Key Takeaways
- Medical malpractice is judged against the standard of care, comparing a provider’s conduct with other reasonable professionals in similar situations.
- Possible cases include misdiagnoses or late diagnoses, surgical errors, medication errors, birth injuries, infection complications, and anesthesia errors.
- Reasonable complications a physician warns you about before a procedure may not qualify as negligence in most cases.
- Common injuries include medication overdoses, surgical instruments left in the body, incorrect surgery or amputation, and complications from untreated conditions.
- Damages may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, household support costs, and reduced earning potential.
We trust doctors with our lives when we go to them seeking medical care. We trust that their years of training and experience have impressed upon them the importance of attention to detail and the potential dire consequences for others when they make mistakes. Our Lake Oswego medical malpractice lawyer is prepared to protect your rights to compensation after medical negligence has left you injured. The Pacific Northwest injury attorneys with Paulson Coletti have decades of collective experience and are ready to support you.
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What Qualifies as Medical Malpractice?
Behavior that qualifies as medical malpractice can sometimes have seemingly ambiguous criteria. The National Library of Medicine defines the standard of care as the benchmark determining whether professional obligations to a patient have been met. The defendant’s behavior is typically compared to other reasonable professionals in similar situations. Some of the situations in which you may have a case for medical malpractice may include:
- Misdiagnoses or late diagnoses that cause unnecessary complications
- Surgical errors, particularly when they deviate from the universal protocol
- Medication errors
- Birth injuries
- Infection complications
- Anesthesia errors
These are not the only situations that may indicate a negligent medical provider. However, they are some of the more common instances. Similarly, there is a reasonable expectation for complications that your physician should make you aware of before any procedure.
These reasonable complications may not qualify as negligence in most cases. Still, if you feel there are concerns of negligence, you can speak with a medical malpractice attorney in Lake Oswego to determine your options.
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
Injuries From Medical Malpractice
The specific medical malpractice occurrences vary significantly, and we see the same variation in the injuries it causes. However, some of the more common types of injuries seen from medical malpractice cases include:
- Medication overdose or interaction
- Surgical instruments or materials left in the body
- Incorrect surgery performed, including incorrect amputation
- Worsening of an undiagnosed and untreated medical condition causing complications such as organ failure
- Congenital disabilities or neurological complications such as cerebral palsy
- Trauma from waking up during a medical procedure
Some additional problems may include accidents or injuries caused by negligently prescribed medications or death. Every intervention comes with a degree of risk, but you should be informed, and your healthcare team should provide alternative options to the treatment and take steps to mitigate risks when possible.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Compensation Available in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
A medical malpractice lawsuit is meant to provide financial compensation for the victim’s costs and losses from the injury. At a minimum, the goal is to recover the money that was already spent due to the injuries, and many times, your attorney will fight for you to receive compensation for the time and emotional energy the injury took from you. Some of the damages you may expect to claim in your case include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages from missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Costs of household supports
- Reduced earning potential
What If I Lost My Loved One Due to Medical Malpractice?
In the worst situations, the negligence of a physician or care team can cause the death of a loved one. If you have lost someone to medical malpractice, you may want to discuss your situation with our Portland wrongful death attorney to determine if you are eligible for this time of case.
Contact Our Lake Oswego Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
Paulson Coletti is dedicated to holding negligent physicians responsible and supporting victims to get justice for themselves and their loved ones. Call 503-226-6361 or fill out our online form to set up a free consultation today.