Is Medical Malpractice A Personal Injury?

When people think of personal injury lawsuits, they often imagine car accidents, slip and falls, or defective products. However, medical malpractice also falls under personal injury law — but it has unique legal challenges that set it apart as a Bel Air, MD brain injury lawyer can attest who has received a 10.0 rating from Avvo.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a doctor’s mistake, you might be wondering: Is medical malpractice a personal injury case? The short answer is yes, but it comes with specific legal requirements and complexities that make it different from other personal injury claims.  Consulting with a medical malpractice attorney to decide whether to pursue a lawsuit will help inform and guide you in the process.  The medical malpractice lawyers at our firm can help you make that decision and give you the information about the legal process to help protect your rights and recover damages to compensate you for your injuries.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional or facility acts in a manner that fails to meet the accepted standard of care within their field, resulting in harm to a patient. This could include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis (e.g., failing to detect cancer)
• Surgical errors (e.g., operating on the wrong body part)
• Medication errors (e.g., prescribing the wrong dosage)
• Birth injuries (e.g., oxygen deprivation leading to cerebral palsy)
• Anesthesia mistakes (e.g., administering too much or too little anesthesia)
• Failure to obtain informed consent (e.g., not explaining risks before a procedure)

Unlike other personal injury cases, where negligence might involve a careless driver or unsafe property conditions, medical malpractice involves highly trained professionals making life-altering mistakes which is why it is important to hire a lawyer for your case in a timely fashion.

Key Differences Between Medical Malpractice And Other Personal Injury Claims

1. Expert Testimony Is Required

Unlike a car accident, where eyewitness testimony and police reports may be enough, medical malpractice cases require expert witnesses from the medical profession to establish:

• What the standard of care was or should have been
• How the doctor or hospital deviated from that standard
• How that deviation caused the harm

2 . Special Deadlines (Statute Of Limitations)

Each state has strict time limits for filing medical malpractice claims, which may be shorter than some general personal injury lawsuits. However, it depends on the state as normally medical malpractice suits are subject to some time limitations to file.  Some states also have “discovery rules”, meaning the clock starts when the patient discovers — or reasonably should have discovered — the injury.  Again, this varies depending on the state.

What Compensation Can You Recover In A Medical Malpractice Case?

Just like other personal injury cases, medical malpractice victims may be entitled to compensation for damages, including:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages (if the injury affects your ability to work)
• Pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional distress)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (if your injury impacts daily activities)
• Wrongful death damages (if a loved one dies due to malpractice)

The total compensation may depend on factors such as  the severity of the injury and how it impacts the victim’s life.  Medical malpractice litigation can take time to navigate through the courts, consulting a qualified medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible will help preserve evidence and protect your rights.

Some states limit the amount of compensation victims can receive in medical malpractice cases. These caps typically apply to non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) but generally not to not economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages).  Expert testimony for life care plans, economic loss, and future treatment are all important reasons why legal representation matters to protect the long-term costs of your case as an attorney can ensure these are used to get you the compensation you deserve.

When Should You Contact A Medical Malpractice Attorney?

If you believe you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, it’s crucial to act quickly. These cases are complex, and having an experienced medical malpractice attorney can make all the difference.

You may have a case if:

• Your condition worsened after treatment.
• A doctor failed to diagnose a serious condition.
• You received the wrong medication or treatment.
• You experienced complications from a surgical error.
• A loved one suffered a preventable injury or death in a hospital.

Yes, Medical Malpractice Is A Personal Injury Case — But It’s More Complicated

While medical malpractice is a type of personal injury case, it comes with stricter legal requirements, expert testimony, and tighter filing deadlines. If you believe you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence, consulting a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible is crucial to protecting your rights and enhancing your ability to recover

Our Super Lawyer rated attorneys handle medical malpractice cases nationwide. Our legal team will evaluate your case for free and help you obtain the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact Ketterer, Browne & Associates, LLC for a free consultation with a medical malpractice attorney now.