Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle
Medical malpractice occurs whenever a healthcare professional deviates from the expected standard of care. This negligence can result in medical complications, impacting not only the patient but also their loved ones. Sadly, the ramifications are more than just physical, affecting an individual’s relationships with family and friends, and at times, preventing them from earning a living.
While you and your attorney may attempt to reach an insurance settlement, taking your case to court may allow you to obtain a larger award. However, in most circumstances, you only have two years from the date of the incident to file suit in Pennsylvania. At Fanelli, Evans, & Patel, our medical malpractice attorneys have devoted their professional lives to fighting for the little guy.
Failure to Diagnose, Misdiagnoses, and Delayed Diagnoses
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have a duty to explore all possible avenues before arriving at a diagnosis. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a physician to misdiagnose heart attack symptoms or signs of appendicitis.
Since various conditions have overlapping symptoms, a physician may make a diagnosis, only to later discover that the patient was misdiagnosed. In other cases, the diagnosis may be delayed, resulting in the patient experiencing significant physical, emotional, and financial losses.
Birth Injuries
Roughly seven in every 1,000 births result in a birth injury. A birth injury can happen before, during, or after delivery, impacting a child’s physical abilities and/or neurological development. It may be caused by prolonged or difficult labor, prematurity, or the improper use of delivery tools.
Many birth injuries can prevent a child from reaching developmental milestones, such as lifting their head, rolling over, walking, or speaking. Birth injuries that are most often seen in newborns include cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). These conditions are often preventable given appropriate interventions.
Surgical Errors
Over 4,000 surgical errors occur each year. These are often referred to as “never events” because they are completely avoidable with proper precautions. Common surgical errors include operating on the wrong patient, operating on the wrong body part or side, or leaving surgical instruments inside the body.
While Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases is two years, cases involving surgical errors are an exception. Under the discovery rule, the two-year limitation period begins once the injury is discovered or should have been discovered.
While most medical malpractice cases have an absolute deadline of seven years (known as a “statute of repose”), this does not apply when a surgical instrument is the source of injury. Under state law, when a surgical instrument, or foreign body, is the source of injury, the seven-year statute of repose will be waived.
Medication Errors & Mismanagement
A medication or prescription error occurs when the wrong medication or dose is prescribed or dispensed to a patient. Medication errors can result from a physician failing to recognize drug contraindications, a pharmacist misreading prescriptions, or understaffing that prevents hospital personnel from administering medication on schedule. At one end of the scale, a prescription error may prevent a patient’s condition from improving, while at the other, lethal consequences may occur.
Pharmaceutical Defects & Mass Torts
We rely on a doctor’s expertise to diagnose and treat conditions, but sometimes the treatment can have a worse outcome than the illness itself. Pharmaceutical products come with risks, wreaking havoc on the body, causing serious injuries and potential death.
The medical malpractice team at Fanelli, Evans, & Patel has fought for those injured by Xarelto blood thinners, pelvic mesh, DePuy hip and knee replacements, and defective medications. When a medical device or product affects numerous individuals, our legal team may consolidate multiple lawsuits to ensure justice for all.
Reach Out to Our Pottsville Medical Malpractice Attorneys Today
Medical malpractice can come in many forms, impacting your ability to perform routine tasks and even financially support your family. Instead, you will be saddled with medical bills, which can cause you to be hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. While not all complications indicate medical malpractice, you should seek legal guidance to discern if the harm you suffered was preventable.
If you or a loved one has recently been injured due to a medical professional’s oversight, our Pottsville medical malpractice lawyers would like to hear from you. Recovering damages for your injuries can allow you to breathe easier and focus on healing. To arrange your free consultation, contact us online or call (570) 622-2455 today.