Boynton Beach Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers are human beings like the rest of us. This means they make mistakes. The problem is that a “mistake” in patient care can lead to serious complications–including death. And when a mistake represents a deviation from the accepted standard of care, that is considered medical malpractice under Florida law.
The experienced Boynton Beach medical malpractice lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez can assist you with investigating and pursuing a negligence claim against a healthcare provider. Medical malpractice cases are often quite complex and require a detailed knowledge of the law. We understand how to build–and win–malpractice cases, and we can put our skill to work for you.
What Qualifies as Medical Malpractice in Florida?
Medical malpractice may occur at any stage of the doctor-patient relationship. Not all malpractice is immediately obvious. Days, weeks, or months may pass before a doctor or provider’s “mistake” is discovered.
Here are some of the more common types of medical malpractice we deal with at Leifer & Ramirez:
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Surgical errors– This is perhaps the category most people associate with malpractice since these cases tend to generate headlines. Basically, any mistake made during a surgical procedure may qualify as malpractice, such as operating on the wrong side of the body or leaving an instrument inside of a patient.
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Birth defects and injuries– Prenatal and newborn children are among the most fragile and vulnerable of patients. If a doctor fails to properly test a child in-utero for certain birth defects–or a mistake is made during delivery–the newborn may face a lifetime of developmental disabilities.
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Failure to diagnose– In many cases, a doctor’s failure to identify a patient’s condition leads to a delay in receiving the correct treatment, thereby leaving the patient in a substantially worse position.
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Misdiagnosis– Along similar lines, some doctors simply give an incorrect diagnosis, which can lead to the same complications as a failure to diagnose.
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Medication errors– Doctors, nurses, and pharmacies often make mistakes when prescribing medication.
Get Help Proving Your Medical Malpractice Claim
A medical malpractice lawsuit is not your typical personal injury claim. For one thing, you need expert testimony to make your case. The reason for this is Florida law presumes lay jurors are incapable of determining whether or not a doctor deviated from the accepted “standard of care” unless a medical expert explains what the doctor, hospital, nurse, or other provider did wrong.
Beyond establishing negligence, you must also prove that the act of malpractice actually caused your injury and forced you to sustain losses. In other words, you need to prove the existence of damages. This can include economic losses, such as medical bills or lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for your pain and suffering.
One final thing to keep in mind: Florida imposes strict time limits on bringing medical malpractice claims. This is why you should not delay in seeking legal advice if you suspect that you are the victim of medical malpractice. Contact Leifer & Ramirez today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a member of our malpractice legal team today.
