Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Medical professionals must adhere to a standard of care when they care for their patients. If a health care provider fails to adhere this standard, and this failure results in injuries or complications for the patient, it may be grounds for a claim for malpractice.

A successful malpractice suit could aid in the payment of medical expenses, reimburse lost wages, and acknowledge pain and discomfort. However, medical malpractice claims are often complex.

Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis is one of the most common medical malpractice claims. This type of case is typically filed by a healthcare practitioner who incorrectly diagnoses a patient's illness or injury. For instance, a doctor might diagnose a patient with pneumonia when the patient in fact has a staph infection. A misdiagnosis could have serious consequences, including death.

According to medical malpractice insurance companies, diagnosis-related claims represent between 9 and 10 percent of claims (obstetrics and 61 percent for pediatrics) or their total claims. However medical malpractice claims data is not comprehensive and could be biased towards more serious mistakes. Furthermore, claims often lapse or are closed without being paid and a large number of errors that are meritorious will never result in a malpractice lawsuit.

To succeed in bringing an action for medical malpractice, the plaintiff must prove that the doctor acted in violation of the standard of care in diagnosing the condition. The lawyer for the plaintiff must show that the doctor's mistake directly caused an actual injury.

The litigation process in the case of medical malpractice is time-consuming, costly and emotionally intense. Even though the majority of medical malpractice claims are settled out of court, attorneys and expert witnesses are required to spend time and money on discovery, negotiations and trial preparation. In addition, physicians are often required to pay for their malpractice insurance premiums while the claims process unfolds. These costs have prompted calls for reforms to tort law, which would reduce the cost of litigation and help to encourage quicker and fair settlements.

Errors of Treatment

When you visit a physician or hospital for treatment, you expect to receive medical malpractice law firm treatment that is consistent with the established practices in your local area. This includes a clear diagnosis and a reasonable treatment program and the proper follow-up to ensure that your health improves. However, mistakes made by nurses, doctors, and other medical personnel can be severe and cause permanent injury or even death.

These mistakes can come in a variety forms. For example, a hospital staff member could misread the patient's chart and then administer the wrong medication. This type of error usually occurs in emergency rooms where the time available is limited and staff members are pressured to provide quick service. It can also happen when a physician treats a condition outside the scope of expertise.

Other types of mistakes include prescribing incorrect medications or giving patients the wrong dose that can cause injury. These errors can be made by doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists and optometrists. They may also be caused by a failure to prescribe or recommend follow-up care required to correct the problem.

Medication errors can lead to an array of serious injuries. When a heart patient is taking a medication, a blood thinner can trigger an extremely dangerous bleeding disorder. It may also trigger a stroke. If you've suffered an injury or lost a loved one to a medical mistake it is vital to consult with a skilled New York medical malpractice lawyer to determine if you are able to pursue compensation.

Negligence

When doctors or medical professionals fail to adhere to accepted standards of care, they may be liable for negligence. This can occur in many different settings, such as hospitals, doctor's office, therapy clinics and nursing homes. If a doctor does not adhere to these standards and the patient is permanently hurt the doctor could be liable to compensate for this harm.

In order to win a malpractice case the plaintiff has to prove that the physician's breach in professional duties led to the injuries. Causation is a legal requirement that is crucial. The breach must be a direct cause for the injury, and the damages must be quantifiable.

In cases involving medical malpractice lawyers representing the plaintiff have to also convince the jury that it is more probable than not that the physician's decision or inaction resulted in the damages sought. This can be a challenge because people's memory isn't always clear or they are in the hands of the other side.

It is important that the lawyer also is aware of how the medical profession functions. This knowledge can be used to prove that the breach of professional duty caused the patient's injury. Medical malpractice cases can be brought in Federal or State courts, and often involve expert witness who can define the standard of medical care that was violated.

Punitive Damages

We assume that medical professionals will provide us with the best care and professionalism. However, mistakes of a serious nature can occur, leading to lifelong injuries or even death. If the errors cause an unjust death, the family members of the victims could be entitled to compensation for injuries they've suffered.

The wrongful death case can involve claims against hospitals, doctors nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists and diagnostic imaging technicians and even manufacturers of medical equipment. Since multiple parties could be at fault, it's often advisable for victims to bring claims against all of them, working with their New York medical malpractice lawyers to determine which individuals or businesses should be sued.

Punitive damages aim to punish the defendant for their actions and discourage them from repeating the same conduct in the future. Contrary to compensatory damages which are designed to address specific damages however, punitive damages can be imposed on a large group of people, and they are typically reserved for those who have committed serious misconduct.

The primary type of damages in the case of medical malpractice lawsuits malpractice is the reimbursement of actual financial losses, such as expenses for medical treatment and lost wages. Your New York medical negligence lawyer can assist you in determining the amount of your damages by providing expert testimony on what is considered to be a violation of standard of care in the area of the case and the specialty. This is a crucial step since without this evidence, your claim may be dismissed at the preliminary hearing.