What is medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice is an action or a failure to act by a physician, nurse, specialist or other medical professional that negatively affects your health.
What behavior is considered medical malpractice?
Many different behaviors may be considered medical malpractice. Examples of medical malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosis
- Failure to conduct the appropriate medical tests
- Birth injuries resulting from a physician’s negligence
- Wrongful death
- Spinal cord injuries resulting from a physician’s negligence
- Failure to diagnose cancer, impending heart attacks, appendicitis, or other common conditions
- Traumatic brain injuries resulting from a physician’s negligence
- Failure to treat
- Medication and pharmaceutical errors
What must I prove to win a medical malpractice case?
To recover compensation for a medical malpractice claim, you must show that:
- A duty was owed to you
- The duty was breached by a doctor or medical professional
- That breach resulted in an injury to you
- You suffered emotional or financial losses as a result of that injury
What compensation am I entitled to receive?
In a medical malpractice suit, you may be able to receive compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Funeral and related expenses (if a wrongful death case)
- Pain & suffering
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Punitive damages
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit?
Each state has its own statute of limitations, which is the time you have file suit. The statute of limitations begins to run on the date of the injury. If you have been injured, you should immediately contact an attorney to determine how long you have to file suit.
What should I do if I am a victim of medical malpractice?
If you have been injured due to a doctor’s actions, you should consult a Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia medical malpractice attorney or other qualified lawyer who can assist you. You may not want to bring a claim against your physician, especially if he or she has been your doctor for a long time. However, everything you discuss with your attorney will be remain confidential and a case will be brought only if you decide it should be. If you have been injured, contact a Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC medical malpractice attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P. today for an initial consultation.
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