You turn to the medical community in life’s most important times — like the birth of a baby or in times of illness or injury. When that trust is betrayed, through neglect, poor care or failures within the healthcare system, and you or a family member is injured as a result, you may have a medical malpractice claim.
We strive to make medical care in your community better by holding healthcare providers accountable for medical errors that leave patients severely injured or cause their death. We have decades of experience pursuing healthcare providers — including doctors, mid-level providers, nurses and hospitals — for medical negligence. We also have experience representing healthcare providers, which gives us an inside edge in advocating for our medical malpractice clients. If you or a loved one was injured due to the negligence of a healthcare provider or hospital, we may be able to help.
North Carolina Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Medical malpractice cases can occur anywhere in the United States. North Carolina is no exception. Contact our firm today to discuss your legal options if you or someone you love has been injured due to medical negligence. We are committed to helping you obtain justice.
Examples of Medical Malpractice
Medical mistakes and negligence occur every day, and it is important to recognize that different kinds of errors can occur during a medical procedure. These examples illustrate how medical malpractice can affect patients and what your next steps might be if you find you or a loved one are the victims of medical malpractice:
Failure to timely diagnose a condition
This occurs when a doctor fails to diagnose a disease or injury correctly. For example, a physician might fail to diagnose a serious condition. This delay in diagnosis deprives the patient of earlier intervention and may lead to permanent injury or death. Our lawyers see this type of medical malpractice case routinely.
Failure to timely treat a condition
Delay in treating an identified condition can be lethal. Common examples of this include the failure to timely deliver an infant through c-section or failure to provide a “clot buster” or tPA when a patient presents with signs or symptoms of a stroke. These types of delay in treating a condition can cause permanent injury or death and are another example of a medical malpractice claims that our attorneys are comfortable handling.
Improper Treatment
Sometimes, physicians perform procedures incorrectly or use inappropriate treatments. A surgeon may remove the wrong organ or administer the wrong drug. These types of medical errors fall in a broader category but are situations we see regularly.
Other common examples of medical malpractice are:
Elements of a Medical Malpractice Claim
In a medical malpractice case, plaintiffs must prove several basic elements. These include proving that there was a duty of care owed by the defendant to the plaintiff, that the defendant breached his/her duty, that the breach caused harm to the plaintiff, and that the plaintiff incurred actual damages. In addition to these four elements, the healthcare professional must have been deemed not to meet the standard of care in North Carolina which includes:
What Are the Most Common Injuries in Medical Malpractice Cases?
Medical malpractice cases come in many different shapes and sizes. Some involve patients suffering from severe infections, while others include mistakes during routine surgical procedures such as cataract removal or appendectomy. Still, others involve medication errors, charting errors, anesthesia malpractice and even failure to diagnose serious conditions.
The most common types of medical malpractice accidents include:
While each type of error presents unique challenges, personal injury attorneys and malpractice attorneys face similar obstacles in proving negligence and establishing damages. These include determining whether the patient received proper care, how much pain and suffering he or she experienced due to the mistake, what his or her future prospects are, and how much compensation is appropriate.
North Carolina Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Medical malpractice claims occur every day in hospitals across America. These cases often arise because of negligent acts or omissions by doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists and other licensed health professionals. If you believe that another person’s medical malpractice has harmed you, it is important to speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer could help determine whether you have grounds for a legal claim against the responsible parties.
At Edwards Beightol, LLC, our team of medical malpractice lawyers and investigators work hard to pursue justice for our clients. We understand the emotional toll that being involved in a serious injury or wrongful death can take on family members, friends, co-workers and others close to you. When you hire us, we will handle everything necessary to protect your interests and ensure you receive compensation for your injuries. Our firm has successfully represented numerous clients throughout the state of North Carolina and around the United States.
What Damages Can Victims Recover in Medical Malpractice Cases?
Medical malpractice cases are complex, and it is important to know what damages you can recover. In addition to compensation for physical injuries suffered, including physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and even death, victims may be able to collect economic losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and future earning capacity.
The amount of money you receive depends on the severity of your injury, how long you were hospitalized, whether you required surgery and the extent of your injuries. You may also be eligible to seek punitive damages intended to punish negligent defendants and deter others from similar conduct.
What are some common medical malpractice myths?
Medical malpractice myths are the most common misconceptions in the field. Many people believe that doctors are not allowed to make mistakes, and that they are infallible. It is true that in some cases doctors are negligent, and they do make mistakes. However, the fact remains that most doctors are competent and highly skilled. They are trained to handle any type of situation with great skill and precision.
Unfortunately, some doctors choose to take advantage of the fact that they are highly respected and trusted members of the community. They do so by abusing their position of power, and using their position to make money from vulnerable patients.
Most people will never have to deal with the effects of medical malpractice, but if you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in this situation, there is hope. You are not alone, and our law firm is here to help guide you through the process.
Call Edwards Beightol, LLC, today for a free case evaluation. Our law firm is dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve. We will work tirelessly to get you the justice you deserve.
What are some common mistakes made in medical malpractice cases?
When it comes to the medical field, malpractice is not a rare thing to happen. This can occur in any of the following areas:
If you or someone you know has been injured due to medical malpractice, then you should seek legal advice from a lawyer. It can be a long process, so it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible.
Medical malpractice law in North Carolina is designed to protect patients from being harmed by negligent medical care. The law requires that medical providers meet a certain standard of care when treating patients, and if they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries.
The first step is to consult with a medical malpractice attorney. He or she will review your case and determine whether you have a valid claim. If you have a valid claim, the attorney will advise you of the next steps in the process.
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