What if I signed a consent form before the procedure? Can I still sue?

Seeking medical care is often accompanied by an overwhelming flurry of paperwork, and among the most significant of these documents is the medical consent form. This form represents your acknowledgment of the risks associated with a medical procedure. But what happens when things go wrong? Can you still pursue a medical malpractice claim in Alabama if you signed a consent form? Let's delve into the intricacies of this pivotal legal issue.

The Essence of Informed Consent

Firstly, it's essential to understand what 'informed consent' truly means. In the realm of medical care, before undertaking any treatment or procedure, healthcare providers in Alabama are obligated to inform the patient of:

• The nature of the procedure;
• The potential benefits and risks;
• Alternatives available, including their risks and benefits;
• The potential outcome if no treatment is pursued.

The goal is to ensure patients make educated decisions about their health. By signing the consent form, patients acknowledge they've been provided this information and accept the associated risks.

Consent Form ≠ Absolute Immunity

A common misconception is that by signing a consent form, patients forfeit their right to pursue legal action against healthcare providers. This is not true. While these forms detail the risks tied to a particular procedure, they don't offer a blanket shield against negligence or malpractice claims. Here's why:

• Inadequate Explanation: If the healthcare provider didn't provide a comprehensive overview or didn't elucidate potential risks and you faced unforeseen complications, you might have grounds for a claim.
• Negligent Treatment: Signing a consent form doesn't protect medical professionals from suits tied to negligence during the procedure. If their conduct deviated from the standard of care, resulting in injury, they could be liable.
• Errors and Omissions: If you weren't informed about a specific risk which later manifests, it might constitute as a breach of the duty to inform.

The Alabama Medical Liability Act and Consent

Under the Alabama Medical Liability Act, medical practitioners are held to stringent standards of care. Even if a consent form was signed, it doesn't absolve them from adhering to these standards. If a patient feels these standards were breached, they should consult with an experienced Alabama medical malpractice attorney to evaluate the potential for a claim.

Proving the Lack of Informed Consent

To successfully argue that you didn't provide informed consent:

• Show Duty: Establish that the healthcare provider had a duty to disclose specific information.
• Highlight Breach: Demonstrate that the provider failed to fulfill this duty.
• Establish Causation: Prove that the lack of disclosure directly led to injury or harm.

What Should You Do?

If you've experienced complications following a medical procedure and believe negligence is at play:

• Seek Medical Assistance: Prioritize your health. Seek immediate medical care if necessary.
• Document Everything: Make detailed notes of your treatment, complications, conversations with healthcare providers, and any other pertinent information.
• Consult an Attorney: Reach out to a skilled Alabama medical malpractice lawyer to understand your rights and potential avenues for compensation.

While consent forms are integral components of the medical process, they aren't conclusive proof against potential negligence or malpractice claims. Every patient in Alabama has the right to be comprehensively informed about medical procedures and to receive care that meets established standards.

Free Initial Strategy Session

All Initial Strategy Sessions are Free. If you would like to discuss your options, you are invited to fill out one of the Contact Forms. I will attempt to contact you if I think I can help you.

During your Initial Strategy Session, I will asist you in creating a strategy on how to best pursue your claim, whether it be the result of a Car Accident Claim, 18 Wheeler Injury, or, Alabama Workers' Compensation Claim. At your Initial Strategy Session, you will receive the following:

• First - I will listen to your story. You will have a chance to tell everything to someone who wants to hear what happened to you.
• Based on the information that you provide, I will give you my best advice on both what claims you have, and the next steps you should consider to proceed with your claim(s).
• If your claim is something that I think I can help you with, I will explain the services that I can provide for you, and what the next steps are that we should take. We will start working immediately.
• If your matter is something that I do not think I can help you with, then I will attempt to put you in contact with another lawyer that might be able to help you.
• Either way, what should happen is we will put to rest some of the unkowns that you may be experiencing. We will start to shed some light on what you can expect, and how to best pursue the benefits you deserve.

Don't delay getting the recovery you deserve! Contact us today for your free Strategy Session!