If you or a loved one has been injured due to the carelessness or wrongdoing of a medical professional, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses and suffering. A medical malpractice lawsuit, filed with the help of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney, not only recognizes and helps to amend your suffering, but it can also help to protect others from experiencing similar injuries because of preventable medical mistakes.
A medical malpractice lawyer can help you and your family seek recognition and reparations for your losses. Our medical malpractice attorneys operate on a “contingency” basis, meaning they are only paid if they win your case. It will cost you nothing to learn more about your legal rights and options. It will cost you nothing to pursue the compensation you deserve.
We invite you to use our site to find a lawyer near you who is an expert in medical malpractice cases. Then submit your claim for a free, no-obligation consultation. We highly value and respect your privacy and will hold the information you provide in the strictest confidence. Your information will only be used by our attorneys to determine how they can best serve you.
Online Lawyer Source also provides a wealth of information about medical malpractice topics so that you can learn what you have come here to find. We hope you find this information helpful in your search to seek fair compensation for your unfortunate losses.
Medical Malpractice Information
Medical malpractice, including medical mistakes and negligence, is one of the leading causes of preventable death and injury in the United States. Every year, medical malpractice accounts for nearly 100,000 deaths in our country. In addition to causing tens of thousands of deaths annually, medical malpractice is also the cause of serious and often permanent damage to patients who have innocently placed their lives in the hands of negligent medical professionals.
Of these injured victims, only one in eight will ever seek compensation for their losses and suffering. All of these patients deserve a chance to be fairly compensated for their losses and suffering.
Medical malpractice can involve serious errors such as wrong-site surgery, labor mismanagement, a botched procedure, or other gross mistakes. Yet in most cases, the negligence is less obvious, though equally detrimental. Many medical mistakes occur when a doctor or other health practitioner absentmindedly prescribes the wrong medicine, does not check into a patient”s medical background thoroughly, otherwise fails to meet the acceptable standards of providing prudent and skilled medical care.
Use our site to find a lawyer near you who is an expert in the nuances surrounding your particular state’s medical malpractice laws. Then submit your claim for a free, no-obligation consultation. Conversely, you may choose to learn more about a particular aspect of medical malpractice.
Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
The majority of malpractice lawsuits will never go to trial-a settlement is usually reached in advance of actual court proceedings. All parties in malpractice lawsuits have an opportunity to benefit from a settlement-the defendant avoids a costly and potentially embarrassing court trial, and often settles for less than the plaintiff originally asked. Malpractice lawsuits can help victims recover funds associated with medical care, hospitalization costs, lost wages, quality of life, pain, and suffering, and punitive damages.
More information about malpractice lawsuits is available, and persons who believe that either they or their loved ones might have viable malpractice lawsuits should contact an attorney who has experience representing clients in medical malpractice litigation.
Medical Malpractice Settlements
Research reveals that of the estimated 80,000 victims of medical malpractice each year, approximately one in eight individuals file medical malpractice lawsuits. Medical malpractice is generally defined as the negligent or wrongful conduct of a medical professional who is directly responsible for injury to a victim. Many doctors and medical professionals have insurance that covers them in the event of a liability claim. Approximately 96% of the time, the victim’s lawyer and the doctor’s insurance claims adjuster will negotiate medical malpractice settlements out of court.
There are two types of awards that can be received in a medical malpractice settlement. Actual damage awards refer to the compensation awarded for things such as out-of-pocket expenses, medical bills, and lost income or profits related to the impairment an injury causes. You may also receive compensation for pain and suffering (known as non-economic rewards). The second type of award is given for punitive damages. Punitive actions are awarded less frequently but are considered when the medical malpractice lawsuit involves extreme or willful negligence on behalf of the medical practitioner.
Since the costs of going to court can be very expensive, many large companies and medical facilities prefer to settle out of court. Lower amounts are often awarded through medical malpractice settlements than through jury verdicts. The median range is approximately $125,000 for an out of court settlement versus the median of $235,000 for jury verdicts. Medical malpractice lawsuits can be complicated, and it is important to have all the resources available to you in order to develop a strong case. A medical malpractice attorney is your best advocate and expert in successfully pursuing a strong case, which will yield a just outcome from your medical malpractice settlement or verdict. Some states have implemented caps, or limits, on the amount of money that can be awarded in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Currently, many of these laws are being challenged and negotiated.
Many medical malpractice settlements take place outside of the courtroom because of a relatively high rate of awards being granted to the injured party. States that currently offer arbitration panels for medical malpractice settlements are able to resolve the disputes between medical professionals and patients with decreased litigation time and a greater chance of compensatory awards being granted to the plaintiff.
Establishing if you are eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit is best achieved by contacting a medical malpractice attorney who can properly assess your injuries, discuss filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, and counsel to whether a medical malpractice settlement is your best option. There are specific rules and regulations applicable to medical malpractice lawsuits, including statutes of limitation, or how much time is allowed between the date of injury and the filing of a medical malpractice lawsuit. These laws can vary by state and by the nature of your injury.