Every time we visit a medical facility for a procedure, operation, or exam, we put our trust in medical professionals. While most doctors deserve this trust, medical errors are always a possibility. Negligence on the part of a medical professional can be devastating for families and can result in expensive medical costs, disfigurement, loss of income, and more. The decision to sue a doctor is never easy.
At Morgan & Morgan, the attorneys in our Winter Haven office will sit down with you, review the facts of your case, and help you determine if a medical malpractice lawsuit should be filed against your healthcare provider. If a medical malpractice lawsuit is right for you, your attorney will walk you through each step of the legal process, from the initial consultation to the resolution of your case. We are among the leading medical malpractice attorneys in Florida and have helped hundreds of patients successfully file lawsuits against negligent healthcare providers and recover the compensation they need.
Contact us today by simply filling out our free, no-obligation case review form . Florida’s Statute of Limitations states that personal injury cases have to be brought in a specific time limit in order to be considered. You may be running out of time.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
If you suffered an injury or illness after visiting a healthcare professional, the law may work in your favor. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff are required to adhere to certain standards when providing medical care. If that standard isn’t met, and a patient suffers an injury due to medical malpractice, the doctor can be held liable. For example, if a doctor misreads an ultrasound and fails to correctly diagnosis his or her patient’s medical condition, the patient may be considered a victim of medical malpractice.
Furthermore, the law in Florida requires that doctors and other healthcare providers inform a patient of the possible risks associated with a recommended medical procedure. If a doctor fails to inform his or her patient of the potential side effects or dangers of a procedure or treatment, and the patient suffers those side effects, the patient may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit for the doctor’s failure to obtain informed consent.
How an Attorney Can Help With Your Medical Malpractice Claim
- Collect All Necessary Medical Evidence: Your Winter Haven attorney will gather all necessary medical records to help support your claim for compensation. Your attorney may also retain a medical expert to review the evidence in your case and help determine if your injuries were caused by medical malpractice. If your case goes to trial, the medical expert may also be called upon to explain to the judge and jury the extent of your injuries and any procedures you will need in the future.
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Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies for doctors and hospitals often offer patients quick cash settlements to give up their rights to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. If a settlement offer is received in your case, your medical malpractice attorney will help you evaluate it to determine if you are being provided with fair compensation. If the settlement offer is inadequate, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company for a higher amount.
- Prepare Your Case for Trial: If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, your attorney will prepare your case for trial. The medical malpractice attorneys at Morgan & Morgan are experienced trial lawyers and our reputation and experience give us a distinct advantage in the courtroom.
What Can I Recover in a Medical Malpractice
Lawsuit?
Through a medical malpractice lawsuit, you may be able to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of consortium
If your spouse, parent, or child died as a result of injuries linked to medical malpractice, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit and recover compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, and loss of support or consortium. Each case is different and results may vary.
Types of Medical Malpractice
Our attorneys have experience handling the following types of medical malpractice lawsuits:
- Surgical errors, including anesthesia errors and postoperative negligence
- Emergency room errors
- Injuries caused by dangerous prescription drugs or defective medical devices
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- OB/GYN negligence
- Birth injuries
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, including misdiagnosis of cancer
- Pharmacy malpractice, including medication errors
- Failure to refer a patient to a specialist
- Radiation injuries
- Ordering an improper test or procedure or failure to accurately interpret test results
- Failure to listen to the patient
- Misread x-rays and ultrasounds
- Plastic surgery malpractice
- Psychiatric malpractice
If you suffered a grave injury or illness after recently visiting a health care professional, you may have been a victim of medical malpractice. To learn more, contact our Winter Haven office by filling out our free case review form.