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Medical
Malpractice
Medical malpractice injuries are
frequently very serious, causing permanent limitations to normal
functioning or wrongful death. If medical negligence has resulted in
an injury to you or a family member, hire an experienced medical
malpractice law firm with the skill and resources to prove your
case. Medical Malpractice cases can arise from the negligence
of a doctor, surgeon, hospital, physician assistants, dentists,
chiropractors, ambulance drivers, EMTs, psychologists,
physical therapists or nursing staff. In addition, medical
negligence cases often involve negligent design, manufacture of a
medical device or pharmaceutical (i.e. medications) products.
These types of claims often involve complex class action litigation,
therefore it is important to consult a legal professional like the
staff at NRS.
Medical malpractice occurs when a negligent act or omission by a
doctor or other medical professional results in damage or harm to a
patient. Negligence by a medical professional could include an error
in a diagnosis, treatment or illness management. If such negligence
results in injury to a patient, a case could arise against the
doctor if his or her actions deviated from generally accepted
standards of practice; against the hospital for improper care, such
as problems with medications, sanitation or nursing care; or against
local, state or federal agencies that operate hospital facilities.
Medical malpractice laws are designed to protect patients' rights to
pursue compensation if they are injured as the result of negligence.
However, malpractice suits are often complex and costly to win.
While theoretically, you can seek compensation for any injury caused
by negligence, regardless of its seriousness, time and money make it
unrealistic to pursue a case for an injury that is minor or heals
quickly. Therefore, if you believe you have a medical malpractice
claim, it is important to consult with an attorney who can help you
determine whether your claim is economically viable.
During your free initial consultation we will review your situation
and help you determine how to proceed with a medical malpractice
claim. We have obtained significant awards for people injured by the
negligence of medical personnel, and will put that experience to
work for you.
Patients who suffer catastrophic injuries due to medical malpractice
are often told that their injuries are part of the risk involved in
their medical treatment. Present-day medical practice often limits
physician visits, length of hospital stays, and the types of drugs
available. Medical personnel can be rushed, poorly trained, or badly
supervised. All these situations can lead to negligent treatment,
including:
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Failure to diagnose a disease
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Misdiagnosis Illness
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Incorrect treatment of a diagnosed
illness
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Failure to monitor a patient
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Medication errors, such as using
the wrong drugs or prescribing the wrong dose
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Improper use of a medical device
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Unnecessary surgical procedure
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Surgical errors, such as operating
on the wrong body part or leaving medical instruments in a
patient following surgery.
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Hospital-caused illnesses,
including staph or MRSA infections resulting in urinary tract
infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia
In many situations where medical care
or treatment is provided to an individual, medical professionals are
required to obtain the patient's "informed consent." Although the
specific definition of informed consent may vary from state to
state, it means essentially that the patient has made a knowing
decision about a medical treatment or procedure after a doctor or
other health care professional discloses all the information a
reasonably prudent medical provider would give to a patient
regarding the risks involved in the proposed treatment or procedure.
If the health care provider fails to obtain informed consent, the
patient may have a legal claim for damages. An experienced medical
malpractice attorney can help you determine whether you have a claim
and represent your interests throughout the legal process.
To establish a case for medical malpractice, the plaintiff must
prove that the defendant had a duty to the plaintiff, that the
defendant failed to meet the standard of care owed to the plaintiff,
that the mistake actually caused the patient's injury and that the
doctor or other medical professional's negligence damaged the
patient. Proof of causation can be a difficult issue in a medical
malpractice case. For one thing, the injuries generally involved in
medical malpractice cases require specific medical training to
understand, and the normal patient may not know the cause of such
injuries. It is important to contact an experienced medical
malpractice attorney who can evaluate your situation and work with
the appropriate medical experts to prove causation.
If you or member of your family has suffered a serious personal
injury or wrongful death due to the negligence of a medical
professional or facility, please contact NRS and we will provide a
free initial consultation.
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