Belle Glade Medical Malpractice Lawyer
When you or someone that you love is injured because of medical malpractice or negligence, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn to for assistance. A well-practiced Belle Glade medical malpractice lawyer could help you determine whether you have a valid claim for medical malpractice and explain your legal options in full. A personal injury attorney from our steadfast legal team could hire appropriate investigators, summon expert witnesses and specialists to thoroughly prove your claim, and pursue maximum compensation for your losses. En Español.
Understanding Medical Negligence
Medical negligence on the part of surgeons, doctors, nurses, specialists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers that causes serious injury to a patient could form the basis of a successful civil claim for damages. Medical malpractice could encompass numerous types of negligence, including:
- Misdiagnoses
- Delayed diagnosis
- Medication errors
- Surgical errors
Anything that results in a patient becoming sicker or injured rather than healthier could create liability for a negligent healthcare provider.
All medical procedures, including surgeries, involve a certain level of risk. In most cases, a patient is required to sign numerous waivers affirming that they understand the risks involved with a procedure and are still willing to proceed. However, these waivers do not safeguard medical professionals from liability if they harm a patient due to negligence.
These waivers, along with additional protections that are in place for healthcare providers, can make medical malpractice cases highly complex. A seasoned Belle Glade attorney with extensive knowledge about medical malpractice and the applicable laws could effectively assist an injured patient with their case and thoroughly represent their interests throughout the entire legal process.
Deadlines for Filing a Medical Malpractice Case
Florida Statute §95.11 gives victims of alleged medical negligence two years from the date of discovering the harm, or up to four years from the date of the malpractice, to initiate a civil lawsuit against a negligent healthcare provider. Even if the individual could not have discovered their injury within four years, their case could be thrown out of court if they try to initiate litigation outside of this time-frame.
An exception to this rule is if the healthcare provider fraudulently concealed the malpractice from the victim, in which case the injured party has two years from the date of discovery or seven years from the date of the malpractice to file a lawsuit. Additionally, the statutory deadline does not apply to a minor if the case commences before or on their eighth birthday. A medical negligence lawyer in Belle Glade could carefully review the statutory limits and determine which aspects are applicable to a plaintiff’s case to ensure the claim was filed within the required timeline.
Recoverable Damages
A claimant’s recoverable damages are typically broken into two categories: economic and non-economic. If the injured party can establish that a physician or other healthcare provider committed medical malpractice, they may be able to recover a wide variety of damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future lost income
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of financial support
- Inconvenience
The injured party could also recover the costs associated with future corrective surgeries related to the accident.
Contact a Belle Glade Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
If you suffered damages because of a doctor’s or other medical professional’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A Belle Glade medical malpractice lawyer could work to help you obtain compensation and pursue all possible means of financial recovery. To schedule a case evaluation, please call or contact our firm online today.