When you visit a doctor or hospital for medical care, the last thing you expect is to leave worse off than you were before due to medical malpractice. Unfortunately, the health care system has many pitfalls that increase the odds of patients receiving subpar care and suffering related injuries, illnesses, health complications, infections and even death. Learn when to reach out to a medical malpractice lawyer in Wallingford to evaluate a potential claim on your behalf.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is when a doctor, nurse, surgeon, or another licensed healthcare practitioner fails to provide adequate care or treatment to a patient. The medical industry has certain standards in place that providers must meet. If a doctor negligently or knowingly falls short of these standards, it is the civil tort of medical malpractice.
Any negligent action or failure to act by a medical professional in Connecticut could lead to a serious or life-threatening adverse patient health outcome. If there is evidence of medical malpractice, the patient may be able to file a civil lawsuit in pursuit of financial compensation for his or her losses.
Do You Have a Medical Malpractice Claim?
A medical malpractice claim is a civil legal action filed against a healthcare provider for allegedly falling short of the standard of care and causing or materially contributing to a patient’s injury or death. This action seeks justice in the form of financial compensation from the at-fault party to make up for the victim’s medical bills and other losses.
You may have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim in Connecticut if the following elements are true:
A doctor-patient relationship existed that gave your physician a duty of care.
Your doctor breached or violated the medical industry’s standards of care.
The doctor or health care provider’s mistake caused your injury or a loved one’s death.
You or the victim suffered damages as a result of the medical malpractice.
To find out if you have grounds for a medical malpractice claim, you should contact an attorney right away. The burden of proof in a medical malpractice case is a preponderance of the evidence, otherwise known as “more likely to be true than not true.” An attorney can examine your case, search for signs and evidence of malpractice, and help you file the paperwork to initiate a claim.
Statute of Limitations on a Medical Malpractice Claim in Connecticut
If you or someone you love suffered an injury or decline in health due to what you suspect was medical malpractice, do not wait to contact an attorney in Connecticut. A state law known as the statute of limitations places a strict deadline of two years on bringing a medical malpractice legal action.
If you wait and allow more than two years to pass from the date the victim sustained the injury or discovered it was caused by medical malpractice, you will most likely lose the ability to seek financial compensation. For this reason, it is important to contact an attorney about a potential medical malpractice lawsuit as soon as possible.
To request a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer in Wallingford, call Loughlin & FitzGerald, P.C. at (203) 902-4504 today.
