Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional–e.g. doctor, surgeon, nurse–commits an error in prescribing medicine, performing a procedure like surgery, or anything else that constitutes treatment. If this error causes harm to the patient in any way and can be proven in a court of law, that is a case of medical malpractice.
When you go to a hospital or facility for a medical procedure (e.g. surgery), you expect that the professionals in charge will complete it with precision and success. But, this isn’t always the case. Human error can occur in any situation. In medicine, human error can cause irreparable damage, even death.
If you suspect that you’ve been a victim of human error during a medical procedure or other form of treatment, contact The Villari Firm today to speak with a trusted Harrisburg medical malpractice lawyer who can answer all your questions with a free consultation.
If you suspect that you received substandard medical care, call 215-372-8889 or contact us online. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case.
Knowing If You Have Malpractice Case
It’s important to understand the difference between a disappointing medical result and medical malpractice–they are not the same thing. If a medical professional follows protocol exactly as intended and a patient ends up harmed in some form or fashion, that is not a clear case of medical malpractice and may be highly difficult to prove otherwise.
The best way to know if you have a valid claim is to speak with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Harrisburg, PA, who can answer your questions and tell you how much you can expect to win in a settlement.
What to Do If You’re Hurt by a Doctor
The most important thing you can do if you believe you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice is speaking with a medical malpractice lawyer in Harrisburg like the ones at The Villari Firm. We’ve specialized in medical malpractice cases for 25 years and can answer any and all questions regarding your claim.
If you’re still unsure about whether or not you have a valid medical malpractice claim, contact The Villari Firm today for a free, confidential consultation. Since 1998, our medical malpractice lawyers in Harrisburg, PA have argued and won over $125 million in settlements for our clients to date.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice
Misdiagnosis
A misdiagnosis can lead to a host of complications for a patient. Harmful, unnecessary treatments, medications, and procedures can stem from a misdiagnosis, and may cause irreparable damage, injuries, even death.
Additionally, if your real affliction goes unnoticed or neglected, it may become exacerbated and lead to further, more severe medical issues.
Surgical Errors
Due to the complexity of surgical procedures, there’s a very real chance for mistakes to occur whenever someone goes under the knife. Surgery is terrifying enough without having to worry about a surgeon performing to the highest standard of care, though. The Villari Firm stands steadfast by our clients in ensuring they’re compensated for any harm endured due to surgery errors.
Anesthesia Mistakes
Anesthesia is a vital treatment for pain management normally administered by a medical professional (anesthesiologist) experienced in its application. Anesthesia mistakes can result in severe consequences to the patient, including permanent brain damage and death. The following are some of the more common ways an anesthesiologist can commit medical malpractice:
- Faulty medical devices used during procedure
- Failure to properly monitor patient under anesthesia
- Wrong type of anesthesia used
- Patient allergic to anesthesia
- Anesthesia not delivered on time as intended
- Adverse drug interactions
- Too much anesthesia administered
- Too little anesthesia administered
Complications that can result from anesthesia mistakes include cardiovascular collapse, heart attack, stroke, seizure, hypoxia, birth injury, blood pressure complications, coma, and death.
Incorrect Medication
If you’ve been prescribed incorrect medication–wrong dosage, medication you’re allergic to, bad combination of medications–that led to any kind of harm, you have a viable medical malpractice claim. You deserve compensation for your suffering.
Receiving the wrong kind of medication from a physician can result in catastrophic consequences for you or your loved one. Speak with The Villari Firm today to find out how we can help.
Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can occur when a medical professional commits a mistake during childbirth and the mother or child are injured or harmed in some way. These kinds of injury can run the spectrum of severity, from mild to debilitating.
Medical professionals normally insure themselves against cases of malpractice like birth injuries. The Villari Firm is experienced in either litigating against or negotiating with insurance companies to get our clients maximum compensation for their pain and suffering.
Proving a Malpractice Case
To claim medical malpractice, you MUST prove the following in a court of law:
- Failure to adhere to protocols: Medical professionals have a code of conduct and standard of care for every procedure or treatment applied. If a healthcare provider failed to work to this standard, you may have a medical malpractice case.
- Factual cause of harm: If standard of care was not met and you can prove that, you must then prove that the mistake caused your damages.
- Damages: What harm was caused to you due to the standard of care not being met? What injuries did you sustain due to a medical mistake?
- Certificate of Merit: In Pennsylvania, plaintiffs must obtain signed testimony from an expert witness (normally a medical professional like a surgeon or physician) that supports the validity of their claim.
How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Helps
A malpractice attorney, like the ones at The Villari Firm, gives you the best chances of receiving compensation you deserve for your malpractice claim. A medical malpractice lawyer is well-equipped to handle a number of complex tasks, including:
- Investigating your claim
- Hiring experts to validate your claim
- Negotiation with defendants or insurance co.
- Corresponding with defendant’s lawyers, the judge, expert witnesses, and medical experts
- Litigating your case in court
Medical Malpractice FAQ
Can I Sue for Medical Malpractice?
Yes, you can sue for medical malpractice. Make sure you have evidence proving all of the aforementioned in order for the court to consider your medical malpractice claim.
How Much Does a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Cost in Harrisburg?
Total costs for a medical malpractice lawyer in Harrisburg vary depending on the range of services performed. The most important thing to know is that medical malpractice lawyers normally only get paid when you get paid, so there’s no upfront costs.
For more information about your claim, contact one of the medical malpractice experts at The Villari Firm today.
What Kind of Damages Can I Get from My Medical Malpractice Case?
The damages you can receive from a medical malpractice claim are economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic damages are quantifiable through documents like invoices, paystubs, or anything else that can prove that your financial situation was impacted by medical malpractice. Non-economic damages include bodily harm and mental anguish and are less easily compensated.
Punitive damages result in the defendant being charged with criminal activity of some sort. Punitive cases carry severe fines, punishment, and even business license suspension for the guilty.
What is the Statute of Limitations on Medical Malpractice Claims?
The statute of limitations to file a medical malpractice claim in Harrisburg, PA–and all of Pennsylvania–is two years. In other words, you cannot seek damages for medical malpractice in a court of law after the two years following a faulty medical procedure.
Talk with an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer at The Villari Firm
If you’re looking for a medical malpractice lawyer in Harrisburg, PA, call the medical malpractice specialists at The Villari Firm today. We’ve been winning cases and getting our clients paid for almost 25 years.
If your medical malpractice claim has been rejected, or if you’re unsure if you have a legitimate case, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
Contact The Villari Firm, PLLC today for your free consultation.
