Can Medical Malpractice Be a Crime?

It’s extremely rare for medical malpractice to become criminal. When physicians do face criminal charges, it’s typically in the event that they’re committing healthcare fraud or selling or over-prescribing medications—specifically narcotics.

Medical malpractice cases are addressed in civil court. But if a malpractice case is deemed criminal, it moves outside of civil court. The physical victim is no longer the plaintiff; the State becomes the plaintiff.

What Is Healthcare Fraud?

Performing unnecessary procedures can be considered healthcare fraud. Physicians will perform unnecessary procedures in the event that insurance companies (including Medicaid and Medicare) pay to cover the costs. Most often, these procedures will be completely unrelated to the patient’s health problem.

Further, insurance companies have to continue to pay costs for the patient’s extended stay to recover. Additionally, patients may require ongoing treatment even after they’ve been released because they need treatment that helps prevent complications after surgery.

Why Do Doctors Prescribe Unnecessary Medicine?

Doctors or healthcare providers can be criminally charged for prescribing drugs that are not medically necessary. They can also be charged for over-prescribing medication.

Doctors’ will likely argue in court that the patient did in fact have a valid medical reason for the prescription. Whether they have medical notes and records to support this defense is something the State will evaluate.

Doctors aren’t the only ones at risk for drug-related criminal charges; pharmacists can also be tried in court for filling an invalid script.

Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been a victim of medical malpractice, you are urged to contact the attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. An experienced Indianapolis medical malpractice lawyer at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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