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Medical Malpractice

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We rely on physicians, doctors, nurses, surgeons, and a wide range of health care workers to provide critical and often life-saving care. In the vast majority of instances, these professionals work to the highest standards of their professions to meet the needs of patients and the expectations of the law and their professions, but in certain situations negligence leads to serious injury or accidental death.

When the actions of a doctor, nurse, or care provider create further injury, it is important to review your case with an experienced and well-equipped attorney. At the law office of Holder Susan Slusher, LLC in Columbia, Missouri, our lawyers are proven trial lawyers with an extensive record of past success. If you have a strong case for medical malpractice, we can put the right resources, tools, and effort behind you in and out of the courtroom.

Fighting Medical Malpractice in Hospitals, Clinics and Nursing Homes

Health care in the state of Missouri and across the nation is a pressing issue with medical professionals working under intense pressure to keep costs low. Many of the professionals we rely on provide the best care they can under the conditions, but when errors do occur either out of negligence, improper training or wrongdoing, the burden should not be placed on the patient for someone else's error.

These medical malpractice claims are notoriously difficult to fight in the courtroom, and to be effective requires a complete range of resources and a willingness to commit fully to the case.

What Does Medical Malpractice Look Like in Hospitals and Clinics?

While hospitals and clinics are meant to be places people can go to seek professional medical advice, treatment, and better health, there are times when some hospitals, clinics, and other medical practices can exhibit signs of medical malpractice. These signs may look like:

  • Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose
  • Childbirth injuries
  • Medication errors
  • Surgical errors
  • Failure to provide medical treatment
  • Failure to send a patient to the hospital or ER when needed
  • Using staff as a nurse's aide when it is appropriate to use an RN or physician
  • Lack of professionalism to prevent injuries while at the hospital or clinic

What Does Medical Malpractice in Nursing Homes Look Like?

Nursing homes are another place of service and protection that people should be able to trust when taking care of their loved ones. However, nursing homes in the US are one of the most common settings of medical malpractice. Examples include:

  • Giving patients the wrong dosage or the wrong medication
  • Failure to monitor patients properly
  • Failure to monitor vital symptoms
  • Ignoring the patient’s needs
  • Failure to provide the patient with food or drinks
  • Not assisting patients with mobility, leading to bed sores and injury
  • Unnecessary restraint

How common is Medical Malpratice?

Medical errors are fairly common in the United States. It’s estimated that a couple hundred thousand deaths are caused by medical malpractice annually. Millions more people are non-fatally injured. In years past, medical malpractice has been in the top three causes of death nationwide.

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice?

Statutes of limitation set deadlines for filing injury and wrongful death claims. Because the clock starts ticking on these cases as soon as the injury occurs, it’s important to get in touch with our attorneys promptly. Once we learn more about your situation and how your injury occurred, we can let you know if there’s still time to file a claim. It’s important to get an individualized answer to the question of deadlines because there are certain extenuating circumstances that can increase the amount of time you have to file.

What Should I Do If I Suspect Medical Malpractice?

Avoid Discussing Malpractice with Your Doctor, Physician, or Caretaker.

If you suspect medical malpractice, do not accuse your provider of it before speaking with an attorney to determine your best course of action. Utilizing the proper legal strategy can increase the chances of your medical malpractice lawsuit being successful.

Find Another Doctor.

Although getting compensation and finding the right legal representation is important, your health and the health of your loved ones should be your number one priority. If you suspect medical malpractice at your hospital, clinic, or nursing home, find a new provider immediately.

Obtain Your Medical Records.

Getting your medical records can serve as evidence in a medical malpractice case. They can often show proof of a misdiagnosis or the wrong treatment. Obtain these records from your former physician once you have found a new provider. Keep these documents safe.

If you have the right case, then our office can put together the right case in matters of:
Surgical error Unnecessary restraint
Nursing malpractice Bed sores
Misdiagnosis Negligent supervision or hiring of personnel
Improper medication

When we take on your medical malpractice case, we will fully investigate the facts, consult with highly respected experts, pursue all avenues of recovery and thoroughly prepare to present your argument in and out of the courtroom.

What kind of evidence is needed for a medical malpractice case?

Medical Malpractice Each case is really unique. There’s no way to pre-determine what evidence will benefit your claim before speaking with you personally. In general, the following may be helpful to a medical malpractice claim:

  • Medical records
  • Diagnoses
  • Treatment plans
  • Billing statements
  • Emailed communications
  • Personal journal
  • Photographs of injuries
  • Timeline of events
  • Names of people involved

You can rely on our attorneys to investigate your claim and build a strategy to obtain the best possible resolution. If we need certain documents or evidence from you, we will work with you to acquire those items.

How can I prepare for my case in court?

Not all medical malpractice cases go before a jury or go to trial. Many cases settle in negotiations handled by your attorney outside of the courtroom. If your case does go to trial, or if other negotiations are underway, you can certainly rely on our attorneys to make sure you are prepared.

Generally speaking, we are your advocates and we do the heavy-lifting while you focus on getting well. We take the burden of pursuing compensation off your shoulders. Having said that, we will make sure you know what to expect if you have to give a statement, be interviewed, provide evidence, or go to court.

How long can a case take in court?

Whether a case goes to trial or is settled outside of the courtroom, it can take a few months to several years to fully resolve. The duration is highly dependent on the circumstances. We of course understand that our clients want to put these matters to rest as quickly as possible, but we also want to vigorously pursue the best results. Once we’ve met you in person to discuss your claim, we can provide an estimated timeline, with the caveat that sometimes these cases extend further than the expected resolution date. You can rely on us to resolve your case as efficiently as possible.

What kind of compensation should I expect?

It’s important to note that compensation cannot be guaranteed in any case. We will work tirelessly to obtain the best possible outcome for you and your family. In the event that monetary compensation is awarded, damages may include:

  • Medical bills
  • Loss of wages
  • Diminished earning capacity/loss of future earning capacity
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish

Each victim of medical errors is impacted a bit differently. Once we get to know you and how your injury has changed your life, we can tirelessly pursue full compensation for all of the financial and non-financial consequences of the injury.

Contact Our Missouri Law Firm for a Free Case Review

Find out if we are the right Missouri law firm to take on your medical malpractice case today. Call us in Columbia at 573-499-1700 or reach us online to schedule a free initial consultation and case review.

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