Upper Darby Medical Malpractice Lawyer
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Get Compensation for Medical Injuries
Medical malpractice has many root causes, from outright negligent medical care to communication breakdown between doctor and patient. This can be the case anywhere, including in Upper Darby.
Upper Darby includes many communities, such as the neighborhoods of Aronimink, Beverly Hills, Bywood, Drexel Hill, Drexel Park, Fernwood, Highland Park, Llanerch Hills, Kellyville, Kirklyn, Oakview, Primos, Secane, Stonehurst, Terminal Square, and Westbrook Park. The area has an extensive medical community and many medical professionals. With that comes the potential for medical errors resulting in a medical malpractice case.
If you believe you have suffered a personal injury due to a medical error, contacting a Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer is critical. There are time restrictions on filing a suit against a healthcare worker, and to protect your legal rights, you have to act in a timely manner.
Your doctors neglected to help you, but an experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney at the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman can assist you. Our office serves areas across Eastern PA, ensuring a medical malpractice lawyer near you will be available. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to win you compensated for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Causes of Medical Malpractice
People depend on doctors and medical providers to diagnose and treat them properly. However, the reality is that doctors and other medical professionals make mistakes – even causing serious injury to their patients.
Medical malpractice can occur due to various factors and a combination of circumstances. Here are some potential root causes of medical malpractice:Negligence
Negligence is a common factor in medical malpractice cases. It refers to a failure to provide a standard level of care that a reasonable and competent healthcare professional would provide in a similar situation. Negligence can manifest as errors in diagnosis, treatment, surgery, medication administration, or post-operative care.Communication breakdown
Communication failures between healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and staff, can lead to errors. Miscommunication of critical patient information, test results, medication orders, or treatment plans can have serious consequences.Lack of informed consent
Medical malpractice can occur when a medical professional fails to obtain informed consent from patients. Informed consent means adequately informing the patient about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a particular medical procedure or treatment so that the patient can make an informed decision.Equipment or technology failures
Malfunctioning or improperly used medical equipment and technology can contribute to medical errors. For example, errors can occur due to faulty surgical instruments, incorrect calibration of monitoring devices, or glitches in electronic health record systems.Inadequate staffing or training
Insufficient staffing levels or inadequate training of a medical professional can increase the risk of medical errors. Overworked healthcare providers may be more prone to fatigue and mistakes, while insufficient training can lead to improper procedures or inadequate response to emergencies.Documentation errors
Accurate and thorough medical documentation is crucial for continuity of care and legal purposes. Inadequate or erroneous documentation of patient information, diagnoses, treatments, medications, or follow-up instructions can lead to medical malpractice claims.Systemic issues
Flaws in healthcare systems, policies, or protocols can contribute to medical malpractice. Examples include inadequate quality control measures, lack of standardized protocols, poor coordination of care among providers, or insufficient oversight and accountability all of which impact patient safety. Each medical malpractice case is unique, and the circumstances and cause of your injury will have to be identified. Medical malpractice claims require a careful evaluation of the specific details and expert opinion to establish negligence or deviation from the standard of care. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will know how to make your case.Common Examples of Medical Malpractice Cases
Many people rely on doctors, nurses, hospital staff, nursing home workers, and other medical professionals to treat them with the highest level of care. Patients have a right to expect a timely diagnosis of an illness and efficient treatment. Professionals are responsible for doing everything possible to make patients well and facilitate recovery from injuries and ailments.
Unfortunately, some medical professionals fail to exercise the duty of care required under the law. They make medical mistakes. When an injury results from a medical professional’s negligence, they must be held accountable. Although medical malpractice can occur with just about every medical procedure, certain procedures are more prone to surgical error and medical malpractice.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers have successfully represented clients in all kinds of medical malpractice claims, including:
Misdiagnosis – Doctors are trained to recognize the warning signs of life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart attacks. Misdiagnosis of a serious medical condition can cause irreversible harm by delaying potentially life-saving treatment.
Failure to diagnose – When a doctor ignores a patient’s complaints about obvious symptoms or fails to test for a particular disease or illness, the results can be fatal.
Surgical Errors – When you undergo surgery, you’re already vulnerable. Negligent surgeons who perform the wrong procedures or carelessly lacerate medical organs during surgery must be held accountable for the damage they cause.
Anesthesia Errors – Anesthesiologists are held to the highest professional standards because improper administration of anesthesia before surgery can have disastrous consequences, including a heart attack or stroke and even death.
Surgical Infections – The contraction of infection can complicate your recovery and lead to additional medical complications.
Prescription Errors – Sometimes doctors and nurses administer the wrong medication, severely damaging a patient’s physical state. More often, doctors fail to prescribe the proper amount of prescription drugs, leading to unnecessary pain and potentially exacerbating the patient’s medical condition.
Erb’s Palsy – Erb’s palsy is a birth-related injury to the bundle of nerves between the neck and the shoulder. When a doctor uses excessive force during delivery, the child can be permanently injured and may have limited mobility for the rest of their life.
Cerebral Palsy – A birth delivery error can also cause cerebral palsy, seriously impacting a child’s brain and nervous system for life. Birth injuries are serious injuries.
Nursing Home Abuse – Nursing homes are supposed to ensure the safety and well-being of our elderly loved ones. However, some nursing home staff members abuse this position of trust and neglect or intentionally mistreat elderly patients.
A PA medical malpractice lawyer will be able to identify the medical error and how the injury occurred and inform you of your right to file the appropriate medical malpractice lawsuits.
More Serious & Potentially Fatal Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice or Medical Negligence
Wrongful Death – Any delay in medical treatment can increase the likelihood of an otherwise preventable condition advancing too far and becoming terminal. An anesthesia error can also lead to wrongful death.
