It is a well recognized trend that medical malpractice law suits are increasing in both frequency and amount of award. A medical malpractice lawyer is a lawyer that specializes in either representing the patient who is suing the medical provider, or representing the medical profession in defending the claim.

As with all negligence claims, the plaintiff will have to demonstrate three things in order to succeed.

1. That the doctor failed in his duty of care to the patient. That he did something that no reasonable doctor would do.
2. That this failure on the part of the doctor could foreseeably lead to the harm that was caused in the case.
3. That the harm led to loss on the part of the patient. Damages will be assessed on the basis of what would reasonably compensate the plaintiff for the harm.

It is common in the US for medical malpractice lawyers to charge on a no win no fee basis. The suit always has serious repercussions on the career of the doctor or health care professional.