Medical Malpractice Attorney Serving Clients Near Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Arlington, Irving & North Texas
Primary care physicians are on the front lines of our healthcare system. Family practitioners, internists, OB/GYNs, and pediatricians play crucial roles in managing your overall health, providing routine care and treating common illnesses.
These providers’ responsibilities extend beyond immediate treatment, though. They are also tasked with recognizing when a patient’s condition requires the expertise of a specialist.
At Polewski & Associates, we understand the critical nature of timely specialist referrals and have decades of experience representing patients who didn’t receive the referrals they needed.
Our firm stands out due to our focused expertise and personalized approach, ensuring that each case gets the meticulous attention it deserves from our lead trial lawyer, John Polewski. We are committed to holding healthcare providers accountable when their negligence leads to patient harm.
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“John and his staff were patient, informative, professional, proactive and followed up. John personally visited me in the hospital…”– Robin P.
Recognizing Malpractice: The Duty to Refer
A primary care doctor’s failure to refer patients to specialists when needed can constitute medical malpractice. Consider scenarios where a patient with potential cancer symptoms isn’t referred for further evaluation, or a child with persistent breathing problems isn’t sent to a specialist. These failures can lead to serious complications or even death, highlighting the importance of appropriate referrals in healthcare.
Consequences of Failing to Provide Timely Referrals
The failure of a primary care doctor to provide timely referrals can lead to serious consequences for the patient. This could:
- Delay necessary treatment for serious or life-threatening conditions, resulting in worsening symptoms or progression of the disease.
- Lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, causing unnecessary harm to the patient.
- Increase medical costs, including costs related to hospitalizations or emergency interventions.
- Result in irreversible damage or loss of function, especially in cases involving neurological, orthopedic, or vascular issues.
If harm is done due to the failure to refer, it could result in a malpractice lawsuit against the doctor.
Damages You May Be Able to Recover in a Referral-Related Malpractice Case
In a referral-related malpractice case, one might recover:
- Compensatory damages for economic losses like medical expenses and lost wages, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
- Punitive damages if there’s evidence of gross negligence or malicious intent.
- Statutory damages (in certain jurisdictions), which aim to compensate the victim, punish the offender, and deter similar misconduct in the future.
Why Choose Polewski & Associates?
Our experienced team at Polewski & Associates has handled many cases where delays in specialist consultations led to worsened medical conditions. From undiagnosed cancer to untreated infections, these oversights can result in preventable tragedies.
We have successfully represented clients affected by such negligence, ensuring they receive the justice they deserve. Our firm specializes in medical malpractice, supported by decades of experience in navigating the complexities of these cases.
When you work with us, you can rest easy knowing John Polewski, a certified Personal Injury Trial Law Specialist, will personally handle your case. We are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive legal support throughout Arkansas and Texas.
Take Action Today
If you believe you or a loved one has suffered due to a primary care doctor’s failure to refer, don’t hesitate to seek expert legal advice. Contact Polewski & Associates to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more about your rights. Call our Dallas office at 972.230.6200.