Medical Malpractice

Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Medical malpractice lawsuits are filed to help injured patients recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering incurred as a result of the medical negligence. Lawsuits for medical malpractice are common in cases of misdiagnosis, wrong site surgery and other forms of medical negligence. However, not every doctor error constitutes medical malpractice, as there is a certain margin of error given to those practicing medicine.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a doctor, nurse or other medical professional, our medical malpractice lawyers can determine whether you can file a medical malpractice claim. To find out if you qualify for a medical malpractice lawsuit, fill out our free case review form today to speak with our medical malpractice attorneys.

Grounds for a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Medical malpractice cases are complex and necessitate the advice of a skilled medical negligence lawyer to determine its worth. Generally, to have a valid medical malpractice claim, the following must be true:

• The medical professional or facility owed a duty to the plaintiff. Generally, any hospital or doctor who accepts an individual as a patient owes a legal duty when they undertake that patient's care.
• The healthcare professional or institution breached their duty to the patient. If the doctor, hospital, nurse, etc. failed to meet a certain standard of care, they will have "breached" their duty to the patient.
• The breach of duty caused the patients injury, and, as a result, the patient suffered damages.

Medical Malpractice Compensation

When a medical professional is found liable for a patient's injury, monetary damages may be awarded for the victim's suffering. These medical malpractice damages compensate the victim for both economic and non-economic losses. Depending on the case, monetary damages can be awarded through a trial verdict or medical malpractice settlement. Typical damages awarded in medical malpractice cases include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of marital benefits
• Emotional anguish

When a healthcare provider's actions are particularly malicious, the medical malpractice victim may also be awarded punitive damages. Rather than compensate the victim for their monetary and non-monetary losses, punitive damages are awarded as a form of punishment for the defendant.

Only a skilled medical malpractice attorney can determine the validity of a claim and the amount of compensation owed for a patient's injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent healthcare provider, you may be eligible for a medical malpractice lawsuit. To find out if you have a medical malpractice case, fill out our free case review form today.