When you put your trust in the hands of a medical professional, you expect a positive outcome. Unfortunately, there are situations where a medical procedure results in a devastating outcome. Some of these incidents are unavoidable; however, others are preventable.
While you cannot pursue legal action if the injury or incident was unavoidable, if it was caused by a mistake or failure of a health professional who did not follow the standard of care, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
If a health professional injured you or someone you love, our experienced medical injury attorneys at Mooney Law can help. We can learn about your situation and let you know your legal options.
What Is a Medical Injury?
A medical injury refers to any harm or damage that occurs to a person due to medical treatment or care. These injuries can range from physical complications to emotional trauma and financial burdens.
Causes of Medical Injuries
Medical injuries can arise from various factors, including surgical errors, medication mistakes, misdiagnosis, birth injuries, and negligence on the part of healthcare providers or facilities. These incidents can occur in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or even during routine medical procedures.
Impact on Individuals
Medical injuries can have significant consequences for individuals and their families. Beyond the physical pain and suffering, they may result in long-term disabilities, loss of income, and significant medical expenses. Additionally, the emotional toll of coping with a medical injury can be overwhelming.
Seeking Justice and Compensation
Individuals need to seek legal guidance when medical injuries occur due to negligence or malpractice. A skilled medical injuries attorney can help victims pursue justice and compensation for their damages, holding responsible parties accountable for their actions.
At Mooney Law in Central Pennsylvania, we are dedicated to advocating for those harmed by medical negligence, providing compassionate support and aggressive representation every step of the way.
Common Types of Medical Injuries
While medical injuries can occur for many reasons, some of the most common include the following:
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors are a distressing form of medical injury that can occur during any surgical procedure. These errors may include performing the wrong surgery, operating on the wrong body part, or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient’s body. Such mistakes can lead to serious complications, infections, and permanent damage.
Medication Errors
Medication errors occur when healthcare providers administer the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or fail to recognize harmful drug interactions. These errors can result in adverse reactions, allergic responses, or worsen the patient’s condition. Medication errors are particularly concerning because they are often preventable with proper care and attention to detail.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider fails to accurately diagnose a patient’s medical condition or attributes symptoms to the wrong illness. This can lead to delays in treatment, unnecessary procedures, or the administration of incorrect medications. Misdiagnosis can have serious consequences, allowing the underlying condition to progress unchecked and potentially causing further harm to the patient.
Birth Injuries
Birth injuries are a devastating form of medical injury that can occur during childbirth due to negligence or medical malpractice. These injuries may include brachial plexus injuries, cerebral palsy, or fractures. Birth injuries can have lifelong implications for both the child and the family, requiring extensive medical care and support.
Hospital Negligence
Hospital negligence encompasses many failures in patient care, including inadequate staffing, unsanitary conditions, and failure to follow proper protocols. Patients may suffer injuries such as falls, infections, or bedsores due to negligence. Holding hospitals accountable for their negligence is essential to ensure patient safety and prevent future harm.
Proving Liability in Medical Injury Cases
In Pennsylvania, healthcare providers are held to a standard of care expected of a reasonably prudent medical professional in the same or similar circumstances. This standard requires healthcare providers to exercise the degree of care, skill, and diligence that a competent practitioner in the field would provide.
Establishing Negligence
To prove liability in a medical injury case, we must demonstrate that the healthcare provider breached the standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. This involves gathering evidence, such as medical records, expert testimony, and witness accounts, to establish that the provider’s actions or omissions deviated from the accepted standard of care.
Causation and Damages
In addition to proving negligence, we must establish a causal link between the healthcare provider’s breach of duty and the patient’s injuries. This requires showing that the provider’s actions directly caused or contributed to the harm suffered by the patient. We also must quantify the damages suffered by the patient, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses.
Statute of Limitations
It’s important to note that Pennsylvania has a statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases, typically two years from the date of the injury or discovery of the injury. Failure to file a claim within this time frame may result in losing the right to pursue compensation.
Proving liability in medical injury cases requires a thorough understanding of Pennsylvania’s laws and procedures and the ability to gather and present compelling evidence. At Mooney Law, we have the experience and expertise to navigate the complexities of medical malpractice cases and fight for the justice and compensation our clients deserve.
How Can Mooney Law Help with Your Medical Injury Claim
At Mooney Law, we specialize in handling medical injury claims in Central Pennsylvania. With our extensive experience and knowledge of Pennsylvania’s laws and regulations, we provide expert legal guidance to navigate the complexities of your case.
Thorough Investigation
We understand the importance of a thorough investigation in building a strong medical injury claim. Our team meticulously gathers evidence, reviews medical records, and consults with experts to establish liability and support your case.
Strategic Advocacy
From negotiation to litigation, we employ a strategic approach to advocate for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. We are skilled negotiators who strive to reach a fair settlement, but we are also prepared to take your case to court if necessary to achieve justice.
Compassionate Support
We recognize that dealing with a medical injury can be overwhelming, both emotionally and physically. That’s why we provide compassionate support to our clients throughout the legal process. We are here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide guidance every step of the way.
Personalized Representation
At Mooney Law, we understand that every case is unique. That’s why we provide personalized representation tailored to your needs and goals. Whether you’ve suffered from surgical errors, medication mistakes, or any other type of medical injury, we are committed to fighting for the best possible outcome for you.
Proven Track Record
With a proven track record of success in medical injury cases, you can trust Mooney Law to effectively represent your interests. We have helped numerous clients obtain favorable settlements and verdicts for their medical injury claims, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you.
Mooney Law Can Help You Seek Justice and Compensation for a Medical Injury
Our experienced attorneys are here to help if you suffer a medical injury. We have the knowledge and ability to help you understand your rights and pursue fair compensation. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a no-risk consultation.