Medical Malpractice Attorney In Lebanon, PA

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is when a doctor, dentist, nurse or other medical professional acts neglectfully, causing harm to a patient. Medical professionals must provide a certain standard of care to their patients. Neglecting to fulfill their standard of care may be grounds for a malpractice lawsuit.

Some common examples of medical malpractice include:

• Misdiagnosing a patient or not offering a diagnosis soon enough
• Performing a procedure when exhausted or distracted and making a serious mistake
• Improperly monitoring a patient or discharging them too soon
• Failing to order critical tests
• Administering the wrong medication or dose

Note that not every medical error is considered medical malpractice. Four elements must be present in a medical malpractice case:

1. The doctor had a duty to provide medical care to the patient.
2. The physician acted negligently or breached their duty to the patient.
3. There’s proof that the doctor’s actions, or failure to act, caused the injury.
4. Their negligence resulted in damages.

Types of Damages

Damages refer to the compensation you may obtain if you win a medical malpractice lawsuit. There are two types of damages — economic and non-economic.

Economic damages are financial losses. They include:

• Medical bills related to the injury, including past and future expenses
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Business opportunities missed

Non-economic damages consider a person’s subjective experience. They include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lower quality of life or loss of enjoyment
• Inability to participate in activities or hobbies
• Inconvenience
• Relationship loss

Pennsylvania has no limit to the amount of damages you may recover in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

How Long Do I Have to File?

The statute of limitations for medical malpractice is two years in Pennsylvania. Typically, the clock starts ticking on the date the injury occurs. The timeline may begin once the patient discovers the injury in some cases.

The statute of limitations for wrongful death and survival action lasts two years from the date of death. Medical malpractice claims for victims who were minors at the time must be filed within two years after their 18th birthday.

In any case, it’s critical to file a lawsuit as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more challenging it will be to gather evidence for your case.

Contact Our Lawyers for Medical Negligence

No one deserves to be a victim of medical negligence. At Buzgon Davis, we’re ready to listen to your experience and help you take the next step toward fair compensation for your losses.

Contact us today to speak to a medical malpractice lawyer in Lebanon County.