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Anytime you visit a doctor and a procedure is necessary to treat your condition, you will be required by the physician to fill out an informed consent form. These documents serve the purpose of informing you, the patient, of the risks and benefits associated with the proposed treatment. If you accept these terms, then you sign a form indicating that you have received information regarding your care and you give the physician permission to treat you.

There are certain elements that should be present in all informed consent forms:

• Detailed explanation of the proposed procedure or form of treatment
• Explanation of the risks associated with the treatment
• Explanation of the benefits associated with the treatment
• Any alternative treatment options available to you
• The risks and benefits associated with these alternatives
• The consequences associated with not accepting any treatment option at all

A patient is permitted to sign an informed consent form if he or she has adequate decision-making capacity. This means that he or she is able to read and understand the form, and then make an educated decision on whether or not to accept treatment. The family members or guardians of patients who lack decision-making capacity will make the choice instead.

If you would like to learn more about informed consent or if you have been a victim of medical malpractice, then the St. Petersburg medical malpractice lawyers of Beltz & Ruth, P.A. can help. Contact us today at 1-800-931-4369 to speak with an experienced attorney about your legal options.