West Chester Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Tough Cases. Tougher Lawyers.
No Recovery. No Fee.
Get Compensation for Medical Injuries
Medical malpractice is an issue that plagues healthcare systems across the globe. Though causes may be wide-ranging, from medical negligence to mistranslation of information between physician and patient, no city or region is exempt from the consequences of such errors. West Chester, of course, is no exception.
West Chester is a beautiful part of the state. It’s well known for the West Chester Downtown Historic District which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other listed buildings include the Bank of Chester County, Buckwalter Building, Butler House, Chester County Courthouse, William Everhart Buildings, Farmers and Mechanics Building, First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, New Century Clubhouse, Joseph Rothrock House, Sharples Homestead, Sharples Separator Works, Warner Theater, and the West Chester Boarding School for Boys. As with any thriving city, there is an extensive medical community and many medical professionals. With that comes the potential for medical errors resulting in a medical malpractice suit.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury due to medical malpractice, it’s crucial to contact a qualified Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Time restrictions apply for filing a lawsuit against a healthcare provider, so delay could severely damage your legal rights.
Even if your healthcare providers let you down, the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman are here to provide the legal support you require. Our experienced PA medical malpractice attorneys serve various areas across Eastern PA, bringing legal assistance right to your doorstep. We’ll work tirelessly to attain just compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Causes of Medical Malpractice
Medical professionals have the immense responsibility of diagnosing and treating patients. However, as they are human, errors can occur which may lead to severe harm. Patients place trust in healthcare providers and must be assured that their well-being is the foremost concern.
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 reasonable and competent medical professionals 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 healthcare 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 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 claims of medical malpractice.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. All medical malpractice claims are 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
Patients depend on healthcare providers for the highest level of care, with timely diagnosis and efficient treatment expected as a right. Professionals carry the weight of making patients well and promoting recovery from injuries or ailments.
However, unfortunate circumstances arise when healthcare professionals neglect their duty of care and as a result, serious harm is inflicted upon patients. In such unfortunate circumstances, legal accountability is essential. Although most medical procedures have inherent risks of resulting in medical malpractice, there are those that often result in more harm than good, such as surgical malpractice.
Our healthcare providers must always be diligent in carrying out their duty of care to avoid these types of errors that can have detrimental consequences.
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 or the wrong diagnosis 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 negligently operate on the wrong body part must be held accountable for the damage they cause.
Anesthesia Errors – Anesthesiologists are held to the highest healthcare 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 Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer will be able to identify the medical error and how the serious 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 damage or damage to the spine. This can be caused by oxygen deprivation or other medical error.
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 doctors and other medical 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 PA 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)
How Much Money Can You Recover In A Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
Each case has to be evaluated by an experienced medical malpractice attorney to determine the potential amount of damages an injured person can recover in a West Chester medical malpractice lawsuit.
Initially, your medical malpractice lawyer will weigh how severe your injuries were; your age and health at the time of the accident; whether you have a job or not, if you were the sole provider for the family, and how many members you supported.
Many other factors must be considered in any medical malpractice lawsuit or personal injury claim. There will be both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages will compensate you for financial costs incurred due to medical malpractice injuries. The idea is to “make you whole” or, in other words, put you back in the financial place you were in before you were injured. Such damages would include:
Present and future medical expenses, which include ambulance fees, hospitalization, surgery, medication, medical equipment, surgeries, and doctor visits
Physical therapy and other necessary and related rehabilitation treatment and costs
Lost Income and wages
Loss of future earnings
Temporary or permanent disability
These types of damages are relatively straightforward. So long as they are related to the accident, they are proven by the medical bills and expenses incurred.
Non-economic damages include:
Emotional distress
Pain and suffering
Disfigurement
Scarring
Loss of consortium
Loss of enjoyment of life
These damages require a different level of proof than the economic damages, as there are no bills to prove the amount. This does not mean the damages are any less real. They require West Chester medical malpractice lawyers with experience and a track record of recovering medical malpractice verdicts.
The best medical malpractice lawyers will know how the insurance company may weigh a claim for these non-economic damages and be able to evaluate what kind of demand they may make and/or argue for in a settlement conference or at a trial.
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 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 West Chester, PA Deserve Compensation -- Contact Our Medical Malpractice Law Firm
Our PA medical malpractice legal team at the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman are prepared to help you get the financial compensation you deserve to pay for 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.
