When we seek medical attention, we trust in the abilities and knowledge of the professionals seeing to our care. We hope that they offer us the standard of care that is offered to every patient that walks through their doors. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If you or a loved one were injured by the neglect of a medical professional, you have a lot to consider about your legal options. Sometimes, medical professionals cause suffering and death through negligence, carelessness, misdiagnosis, or misjudgment. Medical malpractice is negligence related to a professional that has not met the medical standard of care. The medical standard of care is what would be considered the norm for any competent medical professional. If you need legal advice or effective representation, contact Mattleman, Weinroth & Miller, P.C. We can assess your case and guide you through your legal options.
Pennsylvania medical malpractice
Medical malpractice can be seen in a lot of situations. When a medical professional strays from what would be considered the minimum level of care, you may have a malpractice case. Malpractice can be from a failure to diagnose, delayed diagnosis, surgical mistake, emergency room error, prescription error and overdose, birth injury, anesthesia error, improper consent, hospital-acquired or post-surgical infection, or improper care and follow-up. Many of these situations could have been avoided with the minimum level of care. Medical malpractice cases are unique. These cases involve both medicine and law. It is important to have representation that is well versed in both areas.
Statute of limitations and damages you can receive
Every state has established a statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases. Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations sets a time period in which a person can bring a medical malpractice suit to a medical professional. In PA, the statute of limitations is 2 years for medical malpractice cases. You may be entitled to damages based on your situation. You may be entitled to several types of damages including compensatory, non-economic, and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are those that recover medical costs and lost wages. Non-economic damages are recoverable damages related to pain and suffering. There is no cap on recoverable damages regarding compensatory and non-economic damages. The last is called punitive damages that serve to punish the medical professional. The cap for these damages is 200% of the compensatory damages. Furthermore, 25% of all punitive damages rewarded to victims must be set aside in the MCARE Fund, serving to pay patients whose claims exceed the medical professionals malpractice insurance coverage.
Contact a Pennsylvania law firm with medical malpractice experience
Mattleman, Weinroth & Miller, P.C. is proud to serve victims of medical malpractice. Our firm strives to rights your wrongs and hold negligent medical professionals liable for your injury or illness caused by their actions. If you need a law firm to assess your case, guide you through your legal options, and passionately advocate on your behalf, contact Mattleman, Weinroth & Miller, P.C.