Your Diligent King County, WA Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Determining whether your medical malpractice claim is valid can be challenging, but knowing what to look out for can be helpful.

Medical malpractice claims come in various types, which can make it difficult for victims to tell if they have a valid claim. If your healthcare provider failed to do the following:

• Did not take an oral history, physical examination, or other appropriate medical tests
• Did not provide a timely diagnosis or provide a valid explanation why a diagnosis was being delayed
• Did not advise you of any risks associated with the treatment and the possible side effects
• Did not obtain written informed consent for surgeries and other procedures…

If this negligence leads to injury and harm, you may have a medical malpractice case.

Other factors that might indicate a valid medical malpractice claim include:

• Pain and symptoms that continue after a treatment that you thought would address your condition.
• Lack of adequate monitoring immediately after treatment or surgery and failure to conduct regular follow-ups.
• The doctor fails to answer your questions or listen to your complaints.
• The medications provided do not improve your health or alleviate the symptoms.
• You develop an infection after visiting the hospital, undergoing surgery, or receiving treatment.

Once you consult with your attorney, you should be able to tell if you can legally proceed with a medical malpractice lawsuit.

What Are The Elements Of A Medical Malpractice Claim?

After assessing your case and determining that you have grounds for a claim, your medical malpractice settlement lawyer will need to file the claim, which can go through negotiations or litigation. No matter the legal path you choose to take or the course the case takes, you need to prove certain elements of the claim, such as:

• Establish A Relationship:
  Your attorney will need to show that you voluntarily established a relationship with the healthcare provider for the specified medical services, that the healthcare provider was licensed, and that their services meet the “standard of care.”
• The Standard Care:
  You will also need to show that the healthcare professional violated or breached the “Standard of care”, the level of care that a trained, careful professional would be expected to exhibit. Attorneys often turn to expert witnesses in the same field to testify to the violation of the standard of care.
• Damages:
  Damages include lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses you might have sustained as a result of the malpractice. Your medical malpractice claim lawyer can include testimonies from medical doctors to estimate your future medical costs and income documentation to verify economic losses.
• Medical Negligence:
  Your entire claim relies on you demonstrating that there was medical negligence. Your evidence must demonstrate that the physician or other professional did not follow standard procedures or was negligent in the patient’s diagnosis or treatment.
  You can achieve this by showing that the provider deviated from the accepted standard of care. Once more, your attorney can rely on an expert witness to demonstrate this element.

It's important to note that medical malpractice claims have a statute of limitations, which means you shouldn’t wait until you’re all better to file the claim, especially if you have a long road to recovery.

Let us help you fight for your medical malpractice claim compensation while you focus on getting better.

Not sure whether your recent medical challenges are a result of medical malpractice? Talking to a medical malpractice lawyer in King County, WA, can help you make sense of the situation and determine if you have a strong case.

At M. R. Hale Law, we understand how difficult this period can be for you. It’s not only financially draining but can be mentally and physically draining, as well. That is why we take a compassionate approach to malpractice claims. We’ll listen to your concerns, conduct a thorough investigation, identify and preserve evidence of negligence, and ensure you get the caring representation you deserve.

Have questions? Call us today at (206) 206-0213 for a free consultation to look over the details of your case and to get started on your claim.