Patients submit to medical treatment with the hope and expectation of improving their health. They certainly do not expect to be harmed by medical errors or mistakes. Unfortunately, the medical system in the United States is far from perfect, and errors within it are shockingly common. In the most tragic cases, medical negligence can lead to the wrongful death of a patient, leaving families devastated and grappling with both emotional and financial losses. Such outcomes underscore the importance of holding healthcare providers accountable for their actions.
Patients injured by medical malpractice often face long-term consequences, such as chronic pain, disability, or the need for ongoing medical care. These consequences can significantly complicate the recovery process and the pursuit of compensation. In many cases, claims are further complicated if the healthcare provider is underinsured, making it more difficult for victims to receive the full compensation they deserve. Legal representation is often necessary to navigate these complex claims and ensure victims are not left to bear the burden alone.
In some cases, medical malpractice can occur alongside other personal injury claims, such as those involving truck or auto accidents. For example, if a patient is injured in a serious car accident and later receives inadequate care or treatment errors during their recovery, they may have grounds for both a personal injury and a medical malpractice claim. Understanding the overlap between these legal areas is crucial to ensuring that all responsible parties are held accountable for the harm caused.
Nursing home negligence may also intersect with medical malpractice, as inadequate care or medical mistakes in these facilities can lead to further injury or even death for vulnerable residents. When nursing homes fail to meet the medical needs of their residents, the consequences can be severe, leading to physical and emotional suffering. Families affected by such negligence must explore both nursing home and medical malpractice claims to ensure that justice is served and that their loved ones receive the care they deserve.
A study by John Hopkins Medicine found medical mistakes are now the third-leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 1 in 10 deaths. More than 250,000 medical deaths a year are caused by medical error, compared to about 35,000 for car accidents.
When a patient is injured or killed by medical error, early consultation with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Wichita is vital to protecting their rights and the financial wellbeing of their family. These are complex cases that must be pursued against some of the largest insurance companies and most experienced insurance defense firms in the nation. Failure to protect your rights at the earliest stage of such cases can be devastating to your ability to collect all of the damages to which you are entitled under the law.
Common causes of medical malpractice include:
Not only does medical malpractice significantly reduce, or eliminate, a patient’s chance of a positive outcome, it typically significantly increases the length of hospital stays and the cost of treatment, for which the patient is billed!
Early consultation with a medical malpractice attorney in Wichita can protect your rights throughout the remainder of your treatment and help ensure you are properly compensated for resulting damages, including economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
The veteran Wichita medical malpractice lawyers at Riedmiller, Andersen and Scott LLC represent injury victims and their families in Wichita, Kansas and the surrounding areas, including Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, Bel Aire, Eastbourough, Andover, Derby, Newton, El Dorado, Arkansas City, Winfield, Haysville, Goddard and Maize. For a confidential consultation to discuss your rights call 316-648-1369.