Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Mistakes happen in hospitals and doctor’s offices every day. Sometimes, adverse outcomes happen, despite a doctor providing the highest level of care. When injuries occur due to a care professional’s negligence, however, a Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer might be able to help.
If you sustained an injury while under the care of a negligent health care provider, the stress, pain, and financial toll you might be experiencing can be overwhelming. However, you might be entitled to pursue monetary compensation for your injury-related losses by filing a civil lawsuit. To hold the negligent doctor or medical personnel accountable, it could be beneficial to discuss your circumstance with a well-practiced personal injury attorney today.
Types of Medical Malpractice
There are many forms medical malpractice can take. Regardless of the cause of the injury, however, malpractice can result in severe consequences. When a patient is injured, they may benefit from the guidance of a compassionate medical malpractice attorney in Philadelphia. Usually, these claims fall into one of six categories:
- Misdiagnosis
- Failure to treat
- Late diagnosis
- Surgical error
- Birth injury
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis is a common basis for malpractice claims. For example, these claims may occur when a doctor fails to identify the correct illness when examining a patient. A misdiagnosis can result in a patient receiving treatment for the wrong illness—or no treatment at all. Either way, the results can be severe.
Failure to Treat
Mistakes can still occur even when a doctor properly diagnoses an illness, however. Malpractice can also occur when a doctor fails to treat a patient due to a charting mistake or simply forgetting to order treatment.
Late Diagnosis
If a doctor initially fails to identify the cause of a patient’s ailment, it can often be too late to administer the appropriate treatment once the doctor later determines a diagnosis error was made.
Surgical Error
Surgical procedures are some of the riskiest procedures a patient can undergo. Despite these challenges, doctors must adhere to minimum standards of care in order to protect the health of their patients. When a doctor breaches that standard of care, they might be considered to be negligent.
Birth Injury
A medical injury during childbirth can be devastating. These injuries are especially traumatic due to the risk to the health of both the mother and the child. Birth injuries are often the result of mistakes during delivery. However, poor prenatal care can also lead to an injury.
Statute of Limitations for Malpractice Claims
The statute of limitations is a state law that sets the timeframe in which a plaintiff can bring a medical malpractice suit forward. In fact, the court has the right to dismiss any lawsuit filed after the limitations period has expired.
There is little leeway with these deadlines, which makes it critical for a proactive Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer to comply with these statutes. In PA, this deadline is usually two years from the date that the plaintiff learned—or should reasonably have learned—of their injuries or worsened medical condition.
Discussing Legal Options with a Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Attorney
When doctors violate their oath to protect their patients, injuries are likely. If you or a loved one was injured due to a medical professional’s careless or reckless behavior, a Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer could work diligently to ensure your claim receives the attention it deserves. To learn more about the litigation process and how a seasoned attorney might help, call to schedule your initial consultation.
