Medical Malpractice Lawyer Charlottesville

Medical Malpractice Lawyer Charlottesville, VA

Medical Malpractice Lawyer Charlottesville, VA - Hand holding law gavelPatients who have been injured by preventable adverse medical error should contact a medical malpractice lawyer Charlottesville VA residents trust. According to multiple studies, preventable medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States today, trailing behind heart disease and cancer. And one of the most common – and deadliest – medical error is a hospital acquired infection.

Any medical malpractice lawyer Charlottesville VA offers has possibly seen an increase in the number of people who have been injured or developed illnesses and disabilities from these infections. And to compound the dangers of these infections is the alarming issue that many of these infections are antibiotic resistant, posing a lethal danger to patients who are exposed.

Surgical Risks

Although many surgeons often warn their patients about the risks of infection that may be associated with a particular surgery the patient is having, a Charlottesville medical malpractice lawyer can explain that those risks do not absolve the surgeon or medical staff if a patient is exposed to infection because of negligence. Even though every procedure or surgery may carry different risks, infections caused by medical staff may make a mistake that leads to an infection do not apply. That injury goes beyond the normal scope of acceptable surgical risks.

If you think your infection exposure was caused by negligence on the part of medical professionals, you may want to discuss your options with a medical malpractice lawyer Charlottesville VA injury victims depend on.

Hospital Acquired Infections

Superbugs – dangerous microbes which are almost impossible to treat – are becoming increasingly serious issues in hospitals and other medical facilities around the country. Failure of medical professionals to follow sterilization protocols is one of the most common ways these superbugs thrive. A patient who is already weakened by surgery or an illness can have a perilous time trying to fight off one of these infections, especially one that is resistant to an antibiotic. A medical malpractice lawyer in Charlottesville VA has represented many patients who have suffered devastating effects from these infections, sometimes leaving patients with lifelong disabilities.

Let a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Charlottesville VA Victims Trust Fight for You

If you have suffered an infection after surgery or other medical procedure, you may be the victim of medical malpractice. A Charlottesville medical malpractice lawyer can carefully review your case and advise you as to what your legal options may be. It is important to note, however, that under Virginia law, a person only has two years to bring forward a charge of medical malpractice, so do not delay in contacting an attorney.

Damages in Medical Malpractice Claims

To recover damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit, you must prove that the medical malpractice did indeed cause your injuries and that a price tag can be put on the damages. A medical malpractice lawyer Charlottesville VA trusts may help you do that. Let’s take a closer look at the types of damage you may be entitled to in a medical malpractice claim:

  • Medical Bills: If you were the victim of medical malpractice, you likely received medical care for your injuries, such as doctor’s visits, surgery and even physical therapy. Bringing a lawsuit with the assistance of a medical malpractice lawyer in Charlottesville VA may help you recover compensation for the medical bills.
  • Lost Wages: The injuries you suffered may have caused you to miss time from work. If this is the case, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages in a medical malpractice lawsuit. If your injuries prevent you from ever returning to work, you may also sue for future earnings.
  • Pain and Suffering: A medical malpractice lawyer Charlottesville VA counts on may also help you recover pain and suffering damages. Pain and suffering refers to any physical pain and emotional stress that resulted from the medical malpractice. For example, the injuries you suffered may have caused major depression or sleep issues.
  • Punitive: If you know that the doctor who treated you knew that he or she was acting in harmful manner, you may be able to sue for punitive damages. For example, if a surgeon left a surgical instrument in your body on purpose to create a reason for a second surgery, you may be awarded punitive damages.

Questions to Ask a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

In order to choose the right medical malpractice lawyer, you have to ask him or her certain questions during the initial consultation. If you know what questions to ask, you can learn more about a lawyer’s skills and experience.

What is your success rate with medical malpractice cases? It may be important to find a Charlottesville medical malpractice lawyer with a high success rate with medical malpractice cases. This shows that he or she has enough experience and knowledge to handle your case.

How many other cases are you currently working on? It might not be a good idea to work with a medical malpractice lawyer Charlottesville VA relies on with a heavy caseload. He or she might not have the time to give your case the attention it deserves.

What are your fees? Before hiring a medical malpractice lawyer, you will want to find out about his or her legal fees. Fortunately, most medical malpractice lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning they take a percentage of your winnings.

Do you think I have a strong case? Although a medical malpractice lawyer Charlottesville VA offers can’t promise anything, he or she should be able to tell you if you have a strong case or not. If he or she believes you have a weak case, it may not be worth pursuing.

If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced lawyer for counsel. The attorneys at MartinWren, P.C. are happy to discuss your case in detail during a complimentary case evaluation. To schedule an appointment with a trusted medical malpractice lawyer Charlottesville VA has to offer, contact us today at (434) 817-3100 or fill out a contact form from our website.

Common Medication Errors

Medication errors are one of the most common forms of medical malpractice and can cause serious harm to patients. Although prescription medications can treat a wide range of health conditions and injuries, they can be life-threatening if used incorrectly. Here are the most common medication errors that you should know about:

 

  • Prescribing the wrong medication. Patients may receive the incorrect medication due to labeling errors, miscommunication and other mistakes.
  • Failing to ask about allergies and adverse drug reactions. Before prescribing medication, doctors must ask you about allergies and known reactions to medications. If they fail to do this and you suffer a reaction, you may have a medical malpractice case.
  • Dispensing the incorrect dosage. Even if it is the correct medication, patients can suffer serious complications if they are given the wrong dosage. A simple oversight can result in giving the incorrect dosage to a patient.
  • Failing to give instructions and warnings. Pharmacists have a duty to instruct patients how to take a certain medication and warn them about possible side effects.

Health Complications from Medication Errors

Unfortunately, medication errors can result in some pretty serious health complications, including:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Neurological injuries
  • Drug dependence
  • Physical injuries
  • Failure to treat the actual condition

Patients who sustain these complications may have to be hospitalized for a while and might require surgery. This can lead to thousands of dollars in medical costs. These patients may also have to take a considerable time off work as they recover from their injuries.

Liable Parties in Medication Error Cases

If you suffered health complications because of a medication error, it is important to hold the right parties accountable. Here are possible liable parties in medication error cases:

 

  • Doctors. Doctors may be held responsible if they prescribe the incorrect medication or dosage and you suffer harm because of it.
  • Nurses. Nurses frequently administer medications when patients are in the hospital. If they administer the wrong medication or the incorrect dosage, they can be held liable.
  • Pharmacists. Pharmacists can also be sued for making medication errors. For instance, if they misread what your doctors prescribed, they may give you the incorrect medication.

An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can investigate your case and help you determine all liable parties. Your lawyer can improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Contact Our Virginia Lawyers

We serve clients throughout Virginia — from Charlottesville and Central Virginia to metropolitan Richmond; Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley to Roanoke; and the cities of Hampton Roads to the Northern Virginia cities of  Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington.

To speak with one of our attorneys, please call us at (434) 817-3100.

Our Virginia personal injury lawyers at MartinWren, P.C. have a statewide practice and offer free consultations at a time and location that is convenient for you.  We will gladly meet with you at your home or at the hospital, even on nights and weekends.

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