Lawrence Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you were injured while receiving medical care, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you sustained. However, your ability to recover fair compensation will largely depend on your ability to prove your medical provider committed medical malpractice, which can be a difficult bar to meet, especially when you’re dealing with painful injuries. A Lawrence medical malpractice lawyer from The Cashman Law Firm can help. Call us today for a free case review.

Medical Malpractice Defined

Medical malpractice occurs when a person’s healthcare provider fails to provide medical treatment that is consistent with the standard of care and injures them as a result of this deviation from the standard of care. In such instances, the injured (or the surviving family in the event of wrongful death) has a right to take legal action.

The standard of care is the generally accepted practices and procedures other medical professionals in the same geographic area use when treating patients suffering from the ailment in question under the same or similar circumstances.

Medical malpractice lawyers employ medical experts who can testify about how the healthcare provider breached the standard of care. These experts must have extensive experience in the same practice area. Medical experts may also testify about how the breach caused the patient’s injuries and how this mistake affected the victim.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Medical Malpractice

Any healthcare provider can potentially commit medical malpractice, including:

• Primary doctors
• Surgeons
• Anesthesiologists
• Specialists
• Ob-gyns
• Nurses
• Paramedics
• Emergency medical technicians
• Dentists
• Lab technicians

Medical employers – such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, and medical groups – can also be named in medical malpractice suits. These entities can be held legally liable for the negligence of their employees, as well as their own negligence, such as negligent hiring or supervision.

Damages Recoverable After a Medical Malpractice Incident

Medical malpractice victims may be able to recover compensation for the damages they sustained as a result of the doctor’s mistake. These damages could include:

• Medical bills for additional medical treatment and surgeries
• Ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of companionship
• Embarrassment

Massachusetts law limits non-economic damages such as pain and suffering at $500,000 unless the jury finds the victim suffered a substantial or permanent loss or impairment of a bodily function or substantial disfigurement or a special circumstance warranting deviating from this limit. A separate state law caps liability on charitable organizations at $20,000.

What to Do If You Suspect Medical Malpractice

If you suspect medical malpractice, you can take the following steps to protect your legal rights and claim:

• Seek a second opinion from another doctor at a different medical facility. Explain your concerns.
• Request your medical records from your original doctor.
• Take pictures of your injuries.
• Contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer.

Contact a Lawrence Medical Malpractice Lawyer for a Free Consultation

You deserve to receive quality care. When a healthcare provider fails to uphold their duty to do no harm, you need a Lawrence medical malpractice lawyer from The Cashman Law Firm. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your medical malpractice case.