All procedures and operations in the medical field have their risks, and there is no way one can predict what might happen. Therefore, an undesired result alone is insufficient to hold a doctor accountable for damages. There must also be evidence that the doctor failed to follow the medical standard of treatment. Once the proof is in order, a medical malpractice trial can occur. Additionally, even if the doctor made a mistake or failed to follow the accepted medical standard, you must also prove that the doctor's actions caused harm to the patient. A successful lawsuit is unlikely if the doctor's error did not conclusively cause the patient's injury.