Modern medications and surgeries can cure a condition or help people live with a variety of ailments, but many also carry serious risks. Because of the potential complications of many drugs and surgeries, it is important that patients receive all the information they need to make an informed decision. If an individual experiences injuries because he or she did not get essential information from medical staff, there was very likely a lack of informed consent. In some instances, it’s possible for the patient to collect damages with the help of an informed consent attorney. If you or someone you love is currently facing this troubling situation, contact the Philadelphia informed consent lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP.
What is Informed Consent?
Before agreeing to certain types of medical treatment, an individual must indicate that he or she has been well educated about all aspects by signing an informed consent form. Specific types of information the patient must be aware of include these:
- An estimated cost for procedures
- The potential side effects of the procedure or medication
- Existing treatments that may be used instead of the one being recommended to the patient
- The medical professional who will perform the operation and his or her qualifications
- The success rate for the procedure being recommended
- Expected recovery time
- The reason for performing the medical procedure or prescribing the medication
- The risks of the procedure or medication
- Whether the patient’s health insurance plan will cover some, all or none of the costs
Consequences of No Informed Consent
If a patient does not receive all of the information listed above before undergoing certain procedures or taking some types of medications, the consequences can be devastating for the individual and his or her family. For example, a lack of informed consent could result in significant financial strain if an individual was unaware how much a treatment would cost or that his or her insurance plan will not cover it. It could also result in physical or emotional harm if the treatment damaged the patient’s health or if recovery time was significantly longer than expected.
In most states, there are laws in place to help avoid the negative consequences associated with lack of informed consent. In most instances, it is illegal for a health care professional to perform certain procedures or prescribe specific medications unless there is a signed informed consent form. If you suspect your physician or another health care provider may have violated these important laws, it is important to consult a Philadelphia informed consent lawyer like those at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP to find out if your treatment provider violated the standard of care pertaining to informed consent.
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If you have been seriously injured in the state of Pennsylvania by the negligence of another and if you have questions or concerns about your legal rights, please don't hesitate to call. Our Pennsylvania injury attorneys are available 24 hours a day to speak with you, and we welcome all calls at no charge. Contact us today at 215-268-6623.
