Chestnut Hill Medical Malpractice Attorneys

When we seek medical care, we place our trust in the hands of trained professionals. Most of the time, that trust is justified. However, when a healthcare provider’s mistake results in serious harm, patients and their families are left facing physical pain along with emotional and financial stress.

Medical malpractice is more common than many people realize, and pursuing a claim is not easy to do alone. That is where the experienced Chestnut Hill medical malpractice attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer come in. We are dedicated to helping you hold negligent medical providers to account and recover the compensation you deserve.

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice refers to a situation in which a healthcare provider does not meet the accepted standard of care, causing the patient to suffer harm. The professional may be a doctor, nurse, technician or hospital staff member, among others in the healthcare field.

In Pennsylvania, proving medical malpractice requires demonstrating that the provider’s negligence directly caused injury to the patient. It involves showing that their actions or inaction deviated from what a competent professional would have done under similar circumstances. Medical malpractice cases can be complex and demanding. They often hinge on thorough documentation, expert testimony and a deep understanding of medical standards and legal strategy.

Whether the issue involves a delayed diagnosis, a botched surgical procedure or a failure to respond to complications after treatment, Pennsylvania law allows injured patients to seek compensation when medical professionals fall short of their duty. Chestnut Hill residents have the right to expect safe and competent care whether they are visiting a hospital, an outpatient clinic or a specialist’s office. If something went wrong and you believe a medical provider’s error caused your injury, an experienced attorney can help you explore your legal options.

Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle in Chestnut Hill

Philadelphia County had 275 medical malpractice filings out of a statewide total of 1,332 in 2022. There are various forms of medical malpractice, from surgical mistakes and medication errors to diagnostic failures and delayed treatment. Diagnostic errors are among the most frequently cited reasons for malpractice claims, consisting of mistakes like failing to identify cancer or infections in time. Around 424,000 people suffer permanent disabilities due to diagnostic errors across various clinical settings nationwide each year.

While patients over age 65 are 12 percent more likely to experience medical malpractice, they can affect anyone. Each case is unique, but all involve a breach of the duty owed to you as a patient. Even though medical errors can have serious and lasting consequences, they don’t always receive the same level of attention as more visible accidents like car crashes. In many cases, mistakes may go unreported or be difficult for patients to detect without legal help. At MyPhillyLawyer, we represent clients in all types of medical malpractice cases, including:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, which can prevent timely treatment and worsen outcomes.
• Surgical errors, such as leaving surgical instruments inside the patient or operating on the incorrect body part.
• Medication errors, including dispensing wrong dosages, prescribing incorrect medication or failing to check for dangerous drug interactions.
• Anesthesia mistakes, which can result in permanent injury or even death.
• Birth injuries, which may stem from negligent prenatal care or errors during labor and delivery.
• Failure to obtain informed consent, which means a healthcare provider failed to adequately inform the patient of the risks involved in a procedure.

Diagnosis-related mistakes account for almost 32 percent of medical malpractice claims, while surgical errors are cited in 25 percent of cases against negligent health care providers. Anesthesia errors are responsible for 2.7 percent of medical malpractice claims.

A 2022 study identified communication failures in 49 percent of medical malpractice claims during a 10-year period. The miscommunications were mostly related to diagnosis, illness severity and contingency plans.

What are Never Events?

Some medical errors are so serious and completely preventable that they fall into a category known as Never Events. According to healthcare standards, these are mistakes that should never happen under any circumstance. They represent fundamental failures in patient care and indicate a breakdown of protocols that are supposed to ensure safety, for example:

• Surgical mistakes
• Incorrect transfusions
• Discharging the wrong patient

These events are rare, but when they do happen, they often lead to significant harm and can be life-changing for patients and their families. If you have experienced a Never Event in Chestnut Hill, it is crucial to contact a medical malpractice attorney to explore your legal options.

Key Elements of a Medical Malpractice Case

Not every bad medical outcome is the result of malpractice. In order to move forward with a claim in Chestnut Hill, your case needs to meet specific legal requirements. Without meeting all four elements of medical negligence, a lawsuit is unlikely to succeed, even if something clearly went wrong.

• Duty of Care: The healthcare provider was legally obligated to treat the patient according to accepted medical standards.
• Breach of Duty: The provider failed to meet that standard of care due to negligence, either by doing something they should not have or failing to do something they should have.
• Causation: There must be a direct link between the breach of care and the patient’s injury. It is not enough to show that a mistake happened; you must show that the mistake caused harm.
• Harm: Finally, you must show that the breach of care resulted in specific injuries and damages, such as additional medical bills, lost wages or pain and suffering.

How Compensation Works in Medical Malpractice Cases

Damages in Chestnut Hill medical malpractice cases can include medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Punitive damages are less common but may be available in certain circumstances to punish a healthcare provider for excessive negligence or intentional harm.

Your attorney will work diligently to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible, calculating not only your current expenses but also future costs associated with ongoing treatment or rehabilitation. When a medical malpractice claim is successful, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses: both current and future costs related to treatment, surgeries, therapy and rehabilitation
• Lost income: including reduced earning capacity if you are unable to resume work
• Pain and suffering: for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury
• Loss of life enjoyment: if your injury prevents you from living life as you once did

In 2022, Pennsylvania was ranked third among the top five states for substantial medical malpractice settlements. With the right legal representation, you can ensure you are not shortchanged and receive the justice and financial recovery you are entitled to. Our team will work to understand the full impact the medical error has had on your life and fight for the compensation you need to move forward after an injury.

Statute of Limitations for Chestnut Hill Medical Malpractice Claims

Time is of the essence. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is two years from when you discovered or reasonably should have known about the injury. It is crucial to consult with a Chestnut Hill medical malpractice lawyer right away to ensure you don’t miss this critical deadline for filing a claim. Otherwise, you may no longer be able to recover compensation for the harm you suffered.

Medical malpractice cases can take months or even years to resolve, depending on complexity and whether a settlement is reached or the case goes to trial. While the process can be lengthy, your lawyer will handle the legal legwork and keep you informed throughout.

Why Legal Representation Matters in Medical Malpractice Cases

Medical malpractice lawsuits are notoriously challenging. Hospitals and doctors often have powerful legal teams on their side, and insurers are quick to minimize payouts. Without experienced legal representation, it is easy for injured patients to get overwhelmed or accept an offer far below what they are entitled to.

A dedicated Chestnut Hill medical malpractice attorney can make a substantial difference by investigating your case thoroughly and consulting with trusted medical experts. They will calculate the full extent of your damages and negotiate with insurance companies, representing you in court if needed. At MyPhillyLawyer, we understand how devastating it is to suffer harm at the hands of a trusted healthcare provider. We are here to take the pressure off you so you can focus on healing.

Contact MyPhillyLawyer Today

If you have suffered injuries due to a medical error in Chestnut Hill, don’t wait to seek help. The sooner you act, the better your chances of building a strong case. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience helping clients recover compensation in medical malpractice claims.

Contact MyPhillyLawyer today for a free consultation. It costs nothing to learn about your legal rights. We will listen to your story, answer your questions and help you understand your next steps. There are no upfront fees, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your case, guaranteed.