What is a Medical Attorney
Medical malpractice in the United States is the cause of hundreds of thousands of injuries and as many as 100,000 deaths each year. As alarming as these statistics are and contrary to popular belief, very few victims ever take legal action. 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 will evaluate your claim to see whether you may have a defendable case and help you determine how much compensation you may have a legal right 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.
Damages that are considered punitive will, in some cases, be awarded by the jury. 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 understand that not all medical malpractice cases will end up in court. Before taking a case to trial, an attorney will most likely attempt to negotiate a settlement.
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. If you are wondering whether medical negligence played a part in your injury or the death of your loved one, it is important to contact a medical attorney.
Having Your Case Evaluated
You can have your case evaluated for free and learn more about the process by contacting a medical attorney. Whether you’ve been injured by a nursing error, a physician’s mistake, or negligence on the part of some other healthcare professional, it’s always in your best interest to learn more about your legal rights. An attorney can help you get the financial compensation that you are entitled to and deserve.
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Tags: medical attorney, medical compensation, medical malpractice, medical malpractice cases, statute of limitations