Medical malpractice can be devastating for a patient and their family, especially when negligence leads to death or serious and costly long-term injuries. Unfortunately, medical malpractice is becoming more common in the United States as a whole. Research by Johns Hopkins University shows that medical malpractice is now one of the three leading causes of death in the country.
Medical malpractice deaths and injuries can be avoided when medical professionals apply the required standard of care. If you or a loved one suffered from injuries and additional medical expenses due to medical malpractice, do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine as soon as possible.
A member of our dedicated and compassionate team can review your case in a free consultation. We can work tirelessly to hold the at-fault party to account. Call the office of a Clearwater medical malpractice lawyer for help now at 1-800-747-3733.
Examples of Medical Malpractice Claims
According to Hofstra University, there were 433,151 cases of legal actions involving medical malpractice between 2006 and 2016, with Florida in the top four states with the highest number of medical malpractice claims in the country. Medical malpractice can arise in many different circumstances. However, in order to have a claim, a victim has to show that a medical provider and/or institution acted negligently. Medical malpractice cases can involve:
Misdiagnosis
A misdiagnosis can cost lives. If a doctor fails to diagnose a patient or misdiagnoses a condition, a patient can become seriously ill or die due to receiving the wrong treatment or no treatment at all. A missed diagnosis can happen with a variety of illnesses, such as heart attacks or cancer, for example.
A misdiagnosis or a late diagnosis can have devastating consequences for a patient, leading to a more severe condition or a shortened life expectancy. A misdiagnosis can also expose a patient to the wrong medication, causing them to suffer from unnecessary side-effects.
Surgical Errors
Medical malpractice can arise in many ways during surgery, for example, when a surgeon operates on the wrong site or patients are mixed up. Surgical errors can also occur when instruments or objects are left inside the patient or doctors use non-sterile equipment for an operation.
Early discharge after surgery and improper aftercare can also count as medical malpractice.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia errors can have potentially catastrophic consequences, such as a patient passing away without ever waking up again. An anesthesia mistake can also lead to permanent brain damage.
While anesthesia is never risk-free, doctors have the responsibility to monitor a patient carefully before and after surgery. If an anesthetist rushes through checking a patient’s medical history or fails to monitor the patient adequately, they may be negligent.
Birth Injuries
The birth of a child can be tough for the mother-to-be as well as for doctors and midwives. Doctors may have to make split-second decisions that could have consequences for the health of the mother and baby. If a doctor makes the wrong decision or uses assistive tools incorrectly, a baby could be disabled for life.
Birth injuries can include brain damage due to lack of oxygen, head injuries, and permanent nerve damage, among others. Injuries during labor and birth can lead to lifelong disabilities and cause great emotional trauma and financial chaos.
Avoidable Infections
Good hygiene and timely wound care are extremely important in a hospital context, where infections can potentially develop and spread quickly. Patients who may already be vulnerable due to a medical condition or recent surgery could suffer fatal complications with an avoidable infection.
Infections that can occur, persist, and spread in hospital environments can include respiratory infections, sepsis, surgical site infections, and others.
There can be many more potential causes leading to medical malpractice claims, including the misinterpretation of lab results, not ordering the necessary diagnostic tests, making medication errors, and others.
Your Clearwater medical malpractice lawyer can determine whether you have a claim and could hold a negligent medical professional to account for your pain, suffering, and expenses. Call us now to find out whether you have a claim at 1-800-747-3733.
Compensation in Medical Malpractice Claims
If you are a victim of medical malpractice, or your loved one passed away due to a gross medical error, you could recover compensation with a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation can include economic and non-economic damages, depending on injuries and other factors.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are designed to reimburse victims for any costs incurred due to the medical error and can include:
- All medical expenses and future medical costs
- Lost income and future lost income
- Transportation costs
- Costs for a home health aide
- Miscellaneous expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Victims who suffered significant injury can potentially recover so-called “non-economic” damages. Non-economic damages can be subjective and may include awards for:
- Emotional and physical suffering
- Inconvenience
- Reduced life quality
- Permanent disability
Depending on your individual case, you may qualify for other or additional types of damages. A Clearwater medical malpractice lawyer can assess your claim and advise you on the potential worth of a lawsuit.
What Our Legal Team Can Do for Your medical Malpractice Claim or Lawsuit
Individuals who suffer the devastating health consequences of medical malpractice and negligence in Clearwater deserve justice and compensation. We can potentially help you recover your due by progressing your claim in several ways:
- Filing all the necessary completed paperwork for your claim
- Gathering evidence to prove a medical provider’s negligence
- Calculating and proving your economic and non-economic damages
- Providing the relevant expert witnesses
- Negotiating with the at-fault parties for a comprehensive settlement
- Representing you at trial
Medical malpractice claims are notoriously complex, lengthy, and challenging to prove. They can also be expensive to litigate and may require the testimony of several expert witnesses. However, you do not have to attempt a potentially complicated lawsuit on your own as help is available.
A Clearwater Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can be here for you and work tirelessly to hold the responsible party to account for your ordeal. Do not wait to contact us for legal advice as there are time limits on personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in Florida. Call us now for a free consultation at 1-800-747-3733.
We Can Help.
