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Phoenix Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When you or a loved one entrusts your health and well-being to a medical professional, you expect the highest standard of care. However, medical malpractice can shatter that trust and leave you or your family facing physical, emotional, and financial burdens. If you or someone you care about has suffered due to medical negligence, you need a Phoenix medical malpractice lawyer to guide you through the complex maze of the legal system and get you the justice you deserve. Contact Gallagher & Kennedy for your free and confidential consultation, and let us explain how we can help.

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Why Clients Choose the Phoenix Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Gallagher & Kennedy

Gallagher and Kennedy is a personal injury law firm dedicated to bringing justice to accident victims in their greatest time of need.

  • We are passionate about improving the health care industry in Arizona. We not only advocate for injured victims’ rights; we also pressure hospitals and lawmakers to initiate policy changes on an institutional level.
  • We are proud to have earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious and successful plaintiffs’ practices in Arizona. We have a proven track record of results, with hundreds of millions earned on behalf of our medical malpractice clients.
  • We charge zero upfront costs to retain our legal services. You will not pay for our services at all if your medical malpractice lawyer does not secure you a settlement award or jury verdict for your damages.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is the legal term for a physician or health care center’s mistakes that cause patient injuries, illnesses, or deaths. When healthcare practitioners fail to meet the expected standards of care within the medical industry, patients can suffer the consequences.

After these preventable disasters, injured patients may file medical malpractice lawsuits against the at-fault party or parties in pursuit of monetary damages. Patients may secure compensation if they or their lawyers can prove the defendants’ fault for the injuries in question.

Types of Medical Malpractice

A negligent or incompetent healthcare practitioner could derail a patient’s treatment or recovery in many different ways. Any action or omission that an ordinary medical professional would not have committed in the same circumstances, resulting in patient injury or death, could constitute medical malpractice. There are several types of medical malpractice, including:

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

When a healthcare provider fails to correctly diagnose a medical condition or delays the diagnosis, it can lead to delayed treatment, worsening of the condition, and further harm.

Surgical Errors

These include mistakes made during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or performing unnecessary procedures.

Medication Errors

Medication errors can involve prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or administering drugs that interact negatively with each other. These errors can have serious consequences.

Birth Injuries

Medical malpractice during childbirth can lead to birth injuries for the baby or complications for the mother. Examples include brain injuries, nerve damage, or fractures during delivery.

Anesthesia Errors

Mistakes in administering anesthesia can result in serious complications, including allergic reactions, respiratory problems, or even death.

Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse

When residents in nursing homes are not properly cared for, it can lead to injuries, bedsores, malnutrition, or emotional abuse.

Inadequate Informed Consent

Patients have the right to be informed about the risks and benefits of a medical procedure or treatment. Failing to obtain proper informed consent can lead to medical malpractice claims.

Failure to Follow Standard Procedures

If healthcare professionals fail to follow established procedures, protocols, or guidelines, it can result in harm to the patient.

Laboratory and Diagnostic Errors

Mistakes in analyzing lab results or interpreting diagnostic tests, like X-rays or MRIs, can lead to misdiagnoses or delayed treatment.

Dental Malpractice

Dentists can be liable for malpractice if they make mistakes during procedures, misdiagnose oral conditions, or cause injuries during dental work.

Psychiatric Malpractice

Mental health professionals can be held accountable for negligent care, misdiagnosis, or inappropriate treatment that causes harm to patients.

Lack of Informed Consent for Experimental Treatments

If a patient is not properly informed about experimental or investigational treatments and suffers harm as a result, it can lead to a medical malpractice claim.

Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle

The personal injury lawyers at Gallagher & Kennedy, handle a variety of medical malpractice claims, including:

All forms of medical malpractice could potentially be deadly for patients. Standards of care in the medical industry are high to prevent patient injuries. Even minor mistakes could be devastating to patients. Doing something that falls outside a physician or hospital’s duties of care to a patient is an act of negligence, recklessness, or carelessness. This could expose the healthcare professional or facility to liability for damages.

If you suspect you or your loved one is a victim of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. Contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney at Gallagher & Kennedy today.

Compensation Available in Medical Malpractice Claims

In Arizona, like in many other states, individuals who have been victims of medical malpractice may be eligible for various types of compensation. The specific compensation available in a medical malpractice claim can vary based on the circumstances of the case and the extent of the injuries. These damages can be broadly categorized into two main types: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

  • Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of past and future medical treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, medication, therapy, and other medical bills directly related to the malpractice.
  • Lost Income: If the victim is unable to work due to the malpractice, they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, benefits, and earning capacity.
  • Property Damage: In cases where medical equipment or devices were damaged or lost as a result of the malpractice, the cost of repairing or replacing such items may be recoverable.
  • Other Financial Losses: This category may include out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation costs, home healthcare expenses, and any other expenses incurred due to the malpractice.

Non-Economic Damages:

  • Pain and Suffering: This compensation is intended to cover the physical and emotional pain, as well as the loss of enjoyment of life, experienced by the victim as a result of the malpractice.
  • Emotional Distress: Victims of medical malpractice may suffer from anxiety, depression, or other emotional distress as a result of their injuries. Compensation can be awarded for these psychological effects.
  • Loss of Consortium: This is a type of compensation that can be sought by a spouse or family member of the injured patient, due to the negative impact the malpractice has on the victim’s relationship and companionship.
  • Scarring and Disfigurement: If the malpractice resulted in permanent scarring or disfigurement, the victim may be entitled to compensation for the physical changes to their appearance.
  • Loss of Quality of Life: This accounts for the decrease in the victim’s overall quality of life, including their ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed.

Deadline for Filing Medical Malpractice Lawsuits in Arizona

The deadline for filing medical malpractice lawsuits is different in each state. In most cases, the statute of limitations in Arizona for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is two years from the date of injury. A few exceptions to the rule exist. For example, patients may not immediately realize they are victims of medical malpractice. Arizona law allows injured clients two years from the date of the discovery of medical malpractice to file a personal injury claim in civil court. If the victim is a minor under the age of 18, the two-year timeline does not start until the child’s 18th birthday.

Claimants must file certificates with legal opinions on the legitimacy of the cases to have a valid medical malpractice case in Arizona. A Phoenix medical malpractice attorney can assist with any documentation related to your case.

Contact the Phoenix Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Gallagher & Kennedy Today

The Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Gallagher & Kennedy work hard to put an end to medical malpractice in the community. We go up against hospitals and medical professionals in Arizona to shed light on malpractice and obtain fair recoveries for victims. You do not have to navigate Arizona’s medical malpractice statutes alone. Our Phoenix medical malpractice lawyers are experienced in these personal injury claims. We can help you and your family fight for justice and financial compensation. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your medical malpractice case today at (602) 530-8400.

Gallagher Kennedy – Phoenix Office

2575 E Camelback Rd, Suite 810
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Tel: (602) 530-8400