Healthcare providers are trained to help, not harm. When a doctor or healthcare provider in Star Valley makes a mistake, it can lead to lifelong pain for the affected patient.
Fortunately, there are legal options for those affected by these negligent actions. You can file a medical malpractice lawsuit to recover compensation from these liable individuals and the institutions that employ them.
At Edwards Law Office, P.C, we are here to assist with your case. Contact our Etna medical malpractice lawyer to determine how we can help to secure your deserved compensation. Consultations are free.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
According to a 2020 Frontiers in Public Health study shared by the National Library of Medicine, medical mistakes are one of the leading causes of patient deaths. You expect a health care professional to provide you with quality care.
Unfortunately, some of these individuals can deviate from the proper standards of care, leaving you with injuries. When that happens, it is known as medical malpractice.
Some examples of this type of negligence include:
- Failure to diagnose or misdiagnose: Whether they make the wrong diagnoses or ignore lab results, that can be considered neglectful behavior.
- Unnecessary surgery and surgical errors: Sometimes, a provider will recommend surgery that is not medically necessary. Also, during these procedures, they may make mistakes or perform surgery on the wrong site.
- Medication errors: While you expect medication to help your condition, if you are prescribed the wrong medication or incorrect dosage, it can lead to complications.
- Inadequate aftercare or premature discharge: When a provider fails to provide proper post-treatment care or discharges a patient before they are ready to go home, that is negligent behavior.
All of these examples center around the negligence of healthcare providers. If you have been affected by a medical mistake or malpractice, contact our Etna medical malpractice lawyer today.
Who Is Responsible for Medical Negligence?
While you may think that only doctors are liable in these cases, medical negligence can extend to anyone involved in your care. They may include:
- Registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and other nursing staff
- Surgeons
- Anesthesiologists
- Radiologists
- Lab Technicians
- Dentists
- Ophthalmologists
- Chiropractors
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
Anyone with a duty to provide competent care can potentially be liable for medical negligence.
How To Prove Your Health Care Provider Malpractice Claim
When you file a medical malpractice claim, you will need supporting evidence, expert opinions from other medical professionals, and documentation to prove that your injuries resulted from a negligent medical provider.
In these cases, your legal team will need to establish four elements of negligence.
- Duty of care: There must be a duty of care in all cases. For medical malpractice lawsuits, when you go to a provider for help, you have already established a doctor-patient relationship.
- Breach of duty: After showing that a duty existed, it must be proved that the healthcare provider failed to meet the expected standard of care, which is negligence under the law.
- Causation: There needs to be a link that the negligence directly led to your injury or harm. You wouldn’t have been injured if it was not for the healthcare provider’s negligence.
- Damages: Finally, you need evidence that you suffered specific damages due to medical negligence. This can be in the form of medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Trying to prove the element of negligence can be a challenge. For that reason, you will want to have a skilled Etna medical malpractice lawyer on your side. If you are ready to see how the legal team at Edwards Law Office, P.C. can assist, make sure to schedule a consultation.
Possible Compensation in Medical Error Cases
In medical malpractice cases, potential compensation for victims may include several categories of damages. First, there are economic damages that cover specific financial losses. These can include reimbursement for:
- Medical expenses related to the malpractice
- Lost wages due to the injury or recovery time
- Future medical costs for ongoing treatment or rehabilitation
Along with economic damages, non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses. This can include compensation for:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life experienced as a result of the malpractice
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. These punish the healthcare provider for gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
In Wyoming, there are no limitations on the awarded amount. However, there is a statute of limitations, the time to file a claim, which is two years from the date of the incident. If you miss that, you could lose your chance for compensation. For that reason, you will want to work with a medical malpractice attorney to ensure your rights are protected and you get the compensation you deserve.
Get Help for your Etna Medical Malpractice Case
If you have been injured by the negligent actions of a healthcare provider in Star Valley, make sure to contact Edwards Law Office, P.C. We can help you navigate through these challenging claims to help you receive compensation for your injuries and other damages.
Schedule a consultation with our Etna medical malpractice lawyer today.