Gastroenterologists are trained to treat issues within the digestive system, which includes everything from your stomach and intestines to your liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Some of them focus broadly, treating all kinds of digestive conditions, while others stick to a more specific area, like hepatology or gastrointestinal cancer.
When malpractice does occur in this field, the most common issues are misdiagnosis and mistakes during procedures. If you’re dealing with this, you don’t just need a general lawyer; you need an experienced gastroenterologist malpractice lawyer who understands how complicated these medical issues are, not someone who just dabbles in malpractice law.
How Malpractice Happens in Gastroenterology
Even though gastroenterologists aren’t among the most sued doctors, when they do get sued, it’s usually serious. According to malpractice data, most claims are due to things like misdiagnosis or errors during procedures.
Most of the malpractice cases aren’t about general dissatisfaction but about something going very wrong, like missing a cancer diagnosis or causing harm during a colonoscopy. If a doctor deviates from what’s considered standard medical care and that mistake causes harm, that’s when it becomes malpractice.
But proving this isn’t an easy endeavor. That’s why you need a lawyer who knows what kind of expert witnesses to bring in, how to read complex medical records, and how to show that the doctor didn’t act as a reasonable gastroenterologist would have under the same circumstances.
What a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Actually Does (And Why You Need One)
Gastroenterologists are internists by training, which means they’re supposed to apply a certain standard of care. If they don’t, say they overlook obvious symptoms of a serious disease, or perform a procedure carelessly, they can be held legally responsible. But proving that isn’t simple.
Malpractice law is tough. There are strict rules, complex legal procedures, and usually a mountain of medical records to go through. On top of that, hospitals and doctors have entire legal teams ready to protect them.
That’s where a malpractice lawyer comes in. A good one will:
- Investigate exactly what went wrong
- Gather all the necessary evidence
- Bring in medical experts who can confirm that the standard of care was violated
- Handle deadlines, paperwork, and legal technicalities
- Push back when the other side offers a lowball settlement
Without the right lawyer, the chances of winning or even getting a fair settlement are slim. Insurers know how to take advantage of unrepresented patients. They’ll either try to dismiss the case entirely or offer the smallest amount possible.
But a good attorney knows how to fight back and get you compensation for everything you’ve lost, including medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress.
How to Find the Right Gastroenterologist Malpractice Lawyer
Because these cases are so specific, not just any lawyer will do. You want someone who’s handled medical malpractice cases before, ideally ones involving gastroenterologists. The medical details in these lawsuits are not easy to understand.
There’s a big difference between a lawyer who says they “handle medical cases” and one who has taken gastroenterologist-related claims all the way to settlement or trial.
The best way to find someone qualified is through personal referrals; ask any lawyers you might know, even if they work in a different area of law. You can also check with your local bar association, which often has referral panels specifically for medical malpractice cases.
Of course, you can also search online, but if you do, make sure to research any lawyer’s background thoroughly.
And don’t overlook word of mouth. If someone you trust had a good experience with a malpractice lawyer, that’s often worth more than all the ads in the world.
