A patient falls while leaving the office. Is it Medical Malpractice?

If a patient falls while leaving the office and injures herself, is it medical malpractice? I hate to sound like an attorney, but it depends. If the patient was discharged after anesthesia and was unsteady on her feet, maybe. If the doctor’s medical assistant negligently helped the patient off the examining table, maybe. If the patient tripped over a toy on the floor, that would be simple negligence and covered under the office policy, not the medical malpractice policy. Live and learn!

Courtesy of Frier Levitt