As a society, we place incredible trust in our healthcare providers to meet a certain standard of care and to uphold their oath to do no harm. However, doctors and hospitals are just as capable of mistakes as the rest of us and when these mistakes cause you injury, a medical malpractice claim or settlement may be available.
Our Chandler medical malpractice lawyers help patients and their loved ones assert their rights following a medical event that caused them injury, including obtaining compensation for their damages. As a locally owned and operated firm with a 30-year history, the team at Phillips Law Group prides itself on our integral involvement in bettering our community by raising awareness for claims related to medical malpractice and aiding individuals in their recovery process. Reach out to our dedicated personal injury attorneys today.
Circumstances That Could Constitute a Medical Malpractice Claim
Medical malpractice occurs under Arizona Revised Statute 12-563 when a healthcare provider fails to act with the amount of care and skill that another reasonable medical professional would provide in a similar circumstance and that failure causes injury.
A person’s injury from medical malpractice can occur in many different healthcare settings from simple physicals to complicated surgical procedures. Some examples of events and actions that could establish a claim for medical malpractice may include the following:
- Birth injuries
- Surgical error
- Medical testing errors
- Failing to treat a medical condition
- Improper medication recommendations
- Inadequate follow-up care and treatment
- Missed or delayed diagnosis of a condition
- Providing the wrong treatment or treating the wrong body part
These failures can result from practitioner inexperience and neglect, understaffed facilities, poor intake and diagnostic methods, and other administrative failures by a medical provider. Our trusted Chandler attorneys can review the details of a suspected medical malpractice event to determine whether there is a viable claim and who could be held responsible.
How Do You Know If Medical Malpractice Was the Cause of an Injury?
The challenge with medical malpractice claims is differentiating injuries that were an ordinary risk of a medical procedure from injuries due to the neglect or misconduct of a treating physician. The process often requires a detailed review of a person’s medical file and consultation from expert witnesses to identify potential malpractice. Our attorneys can provide support by requesting all medical records and enlisting the help of other doctors and experts to review for instances of malpractice.
Recoverable Damages in a Medical Malpractice Case
Similar to other personal injury lawsuits, an injured person in an Arizona medical malpractice case could pursue compensation for the following types of past and future damages:
- Medical expenses and costs
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Other applicable losses associated with quality of life and relationships
Arizona’s Constitution protects against damages caps in wrongful death or personal injury cases. This means there is no limit to the amount of compensation a jury could award someone in a medical malpractice case.
It is important to work with a Chandler attorney who has experience handling medical negligence cases to ensure any settlement awards or reward amounts adequately reflect the full extent of losses. Unlike other personal injury firms that focus solely on insurance payouts, our team is not afraid to take matters to court if necessary.
Deadline to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Arizona
Arizona Statute Section 12-542 places a two-year filing period for personal injury claims arising from medical malpractice. This statute of limitations generally begins on the date of the incident causing injury but could be later in some cases where knowledge or awareness of the injury happens later.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Chandler Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Medical malpractice injuries can place significant hardship on patients and their families. The need for experienced and supportive legal counsel after a personal injury accident is why we started Phillips Law Group over 30 years ago.
Our Chandler medical malpractice lawyers provide a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss potential claims and how our firm can best serve you. Please get in touch with a member of our team today to learn more about your rights after a medical malpractice injury.
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