Knowing that you are the victim of malpractice is much easier to determine than predicting whether you will experience an act of malpractice. Unlike a medical malpractice circumstance, a professional malpractice is more difficult to ascertain, as the injuries you may sustain are not physical or medical. Although you may have felt “wronged” in some cases when dealing with a professional,” you may not be 100 percent certain if malpractice has occurred.
First, professional malpractice is the act of a professional—or industry expert—breaching his or her duty of care or failing to fulfill his or her standards of care. This can include lawyers, accountants, pharmacists, tax preparers, and contractors. In other words, a professional has committed malpractice if you become injured because he or she did not follow the regular procedures of their industry, or acted in a way that any other professional in that line of work would. For example, most doctors or lawyers normally provide a consultation or evaluation of their patient or client before performing any medical procedures or billable work. If your doctor or lawyer fails to explain the terms and conditions of your contract or procedure, he or she is breaching their duty of care by exposing you to potential unknown risks.
Here are a few other warning signs of potential professional malpractice that could help protect you from injury:
- You notice your professional makes numerous careless mistakes that most professionals in their field would not make.
- You notice your professional behaves unethically, makes offensive comments, or violates common professional practices.
- You notice your professional gives questionable or flawed advice.
- You notice your professional willingly takes or suggests “shortcuts” that violate industry regulations or company policies.
Missing the warning signs of an unhealthy professional relationship and becoming the victim of professional malpractice does not mean it is too late. Victims of professional malpractice may be to seek damages depending if you have sustained injuries due to:
- Breach of contract;
- Careless preparation of review of financial documents;
- Failure to disclose;
- Misuse of client funds; or
- Prescription errors.
Professional malpractice can occur in many forms, besides the ones mentioned above. However, if the action (or lack thereof) of your professional has negatively affected your physical, mental, or financial abilities, you may be able to seek compensation for your pain and suffering.
North Carolina Law
Under North Carolina personal injury laws, if you are the victim of medical or professional malpractice by way of negligence or physical wrongdoing, you have up to three years after the incident to file a lawsuit.
In your lawsuit, you can request compensation for reimbursement—refund—for any reasonable medical expenses you may have incurred (up to $500,000), compensation for any wages you may have lost, payment for any property damage, or compensation for pain and suffering, which can reach up $250,000 in punitive damages. In most cases, a personal injury attorney will determine what your case is worth, and fight for your compensation in court.
Contact Your Lawyer
Contacting an experienced Charlotte NC personal injury lawyer will strengthen your chances of receiving the compensation that you deserve. No one should suffer in silence. Contact the lawyers of Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A., and we will fight for you!
Call us today or fill out our free and confidential online case evaluation.