Brain Injuries & Spinal Injuries – In extreme personal injury cases, medical negligence can cause traumatic brain injury or damage to the spine.
Permanent Disability – A doctor’s negligent act can cause a permanent injury that requires a lifetime of care and treatment. These medical malpractice cases are complex and traumatic.
All personal injury cases are emotional and traumatic, but many medical malpractice cases are even more so. This is why taking action against healthcare professionals when serious injuries occur is essential.
*The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman does not offer any guarantee of case results. Past success in litigation does not guarantee success in any new or future lawsuit.
When You've Been Injured, We Will Help
The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman will help you seek monetary compensation for:
Medical Expenses
Hospital bills can be overwhelming, particularly if your accident caused brain & spinal injuries or other serious injuries. Reimbursement for medical bills is an essential part of recovery in an injury case.
Future Medical Treatments
Serious injury to your neck and/or back may require years of medical attention and exhaustive physical therapy.
Lost Income
Recovery for lost wages is essential. In addition, you could be entitled to income continuation.
Timing Matters in Personal Injury Cases
You Need to Act Quickly to Preserve Your Legal Rights
A personal injury case must be filed within a certain period of time as per PA law. A personal injury lawyer can explain what is called the “statute of limitations” in detail. Basically, the statute of limitations on personal injury cases in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of your injury.
After this time has passed, you may be barred forever from bringing a claim. Additionally, your insurance company might require you to provide a statement within 30 days of the accident. Our Pennsylvania personal injury attorney will make sure all necessary documentation for your case is filed in a timely fashion.
Tough Cases. Tougher Lawyers.
The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman is proud of the reputation it has built successfully negotiating and litigating for clients who have suffered personal injuries due to someone’s negligence.
Learn more about this personal injury law firm, the legal team, and its verdicts and settlements. An experienced attorney is what you will need and want if you seek to obtain maximum compensation for your injury case.
PA Medical Malpractice Law FAQs
What Should I Do If I Have Suffered From Medical Malpractice?
The first thing anyone should do is seek new medical treatment. Your health and well-being are paramount.
If you or a family member or other person on your behalf is able, follow these general guidelines. It will protect you, make your case stronger and enable your Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer better evaluate your case:
Obtain copies of medical records.
Collect the names of all the doctors and medical providers involved.
Journal all facts and details you remember about your medical malpractice and care.
Journal your medical treatment and condition.
Keep all new doctor appointments and follow doctor’s orders for recovery and treatment.
Do not speak to the other party’s insurance adjusters.
Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company without your medical malpractice lawyers present with you.
Do not admit fault to any parties or insurance adjusters.
Stay off social media (no comments, photos, or updates on your status)
What Kind Of Damages Can I Recover For Medical Malpractice?
You can be compensated under Pennsylvania medical malpractice law due to malpractice by a medical professional. What you can claim includes:
Medical Bills – Medical negligence can result in a steady stream of expensive and dangerous surgeries, extended hospital stays, and higher health care costs.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation – The need for costly physical therapists during the recovery process can put a terrible strain on a patient’s finances.
Physical Pain and Suffering – In addition to the pain felt from the injuries caused by negligence, a patient may undergo additional surgeries or therapies to manage the injury or correct the problem.
Emotional Distress – A serious illness or medical condition can be incredibly stressful and damaging to a patient’s mental well-being.
Decreased Quality of Life – When medical negligence causes permanent injuries and long-lasting physical pain, the patient may no longer be able to enjoy life. This can impact the entire family.
Lost Income – Medical issues can inhibit a person’s ability to work and diminish their future employment opportunities. Permanent disability may make it impossible for the person to ever return to their chosen field of employment or be able to work.
There are economic, non-economic, and possibly even punitive damages in a medical malpractice claim. In Pennsylvania, there are two main types of damages: compensatory damages and punitive damages:
Compensatory damages are designed to make you whole after an accident. You may suffer both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages include:
Medical bills and expenses
Lost wages
Non-economic damages, by their nature, are more difficult to calculate. This is where pain and suffering, and emotional distress are covered as well in a medical malpractice case. These damages include:
Loss of ability to work
Loss of future earnings
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium
Emotional pain and distress
Punitive damages are a more complex matter with a different standard of proof. They are designed to punish a person for intentional conduct. This means that in a medical malpractice claim, it would be necessary to prove that the injuries were caused by more than negligent conduct.
What Your Medical Malpractice Attorneys Will Do For You?
If you are an injured patient and your injuries are the result of medical negligence, you deserve maximum compensation for your those injuries, and someone needs to be held accountable for their negligence.
An experienced Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney will thoroughly examine the available evidence in your case to determine the exact cause of your injuries. They will determine the identities of all potentially liable parties and work tirelessly to compensate you for your injuries and financial loss.
Our medical malpractice lawyers will assist in all ways necessary to make your medical malpractice case, including:
Investigate the facts of your case
Preserve evidence
Obtain medical records
Locate and question witnesses and interview all parties who can potentially back up your claim
Employ experts to support your claim
Review your medical records to determine the extent of your injuries
Negotiate with the insurance company
Appear at settlement conferences and court dates
Litigate your case in court at trial
Medical malpractice results in painful accident injuries, emotional suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and lost future earnings. Our medical malpractice attorneys will fight to get you the compensation you need to move on. In the worst case scenario, the death of a loved one, our experienced medical malpractice lawyer will fight to get you death or survivor benefits.
Victims of Medical Malpractice in Upper Darby, PA Deserve Compensation -- Contact Our Medical Malpractice Law Firm
The experienced medical malpractice attorney at the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman are prepared to help you get the financial compensation you deserve to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. You can call us anytime or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case.
