For anyone involved in a medical malpractice case against a physician, it may be wise to seek out any substance abuse records along with the doctor’s basic medical records.
With drug abuse problems among medical practitioners increasing, it would only strengthen your case by obtaining any information on the physician that would fall into this category. While it is generally more difficult to obtain any substance abuse records, certain federal regulations require that they be disclosed in certain circumstances, so seek the advice of medical malpractice Southern California attorneys to see if obtaining drug abuse records is even possible. Federal law extends confidentiality to medical practitioners who have been diagnosed or treated for drug abuse, perhaps in a rehab setting, but some cases involving physicians and drug abuse may be made public.
In cases where doctors have failed to keep proper prescription records or have abused prescription drugs themselves, the state board may revoke medical licenses. If a doctor is under the influence of self-prescribed drugs at the time of mistreating or misdiagnosing a patient, and this results in the harm or death of the patient, drug abuse will play a major factor in any medical malpractice claims.
While there have been increased measures put in place to lower the risks of medical malpractice, it does happen and is almost inevitable. This is also true of doctors and medical staff abusing prescription and illegal drugs. Taking immediate action in the form of seeking legal advice and questioning the medical establishment will better help your chances of winning your case
