Medical Malpractice
Medical Malpractice
It’s only natural to place our trust in medical experts. Most of the time, doctors are worthy of that trust, protecting us from injury and illness. If you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, you may feel betrayed and angry that the very person meant to heal you has hurt you. The negligence of an expert should never be overlooked, especially when the cost is your health.
At O’Donnell Law Offices, we’ve spent decades helping people like you get justice, as well as compensation for additional medical expenses, lost income, and more.
Standard of Care
All medical malpractice cases rest on the concept of “standard of care.” It’s a legal term, a set of guidelines that all healthcare providers have to follow (and all patients are entitled to receive). Unfortunately, patients don’t necessarily know this term or what it means for them.
These guidelines are created by the medical community. They tell doctors what tests should be ordered when patients show certain symptoms, or what procedures they should use for certain illnesses or injuries.
Medical malpractice is what happens when doctors fail to meet the outlined standard of care. If you contact us for a consultation, we’ll go over the details of your case and figure out how it fits into the guidelines.
In Pennsylvania, all medical malpractice cases also require a “certificate of merit.” This certificate is a statement from another doctor, one who’s in the same field of medicine as the doctor who was negligent in your case. On the certificate, the second doctor states that they would have acted differently had you visited them. They’re claiming that, in their professional opinion, the first doctor deviated from the standard of care.
Other important evidence includes your medical chart, the negligent doctor’s notes, and the history of care provided.
Examples of Medical Malpractice
Not every negative outcome or unsuccessful treatment is medical malpractice. Many procedures come with certain risks that are explained and agreed to by the patient or caregiver.
When doctors deviate from the standard of care, however, the law views it as medical negligence. Some common types of medical negligence include:
- Misdiagnosis
- Delayed diagnosis
- Failure to treat
- Surgical errors
- Birth injuries
It’s important to note that in the case of defective medical equipment, it’s the medical manufacturer who’s held liable, not the healthcare provider. Our team can help you determine who’s at fault and how best to approach the case.
Let Us Put You On
the Path to Justice
If you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, filing a claim can help you cover medical costs, receive compensation for lost wages, and, most importantly, gain closure on a painful chapter of your life. No one should ever come to harm because of a medical professional’s negligence.
Here at O’Donnell Law Offices, we’ve helped many patients just like you. Call us today at (570) 821-5717 to schedule your free consultation.