| Most individuals expect prompt medical attention | | | | doing their work. This is a direct form of |
| when they visit healthcare institutions. | | | | negligence on the part of the healthcare |
| Unfortunately, these expectations are not always | | | | providers, as they directly put their patients at |
| met. Many medical clinics are understaffed, and | | | | risk for harm. |
| some patients who come in with treatable | | | | Some doctors may misdiagnose a patient, which |
| ailments leave with long term injuries. | | | | may also lead to delayed treatment. If the doctor |
| But the dangers of delayed treatment do not end | | | | determines that a patient's ailment is not serious, |
| at potential injuries. Depending on the severity of | | | | he or she may tend to other patients before |
| a patient's initial injury or illness, the effect of a | | | | treating that patient. When the doctor is wrong in |
| delayed treatment could be as serious as death. | | | | his or her diagnosis, it could mean serious injury or |
| There are many causes of delayed treatment, | | | | even death. |
| most of which involve some form of negligence. | | | | With each of these negligent actions, the affected |
| In many cases, doctors and nurses have more | | | | individual or his or her family may be entitled to |
| patients than they can reasonably care for, which | | | | financial compensation for any injuries or deaths |
| may be a negligent action on the part of the | | | | that result from delayed treatment. To receive |
| hospital administration. | | | | this compensation, the patient must file a personal |
| In other cases, doctors and nurses may | | | | injury lawsuit against the offending institution or |
| preoccupy themselves or simply wish to put off | | | | healthcare provider. |