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Pine Bluff Medical Malpractice Lawyer

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Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC

Pine Bluff Medical Malpractice Attorney

Every medical professional has a legal duty to treat their patients safely and effectively, using proven tools and techniques. There is a “standard of care” that governs the conduct of medical professionals. When they fail to do so and cause injuries, they commit medical malpractice and may harm their patients severely. An experienced Pine Bluff medical malpractice lawyer can help if you or a loved one has experienced this.

Representing Medical Malpractice Suits in Pine Bluff, AR

The Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, offers client-focused legal counsel in a wide range of personal injury cases, including complex medical malpractice claims. We have professional experience helping clients in Pine Bluff and surrounding areas pursue accountability and compensation for their damages, and we can apply this experience to your medical malpractice case.

Even if you know that you were harmed by a medical professional’s negligence, simply proceeding directly to filing a personal injury claim against them might not be the best course. There are special rules for medical malpractice cases you must understand and follow, and the right attorney can be an essential asset to have on your side as you build your case. Our team is committed to helping every one of our clients maximize their recovery as much as state law allows.

inr Geoffrey D. Kearney
Pine Bluff Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Call Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC today at 870-376-3068 for your Free Consultation!

Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases in Pine Bluff

Medical malpractice can occur in many ways. The general definition of medical malpractice is any situation in which a medical professional’s negligence and failure to meet the standard of care in a particular situation results in harm to the patient. Some of the most commonly cited types of medical malpractice in Pine Bluff include:

  • Misdiagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure proper care for any patient. A diagnosing physician can face a medical malpractice claim if they fail to diagnose a patient correctly or fail to deliver an accurate diagnosis. In either case, the patient’s condition may go untreated long enough for it to worsen considerably, and they could also be subjected to ineffective treatments that cause more harm than good.
  • Drug errors. Any doctor prescribing medication must ensure the prescription is accurate, and pharmacists must fill prescriptions accurately. A drug error claim may pertain to harm done by prescribing the wrong medication, wrong dosage, or by failing to account for a patient’s unique medical history.
  • Surgical errors. Every surgical procedure entails some degree of risk, but there is a clear difference between an honest mistake during a procedure performed in good faith and an injury caused by negligence in the operating room. This type of case could involve traumatic injury to the patient, leaving surgical tools and materials inside of their body, or performing an incorrect procedure.
  • Birth injuries. Any injury to a baby during childbirth has the potential to cause lifelong disabilities. It is also possible for a birth injury case to involve harm to the mother.These injuries may occur from failure to monitor patient vital signs, failure to administer correct medications, and failure to recognize signs of fetal distress.
  • Emergency room errors. The emergency room is one of the most chaotic parts of any hospital, but emergency room staff are still expected to adhere to the appropriate standards of care in treating every patient. This type of malpractice case can arise if the emergency room fails to perform timely intake on a patient clearly in need of immediate care, performs a procedure incorrectly, or provides any other sort of negligent care resulting in harm to the patient.
  • Informed consent violations. Informed consent is crucial for every type of medical care. When a doctor suggests any course of treatment, they must properly explain the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient so the patient can make the most informed decision possible about their medical care. A patient could suffer harm from a procedure to which they would not have agreed if they had fully informed consent.

Medicine is an inherently uncertain field, and there is a margin for error with any type of medical treatment. However, there is a difference between a mistake during a challenging or uncertain situation and harm caused by negligence. Your Pine Bluff medical malpractice lawyer can be instrumental in helping you evaluate your case, building an effective claim, and holding a negligent medical professional accountable for the harm they have done.

Building Your Medical Malpractice Case in Pine Bluff

If you believe that you or a loved one has been harmed by negligent medical care, it is crucial that you consult an experienced Pine Bluff medical malpractice lawyer as quickly as possible. You may need to work quickly to gather the evidence required to prove you were harmed by medical malpractice. Additionally,you may face statutory deadlines for filing your claim with the court.

Your attorney will need to coordinate expert witness testimony to support your case. This is a specific requirement for medical malpractice suits in the state, and the expert witness who provides their testimony must hold the same or greater qualifications as the defendant. For example, if you are filing a suit against an OB/GYN, you must obtain expert witness testimony from an equivalently qualified OB/GYN.

This expert witness must provide a sworn statement explaining, among other things, how the defendant breached the standard of care the plaintiff required in the situation and how their actions harmed the patient.The testimony must prove provide a basis to determine that the harm done to the patient was the proximate result of the defendant’s actions and would not have otherwise occurred.

Success with a medical malpractice suit in Pine Bluff could hold the defendant accountable for the financial losses they inflicted on the victim and their family, such as additional medical expenses, anticipated future medical treatment costs for managing the injury, and lost income if the injury prevented the victim from working and earning income. The victim can also seek compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced.

If you believe you have grounds to file a medical malpractice suit in Pine Bluff, it is crucial that you connect with an experienced attorney as quickly as possible. They can help you gather the foundational elements of your claim and file it correctly and on time. The Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, is standing by to assist you with your medical malpractice suit in Pine Bluff.

FAQs

Who Can Give Expert Witness Testimony in a Medical Malpractice Case?

Only certain parties may give expert witness testimony in a medical malpractice case. This witness must explain how the defendant failed to meet the appropriate standard of care for the plaintiff’s diagnosis.

What Damages Can I Claim in a Medical Malpractice Case?

The damages you can claim in a medical malpractice case may be economic and/or non-economic in nature. You have the right to seek full repayment of any direct financial losses resulting from the defendant’s actions, such as additional medical expenses incurred to fix their error and lost income, if you were unable to work while you recovered. The plaintiff may also claim compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced.

How Is Pain and Suffering Compensation Calculated in a Medical Malpractice Case?

In a medical malpractice case, pain and suffering are generally calculated based on the overall severity of the victim’s injuries and the scope of long-term or permanent harm they face because of those injuries. Arkansas does not impose a cap or limit on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, including medical malpractice cases, so generally, the more serious the injury, the more the plaintiff is likely to obtain in pain and suffering compensation.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Medical Malpractice Case in Pine Bluff?

The time required to settle a medical malpractice case in Pine Bluff varies. When a defendant is clearly liable for medical malpractice, they will typically want to settle the case as quickly and as quietly as possible, and this process may not take very long in some cases. However, settlement is not always a viable option, and if litigation is necessary, trial proceedings will take much longer to complete.

Why Should I Hire a Pine Bluff Medical Malpractice Lawyer?

You should hire a Pine Bluff medical malpractice lawyer because these are some of the most challenging personal injury cases anyone can face. While a medical malpractice case is a type of personal injury case, there are special rules that apply to medical malpractice cases that you must understand and follow if you are to succeed. Having an experienced attorney representing you significantly improves your chances of success.

Contact a Pine Bluff Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

The Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, can provide compassionate and responsive legal counsel through all stages of your medical malpractice case in Pine Bluff. If you believe any medical provider has failed to meet the standard of care you require and you have suffered an injury as a result, we can help you hold them accountable. Contact us today and schedule a consultation with a Pine Bluff medical malpractice lawyer to learn how we can help.

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