Color

The law in South Carolina imposes upon every doctor, hospital, and medical provider the same duty to act carefully to avoid unreasonable risk of injury to others as is imposed upon all other citizens. Every medical provider is obligated by law to exercise that degree of skill and care which is ordinarily employed by the medical profession generally under similar conditions and in like circumstances. The failure to do this amounts to medical negligence or medical malpractice.

The duty to exercise reasonable care and skill includes the duty:

  • to conduct a complete and thorough examination;

  • to use appropriate diagnostic methods;

  • to provide appropriate followup care and attention;

  • to not abandon the patient;

  • to use reasonable care while doing surgery;

  • to timely obtain consultation with or referral to other specialists;

  • to prescribe or administer appropriate medications.

Whenever a doctor or medical provider has failed to exercise reasonable care with regard to the treatment of a patient and that negligence causes injury or death, the victim may be compensated for his or her losses as in other personal injury or wrongful death cases. See "Damages" under "Personal Injury / Wrongful Death".