Medical malpractice in the United States is the cause of hundreds of thousands of injuries and as many as 100,000 deaths each year. Contrary to popular belief, very few victims ever take legal action even with these alarming statistics. Very few victims of medical malpractice or their families, only 10 to 15%, will turn to a medical attorney for legal support and guidance.
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.
In some cases, the jury will award punitive damages. This is additional compensation awarded to the victim for the purpose of punishing the defendant and deterring future acts of negligence. However, it is important to note that not all medical malpractice cases go to trial. Oftentimes, a medical attorney will try to negotiate a settlement prior 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
You can have your case evaluated for free and learn more about the process by contacting a medical attorney. It is important to learn about your legal rights if you have been injured due to a medical error whether it is by a nurse, physician or the negligence of another healthcare professional. You may have a legal right to financial compensation and an attorney will assist you in obtaining that money.
Tags: medical attorney, medical compensation, medical malpractice, medical malpractice cases, statute of limitations
