Commonly referred to medical malpractice, negligence in medical setting can have serious consequences. In fact, medical malpractice is responsible for hundreds of thousands of patient injuries each year in the United States and as many as 100,000 deaths. Among those harmed, only a small portion – fewer than 15 percent – ever take legal action to recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses and mental anguish.

What is Medical Malpractice Negligence?

Medical negligence refers to a breach of duty on the part of a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional and it is not always easy to prove. It occurs when a healthcare provider fails to adhere to accepted standards of medical care, and this failure results in patient injury.
 
In recent decades, medical malpractice negligence has become increasingly common. Carelessness, miscommunication and doctor arrogance are all causes of medical malpractice negligence and while not always intentional, the consequences are no less devastating. In the worst cases, medical malpractice negligence can result in permanent disability, disfigurement and even death.

Injured by Medical Malpractice Negligence?

If you have suffered any of the following, it’s in your best interest to discuss your circumstances with an attorney as soon as possible:

• Doctor error – for example, misdiagnosis, failure to respond to fetal distress during delivery and removing the wrong limb or body part during surgery
• Nurse error – for instance, failure to follow the physician’s orders or performing a procedure for which he/she is not qualified to perform
  
• Laboratory error – for example, an x-ray is misinterpreted or a biopsy sample is mixed up

These are just some of the more common examples of medical malpractice negligence. If you think your injury was caused by negligence, it never hurts to have an attorney evaluate your case.

Compensation for Injuries

Victims of medical malpractice negligence may be entitled to money for some or all of the losses they’ve endured. In addition to medical costs, recoverable losses often include:

• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity – for instance, because of permanent disability
  
• Disfigurement
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Rehabilitation and other treatment expenses

In instances of death, families of the victim may be able to seek money for loss of a companionship and loss of financial support, among other things. However, recovering compensation for losses must be done in a timely manner. A statute of limitations restricts the time injured individuals (or their families) have to file a claim, so contact an attorney as soon as you think negligence has occurred.

Talk to an Attorney at Burke & Eisner

Make sure your legal rights are protected. Contact a medical malpractice negligence attorney at Burke & Eisner today for a complimentary claim evaluation. We will be glad to explain your legal options to you.

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    --  Fill out the Contact Us form in the Upper Right part of this page.

    --  Use the Contact Us form located on the Instant Answer Page

    --  Call us:  1-800-838-0800

 
 See Also:

    * Medical Lawsuits
    * Medical Malpractice

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