Medical malpractice refers to personal injury negligence committed on the part of a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or any other medical professional. Medical malpractice is responsible for thousands of injuries and wrongful deaths each year, and continues to be a concern among patients, doctors, and their insurance companies, especially in Chicago, Illinois.
Medical malpractice can have tragic consequences for victims and their families. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences estimates that 98,000 people die from injuries related to medical negligence every year. Many others suffer lifelong disabilities as a result of their malpractice-related injuries.
Medical mistakes by doctors and other health professionals occur for a variety of reasons and under a variety of circumstances. The following is a list of common medical mistakes:
- Surgical errors
- Medication errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Birth injuries
- Misdiagnosis
- Failure to treat
- Delayed treatment
- Improper treatment
The wrong procedure, an unnecessary procedure, or poor technical competence during the procedure can extend hospital stays and increase the risk of complications including the need for additional surgeries. Our medical malpractice attorneys specialize in holding physicians accountable for medical malpractice including misdiagnosis and other mistreatment that can lead to patient complications.
Medical malpractice results in over 100,000 people dying in United States hospitals each year. Hundreds of thousands more fail to recover properly from their illnesses, are misdiagnosed, get worse, or are actively injured by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals.
Chicago Compensatory Damages
Medical malpractice can cause temporary injuries, permanent injuries, or death. Depending upon the injuries, a plaintiff may seek recovery for pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, medical expenses, and lost wages. If death results, the heirs of the decedent may seek compensation for pain and suffering the decedent may have experienced before death. The heirs may also recover damages for grief and sorrow, loss of companionship, moral guidance, and financial support.
Chicago Medical Negligence Lawyers
Medical malpractice and negligence can occur in a variety of scenarios, ranging from wrong site surgery to misreading of x-rays or other medical test results. Despite the cause, mistakes made by medical professionals often lead to irreversible, traumatic injuries.
If you think you may be a victim of medical malpractice, you should speak with a knowledgeable Chicago medical malpractice attorney about your legal options and rights to compensation. If you can prove that a doctor, hospital or healthcare provider was negligent in your medical treatment, you could be awarded damages for your medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, financial hardship, and decreased quality of life.
