Conshohocken Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Conshohocken Help Those Injured by Medical Negligence

Medical malpractice occurs when medical providers fail to meet the standard of care when diagnosing or treating patients. The standard of care encompasses several factors, including the appropriate steps to address various medical conditions, perform surgery and other treatments, and document patient care. 

When medical providers fail to meet the standard of care, serious injuries can result. The dedicated Conshohocken medical malpractice attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer can help you seek compensation after a serious medical malpractice-related injury.

Medical Malpractice Statistics

Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to a 2016 Johns Hopkins study. Only heart disease and cancer claim more lives in the US each year. 

In 2023, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority (PSA) recorded the following statistics about medical events in the state:

• 276,000 incidents occurred in medical settings in Pennsylvania.
• 12,000 “serious events” were recorded by PSA.
• 24,000 infections acquired during healthcare treatment were reported in long-term care facilities.
• Eight anonymous reports or referrals to medical licensing boards were made. 
• Hospital event reports have dropped slightly in recent years. Nationwide, the number of reported patient safety errors has also decreased.
• Although the total number of reports has dropped, the number of “serious and high harm event” reports has increased.

Medical errors are preventable. Adhering to the standard of care is necessary in every case of medical treatment or diagnosis. When providers’ efforts fall below the standard of care, serious harm can result. 

Common Medical Errors

Common medical errors include diagnosis, surgical, medication, and patient care errors. 

Diagnosis Errors

Diagnosis is the process of determining a patient’s medical condition. For some patients, diagnosis requires medical providers to identify multiple conditions and how they interact with one another. 

Errors in diagnosis can include:

• Failure to diagnose. Failing to diagnose a patient accurately can result in a serious condition going without treatment. It can also mean a patient gets treated for a condition they do not have (misdiagnosis).
• Delayed diagnosis. Failure to diagnose and misdiagnosis can cause a delay in accurate diagnosis, which can result in serious injuries.
• Misdiagnosis. When a patient is diagnosed incorrectly, they may be harmed by treatment for the wrong condition and by lack of treatment for their actual condition. 

Diagnosis errors can have deadly consequences. 

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors occur during surgical procedures. They can be among the most dangerous types of medical errors. 

Surgical errors can include: 

• Operating on the wrong body part,
• Performing the wrong procedure,
• Leaving tools, equipment, or other foreign objects inside the body, and
• Mistakes in administering anesthesia.

Surgical errors can cause serious issues and even death. 

Medication Errors

Many providers may be involved in getting medication to a patient. Many opportunities for error can result as well. 

Medication errors can include:

• A doctor prescribes the wrong medication type, dose, or schedule. 
• A pharmacist dispenses the wrong medication type, dose, or instructions for use.
• A nurse or other provider administers the wrong medication type or dose or administers it on the wrong schedule. 

Medication errors can be linked to issues with charting or patient care as well.

Patient Care Errors

Patient care errors occur in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and similar places where medical staff must collaborate to care for patients effectively. Two common forms of patient care errors are charting errors and failure to prevent falls.

• Charting errors occur when information is not recorded accurately in a patient’s chart. For example, if a patient’s drug allergies aren’t listed, the patient may receive medication to which they are allergic. Charting errors are also called “documentation errors.”
• Fall prevention is essential to protect patient safety. Falls are a leading cause of death in the United States, especially for those over age 65. When healthcare facilities don’t use adequate fall prevention, serious injuries can result. 

Reporting may not be enough to prevent medical errors. In a study of 25 Pennsylvania hospitals, researchers found that over 12 months, the rate of medical errors reported rose steadily. Doctors and other medical staff reported more errors as the study progressed. 

However, the study also found that the hospitals’ rate of addressing those errors stayed constant during the 12-month study period. Even though the hospital received more error reports, it did not change its habits of addressing those reports. 

Reporting is essential to addressing medical errors, but it is not sufficient. Medical providers must take active steps to prevent harm and to address harm when it occurs. 

