When a patient suffers harm due to a medical error, the natural assumption is that they have a strong medical malpractice case. However, proving malpractice involves more than just showing that a doctor or healthcare provider made a mistake. One of the most complex and crucial elements of any medical malpractice claim is **injury causation**—the requirement to prove that the medical error directly caused the harm suffered by the patient.
Injury causation, or causation in fact, is a legal principle that requires a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case to prove that the healthcare provider’s negligence directly resulted in their injury. Even if a doctor or hospital staff member made a clear and obvious error, it does not automatically mean that the patient has a viable malpractice case. The plaintiff must demonstrate a direct link between the medical error and the harm they experienced.
In legal terms, causation is typically divided into two parts:
Cause in Fact – Also known as “but-for” causation, this means that the injury would not have occurred **but for** the healthcare provider’s negligence.
Proximate Cause – This involves determining whether the injury was a foreseeable consequence of the medical professional’s actions or omissions.
Even when a healthcare provider clearly deviates from the standard of care, proving causation can be challenging. Here’s why:
1. Preexisting Conditions – Many patients who receive medical care already suffer from serious health conditions. If a patient’s condition worsens, the defense may argue that the decline was due to the underlying illness rather than medical negligence.
2. Multiple Contributing Factors – In some cases, multiple factors contribute to a patient's injury. For example, if a patient with heart disease suffers a fatal heart attack after a delayed diagnosis, the defense may claim that the heart disease, not the delay, was the primary cause of death.
3. Unavoidable Outcomes – Some medical conditions have poor prognoses regardless of the quality of care provided. Even if an error occurred, the plaintiff must prove that the outcome would have been different had the provider acted appropriately.
4. Expert Testimony – Medical malpractice cases rely heavily on expert witnesses to establish causation. Competing expert opinions can create uncertainty, and if a jury is not convinced by the plaintiff’s experts, they may not find in favor of the injured party.
Not all medical errors result in successful malpractice claims. Consider the following scenarios:
- A doctor misreads a test result, but the correct diagnosis is made a few hours later, causing no harm.
- A surgical mistake occurs, but the patient does not suffer any lasting injury.
- A doctor prescribes the wrong medication, but the error is caught before the patient takes it.
Or, quite simply, some medical errors do not cause any harm. In these instances, while mistakes were made, the lack of harm or injury means that a malpractice lawsuit is unlikely to succeed.
It can be frustrating understanding why an attorney may tell you that you do not have a viable malpractice case when the medical error is clear. A simple example that can help illustrate the concept:
If you believe you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence, it’s essential to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. A skilled attorney can:
- Review your medical records to assess whether a clear link exists between the error and your injury.
- Consult medical experts to evaluate causation and the standard of care.
- Build a strong case demonstrating how the negligence directly led to harm.
At Hendrickson Law, we understand the complexities of medical malpractice litigation. If you have questions about injury causation or want to determine whether you have a viable case, contact us for a free consultation. Let us help you navigate the legal process and fight for the justice you deserve.
© 2025 Todd N. Hendrickson P.C.|Legal Disclaimer|Privacy Policy