What is the Average Settlement for a Medical Malpractice Case?

It is a tragedy when anyone suffers medical malpractice. Not only are they already in pain from whatever brought them to the doctor in the first place, but then a doctor makes the condition worse. At Wapner Newman, we believe this is a tragedy that should never happen. And when it does happen, you deserve to be justly compensated in a medical malpractice settlement. But will that settlement be enough to cover your costs? What is the average settlement for a medical malpractice case?

Do you need a settlement for a medical malpractice case in Philadelphia? Contact Wapner Newman at (215) 569-0900 today.

Average Settlement for a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

You Deserve to Know the Value of Your Case

The value of a medical malpractice settlement depends on several factors. Due to the costs of medical services in Philadelphia, a small settlement could be a few thousand dollars, while a large one could be worth millions. Before determining the value of your settlement, your attorney will consider the impact of these factors.

The Severity of the Injuries You Suffered

The biggest factor in any medical malpractice settlement is the severity of your harm. If your injuries can be treated quickly and the harm can be completely healed, you will get quite a bit less than if you need treatment for the rest of your life and will never fully recover.

The minimum settlement in almost any case is the approximate value of all medical treatment you will require. Any settlement should also include compensation for lost earnings and any expenses incurred due to the injuries.

Your Situation

Those other expenses we discussed are extremely relevant, especially if your situation aggravates any harm you suffered from medical malpractice. For example, if you are a single parent or you are the main breadwinner in your home, the consequences of partial paralysis or being bedridden for a few months is a lot more serious than it might be for others.

The jury in a trial will consider how the injury impacts your lifestyle and determine a value based on that impact. Any settlement must recognize what a jury might award and offer similar compensation.

The Extent of the Negligence

Any act of medical malpractice is due to negligence. But there is a difference between being a little careless and recklessly disregarding the consequences of your actions. The greater the severity of negligence in a case, the more punitive damages you are likely to be awarded at trial.

When negotiating a settlement, your attorney will provide the insurance company with as much evidence of the negligence as possible. The insurance company will typically negotiate a settlement offer that includes punitive damages rather than risk being forced to pay a much higher amount after a jury verdict.

If you have been harmed by medical malpractice in Philadelphia, you need enough compensation to cover all your medical bills, lost wages, and additional expenses. Contact Wapner Newman at (215) 569-0900, and we will fight to get you all this and more.

Why Choose Us?

Attorneys that Care Make a Difference

At Wapner Newman, we believe that our clients deserve to live healthy and happy lives. When a doctor, hospital, or nurse acts negligently, they should pay compensation for the harm they cause with that negligence. Our legal team has decades of experience ensuring that medical professionals pay for their carelessness.

We understand the nature of medical injuries, the impact they have on the lives of our clients, and the average punitive values that juries award for these actions. This helps us negotiate aggressively to get the maximum possible compensation for victims of medical malpractice.

The highest priority at our law firm is helping clients recover as painlessly and with as little stress as possible. We make ourselves available to our clients and are always willing to help out when they are in need. This is what sets us apart as a law firm.

Contact Our Medical Malpractice Law Firm in Philly

Wapner Newman is a leader in medical malpractice law. When you need compensation quickly, we are the law firm you should trust.

Contact our law firm today at (215) 569-0900 to schedule a free consultation with dedicated medical malpractice attorneys.

FAQs about Medical Malpractice

You may have questions like, “How much is the average compensation for a medical malpractice lawsuit?” and “How much is the average medical malpractice settlement?” We try to answer those questions clearly.

How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit?

Pennsylvania law gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.

What can I do if I don’t know about medical malpractice until after those two years have passed?

The clock doesn’t start until you could have reasonably been capable of knowing that you were harmed. There used to be a 7-year time limit, even if you weren’t aware of an injury, but that was overruled in Yanakos vs. UPMC.

How much is the average medical malpractice settlement?

The average settlement for a medical malpractice lawsuit is slightly more than what your lawyer determines is the amount you will need to cover all your expenses and losses. Typically, the insurer will agree to a slight bump to avoid the cost of a trial.

How much is the average compensation for a medical malpractice lawsuit?

If you win at trial, you will typically get more from a lawsuit than you would from a settlement since juries are more likely to grant punitive damages. At a minimum, you should expect a lawsuit to be worth at least as much as, if not more than, the cost the insurance company would have spent on attorneys.

Should I settle or go to court?

Even though you will typically get less money by settling, you will get the money a lot more quickly, and there is no risk of your case being dismissed or losing at trial. The final decision is yours, though.

An informed client is a happy client, and we always seek to make our clients happy.