Manhattan Medical Malpractice
When you visit a doctor, chiropractor, dentist or any other medical professional you expect that the medical professional will provide you with competent, skilled medical care. Unfortunately, mistakes do happen. Sometimes the results of medical mistakes are tragic. Medical malpractice can occur in several different ways. The most common type of malpractice is medical misdiagnosis. As a result of a misdiagnosis or some other type of medical malpractice, each year patients suffer injuries such as paralysis, severe back injuries, birth injuries or even an unwarranted amputation that requires the patient to endure lifelong treatment. Sadly, in many cases the patient does not survive. If you or a loved one has been injured due to medical malpractice it is important to speak with an experienced Manhattan medical malpractice Lawyer who will review the facts of your case and explain to you your legal options for pursuing a personal injury claim or a wrongful death claim.
Common types of medical malpracticeThere are three general types of medical malpractice cases:
- Misdiagnosis. If a doctor fails to properly diagnose a condition, the condition will not be treated. As a result of the misdiagnosis patient's health may further deteriorate.
- Improper treatment. Even if the doctor correctly and timely diagnoses the condition, the patient may still suffer great harm if the doctor does not properly treat the condition.
- Failure to warn. A doctor is required to make sure that a patient understands the risks and benefits of surgery, medication, therapy or some other particular course of treatment. If the doctor fails to explain the risks and benefits and get a patient's informed consent before proceeding, the doctor risks a failure to warn medical malpractice claim.
It is important to understand that in order for a medical professional's actions to be considered malpractice, his or her actions must deviate from accepted medical standards.
Pursuing damages for medical malpracticeIf you were injured because a doctor made an error, the law allows you to file a special type of personal injury claim against the doctor called a medical malpractice claim. The defendant does not have to be a medical doctor. If the error was made by a dentist, chiropractor, nurse, natural doctor or some other medical professional, then you can name that person as the defendant in your case. Furthermore, in some cases it is also appropriate to name the facility where the malpractice took place as a defendant as well. Through a medical malpractice claim, you can demand payment for the following losses:
- Medical expenses: All past and future expenses related to treating the injury that resulted from the misdiagnosis, improper treatment or failure to warn. For example, if an error in administering anesthesia lead to a brain injury, then all expenses related to treating the brain injury are compensable.
- Lost wages: This includes income and benefits that you lost or were unable to accrue because you were not able to go to work due to the medical error. For example, if you missed 2 months of work and as a result did not receive 2 months of paychecks and were passed over for a promotion, those losses are compensable.
- Pain and suffering. This includes compensation for persistent or intermittent pain, disfigurement, scarring, or lost of mobility, as well as psychological suffering such as depression, fear, and inability to sleep.
If you or a loved one was injured due to the incompetence of a healthcare professional or medical facility, you should contact an experienced attorney who understands the legal issues associated with medical malpractice cases. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are experienced in handling cases involving medical misdiagnosis, failure to warn, improper treatment, as well as other types of medical malpractice claims. In addition, we also represent clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from auto accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.