Dependable Medical Malpractice Representation For Pennsylvania
Last updated on December 2, 2024
Medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States, after only heart disease and cancer. Medical errors can cause permanent injury and death, and the victims of medical errors may have apprehension about challenging a large hospital system or a doctor they’ve gone to for years.
At Phillips Froetschel, LLC, our Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorneys Laura Phillips and Joe Froetschel have more than 40 years of combined experience guiding clients through the complex challenges of medical negligence claims. We have developed a reputation as professional and exceptional attorneys, regularly listed for inclusion by Super Lawyers and rated highly for ethics and legal ability by Martindale-Hubbell.
We are committed to helping our clients earn the outcome they deserve in their claims. If you or a loved one has been affected by medical malpractice, contact us for an appointment to learn your legal options. Call 412-643-0682.
Getting Compensation For Many Forms Of Malpractice
In the years we have been taking these cases, Laura and Joe have helped clients overcome considerable challenges. One of the keys to our success is taking the time to create a custom-tailored plan to help our clients through medical malpractice cases such as:
- Cancer, heart attack or stroke misdiagnosis
- Failure to diagnose
- Neglecting patients
- Surgery mistakes
- Anesthesia errors
- Birth injuries
- Failure to obtain informed consent
No matter what kind of incident you experienced, we can help you by looking to prove the duty the liable party owed you, how they breached that duty, the consequences of that breach and the resulting costs of the injuries.
The Legal Requirements For A Medical Malpractice Case In Pennsylvania
Legally speaking, medical malpractice occurs in Allegheny and Fairfax counties when a medical professional acts negligently while performing their work duties and a patient suffers harm as a result. To prove your case, you must show that the health care professional owed you a duty of care (i.e., was treating you), failed to live up to that legal duty, and as a direct or indirect result, you were injured.
Virtually any medical professional can commit medical malpractice, including:
- Doctors
- Surgeon
- Nurses
- Anesthesiologists
- Physical therapists
- Nursing home aides
- Dentists
Time is of the essence. You have just two years from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) your injuries to file a med mal lawsuit. One important exception affects minor children. A minor who was the victim of medical malpractice can wait to file suit within two years of their 18th birthday.
How To Prepare For A Med Mal Claim
Not every medical malpractice incident is obvious, especially if you are not a medical expert. Still, there are signs of potential malpractice you can watch out for, such as:
- A treatment fails to work as promised
- A negative reaction to medication
- Complications after surgery with no reasonable explanation
- The doctor did not listen to the patient or address their concerns before starting treatment
Keep in mind that medical malpractice is not confined to hospitals. It can happen anywhere someone received medical attention, including outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities and even in your home if you receive in-home nursing care.
If you believe something went wrong and malpractice was possibly involved, your first step could be to seek a second opinion. Another doctor could identify a connection between med mal and the harm you suffered and prescribe a treatment to hopefully reverse it. Meanwhile, the second opinion can be valuable evidence that your original doctor or other medical professional acted negligently with your care.
What About My Medical Bills?
It is no secret that health care in the U.S. can be very expensive. This expense is compounded when you need further medical care to undo the damage a negligent healthcare provider did to you. And it can feel unfair to pay for negligent treatment. But you should still pay your medical bills and seek compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit later. If you have health insurance, that should cover much of the expenses, though you might still be on the hook for expensive copayments. Your insurance provider might agree to alternate payment options to keep them affordable until your med mal claim settles or ends in a jury verdict.
Standing Up For Your Right To Compensation
We are ready to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve while proving in court who is liable for your injuries. If you are looking for a medical malpractice lawyer you can trust at your side, look no further. Our team is committed to recovering maximum compensation for your damages.
Seek Justice Now Because You Matter – Make A Free Consultation
If you need a personal injury law firm that can stand up for you, contact Phillips Froetschel, LLC. Call 412-643-0682 or email us here to schedule your free initial consultation. Our team works on a contingency fee basis. If we do not recover compensation, you do not pay us a dime.