Bringing a Medical Malpractice Claim in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania medical malpractice claims follow particular rules. Some of these rules are similar to other personal injury claims; others are different. 

Understanding the general rule can help you understand and plan your case. However, it’s best to speak to an experienced Conshohocken medical malpractice lawyer to know how these rules apply in your specific situation. 

Time Limits

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations sets a two-year time limit on filing medical malpractice claims. The case must be filed in court within two years of the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered. 

Discovering that medical malpractice is to blame for your injuries can be difficult. Determining exactly when the two-year deadline ends can be tough as well. Talk to an experienced attorney who can help you calculate the deadline in your case. 

Types of Compensation

Compensation in a medical malpractice case seeks monetary damages for your losses related to the malpractice. Common forms of compensation in these cases include:

• Medical bills and expenses,
• Lost wages, 
• Future medical bills and lost wages, if your injuries require ongoing care or prevent you from ever working again,
• Pain and suffering. 

Other losses may be compensable as well. An attorney can help you determine the full value of compensation in your case.

In certain cases, “punitive damages” may also be available. Punitive damages are not paid to compensate for your losses. Instead, they’re paid to send a message that the harm you suffered is intolerable in a civilized society. 

Pennsylvania caps, or limits, punitive damages at 200 percent of your compensation. Unlike many other states, however, Pennsylvania does not cap non-economic damages. You can seek the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled by law. 

Rules Specific to Medical Malpractice Claims

Medical malpractice claims must follow rules specific to such cases. One example is the “certificate of merit” rule.

Pennsylvania courts require an injured person or their lawyer to file a “certificate of merit” along with the complaint (the document that starts your lawsuit). The certificate of merit must state that an “appropriate licensed professional” has examined your claim. It must also note that the professional believes there is a “reasonable probability” that the defendant’s conduct “fell outside acceptable professional standards,” causing your harm. 

An attorney in Conshohocken can help you ensure you meet this requirement and other requirements in your medical malpractice lawsuit. 

Speak to an Experienced Conshohocken Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today

Winning a medical malpractice claim can be tough. It’s even harder when you’re dealing with severe injuries or illness. An attorney can help you succeed.

Why Do I Need a Medical Malpractice Attorney?

Medical malpractice is a complex area of law. Many medical malpractice claims need one or more expert witnesses. Experts understand the particular area of medicine at issue. They can explain complex topics to a judge and jury. However, the rules around including expert witnesses in a case can be difficult to navigate. 

Also, medical malpractice claims can be tough for injured patients to win. Defendants (doctors, hospitals, and other providers) and their attorneys win the majority of medical malpractice lawsuits in Pennsylvania, according to court statistics. Providers’ medical malpractice insurers typically hire attorneys with deep experience defending doctors and hospitals. To level the playing field, you need an equally experienced and dedicated attorney on your side. 

What To Look For in a Medical Malpractice Attorney

When choosing a medical malpractice attorney in Conshohocken, look for:

• Experience. Look for lawyers and law firms with a track record of success in medical malpractice cases. While attorneys cannot guarantee your case will end a certain way, a history of success indicates an attorney who understands the complexities of medical malpractice claims and who fights for their clients. 
• Referrals. Ask for referrals from those you know, and read testimonials. How do other people describe their experience with a particular attorney?
• Communication. Reach out to attorneys you might like to work with. Look for a lawyer who answers your questions in a way you understand. When seeking referrals, ask people you know if their lawyer communicated with them regularly during their case.

Medical malpractice injuries impose unique mental and emotional issues on those who suffer them. You went to a doctor for help, only to experience harm at the hands of those you trusted. You need medical attention to recover from those injuries, but you may fear or distrust the medical establishment, making it harder to get the assistance you need.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Contact an experienced Conshohocken medical malpractice attorney today. The team at MyPhillyLawyer can help. Call us or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation.