Get Justice With A Providence Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical negligence, a Providence medical malpractice lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Many people have a misunderstanding about medical negligence. The attorneys at DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., talk to individuals every day who call to ask us whether a persistent medical problem or unsuccessful surgery might be the result of medical malpractice. The truth is, proving a case for medical care that does not meet professional standards is actually a two-part legal issue.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a health care provider fails to provide a standard of care that a patient reasonably expects, resulting in harm, injury or death. Catastrophic medical malpractice can include:
- Birth injuries: To the mother or child during childbirth, such as brain damage due to lack of oxygen
- Surgical errors: Operating on the wrong body part or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient
- Medication errors: Administering the wrong medication or dosage
- Anesthesia errors: Giving too much or too little anesthesia
- Diagnostic errors: Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
In many cases, the injuries done by medical malpractice cannot be undone, and victims are left with profound, permanent disabilities.
Why Does Medical Malpractice Happen?
Medical malpractice can occur for several reasons. Sometimes, health care professionals are overworked or fatigued, leading to mistakes. In other cases, inadequate training or lack of communication between medical staff can result in a misdiagnosis or improper treatment.
Why Work With A Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice claim is three years from the date of the injury or one year from the date the injury is discovered, whichever is earlier.
If you fail to submit your claim within the time limit, your case’s strength may diminish, lowering your ability to file for compensation. Compensation individuals and families can receive for a medical malpractice case include:
- Economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages
- Noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering
- In wrongful death, families can seek compensation for funeral expenses and loss of companionship
In this case, it is best to work with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. They can guide you through the technical process, gather evidence and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure the most favorable outcome. Also, a skilled medical malpractice lawyer can provide support and guidance throughout the legal process, offering peace of mind during a difficult time.
At our firm, we believe patients need information to select a doctor or hospital that meet their needs. Call us first with your questions about substandard medical care: 401-354-7233.
1. Was Your Medical Treatment Below A Standard Of Care?
We must show that the injury was caused by a decision or course of conduct that was below an accepted standard of medical care, and we will need to employ one or more medical experts to prove that fact.
2. Was The Injury Permanent And Significant?
We must prove to the court that your injury was not only serious, but that it was permanent. If you’re going to recover from that injury, then we may not have a case.
3. Was The Injury Caused By The Substandard Care?
Very simply put, we have to prove a link between the substandard care and the serious, permanent injury that you received. Again, we will often employ outside experts who know about your type of injuries.
Misdiagnosis
If your doctor took every standard precaution and followed accepted medical procedures, but arrived at the wrong diagnosis, it does not necessarily mean they were negligent. To win your case, we will have to prove that your doctor, surgeon or other health care provider failed to meet the standard level of care expected by other health care providers in the same field or specialty. This also applies to incidents that happen in the delivery room.
Improper Treatment
We must also prove that the medical treatment prescribed and followed for your diagnosed disease or injury met acceptable medical standards. That includes X-rays, MRIs and other test results that were read properly and used appropriately to guide treatment options. If your doctor was unsure of the results, but failed to refer you to a specialist or refer your case to a diagnostic specialist, you may have a case for not meeting the standard and accepted level of medical care.
Resulting Injury
Proving misdiagnosis and inappropriate medical treatment may not be enough to prove that your medical care did not meet the expected standards, unless you can also show that the treatment you received caused you additional medical harm. Not curing your disease is typically not enough to prove that your medical care did not meet expected standards, unless we can show a significant financial loss directly related to the inappropriate care.
Questions We Ask In Medical Malpractice Cases
If you suffered an injury and financial loss after receiving treatment by a doctor, surgeon or other health care provider, we ask these three basic questions:
- Did the doctor do everything reasonable to ensure a proper diagnosis?
- Did the diagnosis and treatment lead to additional injury or illness?
- Did the additional injury or illness lead to increased pain and financial loss?
At DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., we believe that each doctor and hospital has a responsibility to their patients and the community to provide the highest level of preventive care, diagnosis and medical treatment up to the standards of their profession.
Contact Our Legal Team
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you may have a legitimate claim for compensation for injuries resulting from substandard medical care by your health care provider. Contact DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., in Providence, Rhode Island, to discuss your case with one of our experienced lawyers. We represent clients throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
You can call us at 401-354-7233 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation.