Malpractice can be described as professional wrongdoings or mistakes that lead to some type of injury. The injury can be physical, legal, or monetary. A malpractice lawyer is an attorney who represents clients in cases involving malpractice. These attorneys are usually well versed in malpractice law as it pertains to the areas in which they practice.
One type of malpractice is called medical malpractice. A medical malpractice case may begin when a patient becomes injured because of the negligence or error of his medical care professional. For example, if a surgeon performs the wrong type of surgery on a patient, that could be considered malpractice. Also, things like sealing a patient's incision but leaving surgical instruments inside his body or giving him the wrong medication may also be malpractice. A medical malpractice lawyer is someone who is knowledgeable in the legal ramifications of medical malpractice and can assist clients in dealing with these types of cases.
Another commonly discussed type of malpractice is called legal malpractice. Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney acts unethically or is negligent in his duties to his client. For example, if an attorney fails to file required paperwork on time and that leads to legal penalties or the loss of the case for his client, these actions may be considered legal malpractice. If an attorney is incompetent and causes his client to lose his case, that may be considered legal malpractice as well. A legal malpractice lawyer would represent a client arguing this type of case.
In some cases, a malpractice lawyer may have a difficult job of helping his client win his malpractice case. This is because the plaintiff has to prove that he suffered some type of harm as a result of a professional's negligent behavior or actions. For example, if a lawyer makes a mistake in court, but his client is not held accountable for it, his client might not have a case against him for malpractice; in such a case, the client suffers no damage. The same holds true for cases of medical malpractice. If a doctor makes a wrong diagnosis, but the patient suffers no ill effects from the improper diagnosis, the patient may have a difficult time winning a malpractice suit, even with the help of an experienced, knowledgeable malpractice lawyer.
A malpractice attorney may strive to help his client recover from different types of malpractice-related consequences. For example, a malpractice lawyer may try to help his client recoup money lost on medical bills. Likewise, if the patient has missed time from work as well as paychecks, his malpractice lawyer may seek monetary damages in order to replace the lost money. Sometimes a malpractice lawyer will try to win a case based on pain and suffering, which can even include emotional distress. In such a case, a winning client may receive a monetary settlement, even if he had no out-of-pocket expenses related to the malpractice.
