Medical Malpractice Attorney in Huntsville, AL
Huntsville Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical bills can cause a serious financial strain for families. Even relatively minor medical procedures could result in large amounts of debt. Sometimes, exorbitant medical bills may be the result of provider negligence. If you or a loved one believes that your health care provider committed medical malpractice, a Huntsville medical malpractice attorney at Conchin, Cole, Jordan & Sherrod is here to help.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a member of the healthcare system, such as a doctor, nurse, hospital, or another provider, causes harm to a patient through negligence or omission. It can occur at any point during the care process, from misdiagnosis, procedural error, or improper aftercare.
Medical malpractice claims have the following characteristics:
A provider must owe the patient a duty of care. A doctor or other health care provider establishes the duty of care by seeing a patient in an official setting.
The provider deviated from an established standard of care. Medical malpractice laws are based on the principle that healthcare providers must meet established standards of care. Patients have the right to expect treatment that reflects what a reasonably skilled and competent provider would deliver under similar circumstances. When a provider fails to meet these standards, it may constitute medical malpractice.
The patient suffered an injury resulting from negligence. Violating the care standard is only one aspect of a medical malpractice claim. A patient’s attorney must show that he or she sustained an injury that would have otherwise not have occurred, and that it was a direct result of provider negligence.
The patient suffered damages as a result. Medical malpractice claims generally involve large amounts of damages or expenses that a plaintiff suffers as the direct result of malpractice. Two main types of damages exist. Financial damages compensate for medical bills, therapy, and the projected costs of recovery resulting from malpractice. Non-economic damages provide recompense for intangible losses such as pain, suffering, and lower quality of life.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can take many shapes. A patient may experience malpractice in any aspect of health care delivery, from a primary care practitioner’s office to a hospital setting.
- A misdiagnosis, or a failure to diagnose, is one of the most common forms of medical malpractice and delays in appropriate treatment.
- Medication errors are another leading cause of malpractice lawsuits nationwide. Claims may be against a hospital for improper dosage or a pharmacist for improper dispensing. A person may also suffer harm from medication errors when a provider fails to foresee a potential drug interaction or monitor for possible side effects.
- Anesthesia and surgery errors. Though they may represent the minority of cases, errors during surgery or anesthesia can lead to significant harm. A patient may suffer the consequences for a lifetime.
- Errors during labor or delivery. When medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care during labor and delivery, both the mother and baby can face serious harm. Common grounds for a claim include failure to monitor vital signs, delayed response to complications, or improper use of delivery tools.
Why Should I Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Huntsville?
Medical malpractice law is vastly complicated. There are many strict legal standards, proof requirements, and statutes of limitations. An attorney can work through the requirements on your behalf.
Attorneys can build sufficient evidence. A lawyer can gather sufficient medical records, interview witnesses, and most importantly, consult with medical professionals to determine if a provider breached the standard of care.
Maximizing compensation. Hospitals and insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims entirely. An attorney knows how to negotiate with these entities or develop a great legal strategy for a lawsuit, thereby maximizing compensation.
No upfront costs. The Huntsville medical malpractice attorneys at CCJS only charge a fee if your case is won and your damages are recovered.
To get started, all you have to do is fill out a free consultation. Our attorneys, with over 200 years of combined experience, can do everything listed above and more.