When we go to the hospital, we expect to receive the best medical care and treatment possible. However, medical malpractice can occur when healthcare providers fail to provide the standard of care that patients deserve. Medical malpractice can have severe consequences, including injuries, illnesses, and even death. If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice in Louisville, it is crucial to understand your legal rights and options.
Our experienced Louisville medical malpractice lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and pursue a claim against the responsible parties. Contact Gray & White Law today at (502) 210-8942 or toll-free at (888) 450-4456 to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how our law firm can help.
Types of Medical Malpractice That Happen in Hospitals
Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and other staff, fail to provide the appropriate standard of care that patients expect and deserve. Medical malpractice can take various forms, including:
- Misdiagnosis
- Delayed diagnosis
- Surgical errors
- Medication errors; and
- Hospital negligence
A Medical malpractice case can happen at any stage of the medical care process, including diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and post-operative care.
Potential Causes of Medical Malpractice
Several factors can contribute to medical malpractice in Kentucky. Some potential causes of medical malpractice include
- Understaffing
- Inadequate training
- Poor communication between healthcare providers
- Equipment failure; and
- Lack of proper protocols and procedures
Hospitals have a duty to ensure that their staff is adequately trained and qualified to provide medical care and treatment to patients. When they fail in this respect, and a patient is injured, the hospital and medical professionals involved can be held legally accountable.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove Medical Malpractice in Kentucky?
Medical malpractice cases are more complicated and require a lot more proof than the average personal injury case. To prove medical malpractice, you will need to provide various types of evidence, including:
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Expert opinions; and
- Other documents.
Medical records can help show that the healthcare provider failed to provide the appropriate standard of care. Witness statements can help provide additional details and perspectives on the incident. Expert opinions from medical professional can help establish the standard of care and whether the healthcare provider breached that standard. Other documents, such as hospital policies and procedures, can also be used as evidence. A skilled Louisville personal injury attorney at Gray & White, PLLC will gather necessary evidence to prove your medical malpractice case.
Compensation Available for Medical Malpractice
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice in Louisville, you may be entitled to compensation for a range of damages. The types of compensation available to you may include:
- Economic damages – Compensation for tangible losses, like medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses
- Non-economic damages – These types of damages compensate you for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In addition, in the most egregious cases of medical malpractice, you may also be awarded punitive damages to punish the healthcare provider for their actions.
Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Cases
In the most extreme cases medical malpractice can result in a patient losing their life. A medical malpractice wrongful death case arises when a patient dies due to medical malpractice. This can occur as a result of any of the causes discussed above, including surgical or medication errors, failure to diagnose, or hospital negligence.
If you have lost a loved one as a result of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for damages the deceased’s estate and their surviving family members have suffered as a result of their death. This compensation can include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of the deceased’s income and financial support
- The deceased’s pain and suffering before death
- The deceased’s final medical bills; and
- Loss of consortium for a spouse or minor child
The Time Limit for Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the time limit for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is generally one year from the date of the injury or discovery of the injury. It is crucial to consult with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that you meet the deadline for filing a claim. Miss the deadline to file a lawsuit, and you may never be able to recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
Our Louisville Medical Malpractice Lawyers Are Here to Help You Get Compensation for Your Injuries and Losses
Medical malpractice can have severe consequences for the victim, including injuries, illnesses, and even death. If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice in Louisville, it is crucial that you understand your legal rights and options, and that you work with an experienced medical malpractice attorney who can give you the best chance to hold the responsible parties accountable and obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact our Louisville medical malpractice attorney today online or by calling (502) 210-8942 or toll-free (888) 450-4456 to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.