Stamford Medical Malpractice Attorney
Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Stamford, CT
Getting hurt by another party can be devastating, but the mental and emotional pain often feels worse knowing you were hurt by someone who was meant to heal you. The Stamford medical malpractice attorneys at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge understand this pain all too well.
Our Stamford medical malpractice law firm wants to offer you and your family the top-quality representation you deserve to help you obtain the best possible outcome. Furthermore, we want to provide the patience, kindness, and compassion you need during an incredibly trying time.
If a medical professional has hurt you, you’re not alone in your struggles. The Stamford medical malpractice lawyers at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge are here for you.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
No one likes to think of healthcare professionals as humans capable of error. However, the truth is that mistakes in the medical field happen every single day. This is why the area of medical malpractice exists.
Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional or facility commits a negligent or wrongful act or omission that causes you harm. Because you’ve suffered an injury, medical malpractice falls under the broad legal area of personal injury. Personal injury laws help victims pursue the justice and financial compensation they deserve.
If you’ve sustained injuries after being treated by a healthcare professional, you may have a valid medical malpractice case. You can get help by discussing your situation with a Stamford lawyer for medical malpractice.
How Do Medical Malpractice Cases Arise?
Because the area of medicine itself is so vast and complex, each medical malpractice case is unique. However, medical malpractice cases tend to arise when you’ve suffered injury — or when a medical condition or illness worsens due to a medical professional’s negligence.
Some of the most common errors and incidents that lead to medical malpractice lawsuits include the following:
- Failure to diagnose
- Failure to properly treat a medical condition
- Prescription drug errors, including wrong dosages or dangerous drug interactions
- Misdiagnosis
- Failure to order proper medical tests
- Surgical errors, such as leaving tools in a patient or operating in the wrong area
- Delayed diagnosis
- Errors committed during labor and delivery
- Failure to provide emergency medical care where indicated
In any of the above scenarios, patients can be left in a much worse situation than they were before seeking treatment from the medical care provider. If you believe your doctor or other healthcare professional’s actions or omissions have caused you harm, do not wait to consult with a Stamford medical malpractice lawyer.
Medical Malpractice Can Result in Long-Term Suffering
Unfortunately, in a large majority of medical malpractice cases, patients are left to deal with the long-term consequences of their healthcare provider’s mistakes. From misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis to wrong prescription dosages and surgical mistakes, patients who experience medical malpractice go through some degree of suffering.
In severe cases, there is no way to fix the resulting medical issues, and the victim’s life is altered forever. Some of the common long-term health problems victims of medical malpractice face include:
- Paralysis
- Chronic pain
- Brain injuries
- Depression and anxiety
- Nerve damage
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Amputations
The lifelong consequences of medical malpractice affect victims not only physically and mentally but financially as well. Medical malpractice victims often require long-term medical care, which can quickly become expensive.
If you’ve suffered harm due to medical malpractice, a Stamford attorney for medical malpractice wants to help get you the best possible financial outcome for your case.
Finding Fault in a Medical Malpractice Case
Along with determining the cause of your medical malpractice, you must figure out who can be held legally responsible for your resulting injuries. Without this key piece of information, you wouldn’t have the opportunity to pursue fair compensation.
It is not uncommon for a single party to be solely responsible for a patient’s harm. In many instances, though, multiple healthcare professionals or facilities share liability. Some of the parties that could be found responsible for your injuries include the following:
- Doctors, including emergency and primary care doctors and anesthesiologists
- Nurses, including registered nurses and nursing assistants
- Pharmacists
- Technicians
Additionally, healthcare facilities themselves, including hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers, can be held liable.
Medical malpractice cases tend to arise from negligence. When a party acts negligently, it means they’ve failed to behave in the reasonable manner another similarly situated person would have acted.
For example, if a physician fails to properly diagnose a patient’s medical condition, the law would compare the defendant’s actions to those of a doctor with similar education, training, and experience.
To successfully prove that a healthcare professional’s negligence caused you harm, you must show the following:
- The standard of care the medical provider owed you
- The deviation from this standard of care
- The relationship between the deviation of care and your resulting injuries
While the topic of liability may seem overwhelming, your Stamford medical malpractice attorney can handle it. Your lawyer has the right tools and resources to prove the responsible party’s liability, bringing you one step closer to favorable financial recovery.
Potential Compensation for Losses Suffered as a Result of Medical Malpractice
Damages for medical malpractice cases serve to provide compensation for your harm and related losses. The compensation you may be entitled to receive is ultimately based on the specific details of your claim, but it could include:
- Medical expenses for the past and future
- Lost earnings
- Diminished or lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for spouses and children
Your financial recovery depends on several factors that heavily influence the value of your claim. Your Stamford medical malpractice lawyer can review the specifics of your case to accurately calculate your damages and fight for full and fair compensation on your behalf.
Legal Guidance When You Need It Most
When a medical provider causes you harm, you’re not alone. The Stamford medical malpractice law firm of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge is here for you every step of the way.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
How it Works
Contingency Fees
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., we handle all Medical Malpractice cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.
Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer today. Contact us online or call our New Haven law firm directly at 203-865-8430.
Questions
Medical Malpractice FAQs
How Does Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Work in Connecticut?
Medical malpractice cases are handled differently in every state. In Connecticut, state lawmakers introduced a critical procedural step on the path to financial compensation. Under Connecticut law, before a plaintiff can file a medical malpractice lawsuit, they or their attorney must file a certificate with the court.
This certificate must make two key statements. First, it must state that a “reasonable inquiry” has been made by the patient or their legal representative to determine that there is a reason to believe the defendant has provided negligent healthcare. Second, it must proclaim that said inquiry gave rise to a reasonable belief that grounds exist to file a legal action against the named defendant.
In addition, as part of the “reasonable inquiry,” the plaintiff or their lawyer must obtain an opinion from a qualified expert, both written and signed, that includes the following:
- The medical expert’s opinion that medical malpractice harmed the plaintiff
- Details supporting their expert opinion.
The reasonable inquiry certificate must be filed in court along with the plaintiff’s complaint. Failure to file the certificate could result in dismissal of the medical malpractice lawsuit altogether.
Your Stamford lawyer for medical malpractice is well-versed in this procedure. They have the skills necessary to complete the required tasks to ensure that your case proceeds as it should.
What Do I Do if I’ve Lost a Loved One Due to Medical Malpractice?
In the most unfortunate circumstances, medical malpractice results in the victim’s death. If you’ve lost a loved one after they sought medical care from a negligent provider, you may have legal options. Our Stamford medical malpractice attorneys can assist you in filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
How Long Do I Have to File My Medical Malpractice Claim?
Like most civil claims, Connecticut provides a statute of limitations that restricts the amount of time a plaintiff has to file their case in court. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases is two years.
The period begins on the date the victim discovered — or reasonably should have discovered — the malpractice. Depending on your situation, an additional 90 days may be provided to perform the reasonable inquiry required by law.
Failure to file your medical malpractice lawsuit in time can negatively affect your ability to recover compensation for your harm. Therefore, you should consult a Stamford attorney for medical malpractice as soon as possible to begin working on your case.