As a leading cause of serious injury and death in the United States, medical malpractice is responsible for hundreds of thousands of injuries each year and as many as 100,000 fatalities. Very few victims ever take legal action even though popular belief is otherwise and the statistics are so alarming. Only 10 to 15 percent of medical malpractice victims or their families will seek out a medical attorney for legal support.
It is important for those who have suffered injury due to the negligence of a healthcare professional to speak with a medical attorney. A medical attorney can tell you whether you have a viable case against the party(s) that caused you or your loved one harm and determine the amount of compensation you may be able to seek.
The Right to Be Compensated
Various state and federal laws provide medical malpractice victims and/or their families with the legal right to seek compensation for damages suffered due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing. The law does require victims to file a claim within a certain amount of time (called a statute of limitations), but those who file a case in a timely manner may be able to recover damages such as:
- Compensation for monetary losses – for expenses related to medical treatment and rehabilitation as well as wage losses and other expenses caused by the injury
- Compensation for non-monetary losses – for instance, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of a loved one, loss of consortium, etc.
Punitive damages may be awarded by the jury in some cases. This type of compensation is designed to punish the defendant and deter acts of negligence in the future. However, it is important to understand that not all medical malpractice cases will end up in court. A medical attorney will usually attempt to negotiate a settlement before going to trial.
When to Contact a Medical Attorney
As soon as you suspect that malpractice has occurred, you should contact a medical attorney. The following are some of the more common instances of malpractice for which individuals often seek the advice of a medical attorney:
- Surgery errors
- Medication mistakes
- Birth/delivery errors
- Lab errors
- Misdiagnosis/failure to diagnose
- Delayed treatment
- Infection caused by inadequate sterilization
Please note, however, that each case is unique and this list does not provide all possible examples of medical malpractice. Contact a medical attorney if you are questioning whether medical negligence was involved in your injury or the death of a loved one.
Get Your Case Evaluated Today
Let a medical attorney evaluate your case free of charge and inform you of your legal options. If you have been injured due to medical negligence, whether it be nursing error, physician’s error or the negligence of another professional in the healthcare field, it will be in your best interest to learn about your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation, and an attorney can help you obtain the money you deserve.
Tags: medical attorney, medical compensation, Medical Malpractice, medical malpractice cases, statute of limitations