Medical Malpractice Attorneys in St. Joseph, MO
Fighting for the rights of medical malpractice victims in Missouri
Anytime you visit a medical facility, whether it be a hospital or doctor's office you will encounter various medical professionals. These medical providers owe you a duty to give you quality care and attention for your ailments. They should not participate in actions that can lead to harm for their patients. When a member of your care team does not follow protocols and causes you to harm, they can be held liable for medical malpractice. This may mean that your injury has been made worse or you have a new condition you did not have prior to your visit.
Medical personnel are held up to high standards and are often some of the most trusted individuals you encounter. When they do not treat their patients with care, they can cause grave losses. You will need a St. Joseph medical malpractice attorney from Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys to investigate your claim and hold negligent medical staff liable for your injuries and conditions.
What are the different kinds of medical malpractice in St. Joseph?
It is important to remember that medical malpractice is only present in certain cases where the medical professional violated the standards of care that were expected for the procedure or visit. A St. Joseph medical malpractice attorney will need to evaluate your situation to determine whether it constitutes a medical malpractice. There are some common examples of medical malpractice cases which include:
- Anesthesia errors: When a patient is under anesthesia, the correct dosage should be administered. An anesthesiologist will also need to monitor the patient’s vital signs. If there is a miscalculation of the anesthesia this can lead to brain damage, permanent injury, and even death.
- Surgical errors: These types of injuries are often life-changing especially when there is surgery performed on the wrong body part. Other errors include leaving sponges and instruments inside of a patient.
- Birth injuries: Bringing a child into the world can be a beautiful experience unless a medical professional makes an error. If a condition was not diagnosed before the birth, this can lead to complications which in turn can result in medical malpractice. These injuries can often stay with the baby or mom for the rest of their lives.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: When a doctor diagnoses a patient with the wrong condition this can lead to unnecessary treatment and delayed treatment for the actual condition. In other cases, a life-threatening condition is diagnosed as something less severe. In both examples, this can lead to treatment being inadequate for the actual condition and therefore the condition becomes worse.
- Lack of informed consent: Before receiving any medical treatment, you must be formed of any risk associated with the treatment. If you are not informed this can constitute medical malpractice.
- Medication errors: When a medication is prescribed, it must be taken as directed and for the use it is intended. Several factors go into deciding on medication. When there is an error in dispensing the medication, this can lead to serious side effects for patients.
While these are the most common, there are many other ways that you can be injured by medical malpractice such as when a hospital or surgery center doesn't follow safety protocols or in any case where there are unapproved or substandard treatments. Often after medical negligence has been found, patients will need to seek new medical treatment to fix the previous condition as well as the new or worsened condition. You will need to discuss the particulars with your St. Joseph medical malpractice attorney to determine the best legal option to take.
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Compensation for medical malpractice in St. Joseph
The goal of a medical malpractice claim is to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. This often means that we will need to seek compensation for any damages that were caused by their behavior. If you have been injured by a negligent medical professional, you are entitled to compensation for some of the following:
- Lost income: If you are unable to work due to the injury you may be entitled to compensation for time off. This would also include the loss of future earning potential.
- Medical bills: You will undoubtedly have incurred additional medical bills because of the medical negligence. This may include surgeries, specialist visits, therapy, medications, and modifications to your home or vehicle.
- Pain and stuffing: There will be emotional damages that come with this kind of injury, and they must be considered in your claim. You may now also have chronic pain that is associated with your condition.
- Loss of consortium: You and your spouse need to enjoy quality time together and if you are no longer able to, due to this injury that can be another damage we can seek.
- Punitive damages: When a medical professional behaves egregiously this can lead to punitive damages being awarded. A prime example would be a surgeon operating while intoxicated.
If a loved one has passed away due to medical malpractice, the surviving family will be able to obtain compensation through a wrongful death claim.
If you have sustained a permanent disability from medical malpractice, this will require a lifetime of care and lifestyle modifications. A St. Joseph medical malpractice attorney will work to obtain compensation for your injuries by negotiating with insurance adjusters, working with mediators, and even trying your case in front of a jury.
Note: Missouri places caps on certain types of damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. Your St. Joseph medical malpractice attorney will be able to advise you on which damages and caps are relevant to your case.
Who can be held liable for medical malpractice in St. Joseph?
You may think that it will be obvious who the negligent party is, but the reality is that various parties can be held liable for medical malpractice. There are even some cases where more than one party is culpable for your condition. There may have even been professionals who treated you behind the scenes and you never met them. Do not make assumptions about who the negligent party was. Some parties that can be held responsible for medical malpractice are:
- Medical facilities
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Surgeons
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Chiropractors
- Physician assistants
There can be several parties who are responsible for your injury and worsening condition. The liable party may not be obvious without an investigation. As experienced St. Joseph medical malpractice attorneys, we can collect relevant evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
Do you have a medical malpractice attorney near me?
Our St. Joseph office is located at 2501 Frederick Avenue Suite 100 by appointment. We also see clients throughout Missouri and Kansas.
Work with a St. Joseph Medical malpractice attorney today
When medical malpractice happens, victims are often left wondering what to do and how this happened. As a patient, you may require additional medical treatment. This can include surgeries, therapy, and more. The worst possible cases, however, result in the death of a loved one. This will require a St. Joseph medical malpractice attorney to file a wrongful death suit that cites medical malpractice as the cause.
Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys are ready to hold negligent medical professionals responsible for the injury they have caused you. We are here to help you if you or a loved one have been injured in a medical malpractice accident. Call us at 816-471-5111, or complete our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation today.
St. Joseph Office
2501 Frederick Avenue, Ste. 100,
St. Joseph, MO 64506
