Chester, PA, Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Chester, PA, health care providers work hard to help patients deal with their illnesses and injuries. They do great work for society, but they are not perfect. In fact, health care providers are sometimes responsible for causing serious injury and death due to medical malpractice. Fortunately, the majority of medical professionals do not harm patients. For those who do, Chester, PA, medical malpractice lawyers are there to hold them accountable.

Why Choose Us?

Trusted and Effective

Our team has years of experience helping individuals from all walks of life to pursue claims against some of the most powerful hospitals and health care providers in the area. A medical malpractice case is often more complicated than a personal injury case, which means you need a Chester, PA, medical malpractice attorney with specific experience in this area to protect your rights. We have a track record that shows we know how to get results for our clients in cases like your own.

Choose Wapner Newman for:

• Award-winning Chester, PA, medical malpractice lawyers
• Free consultations
• No-cost representation unless we win
• A team with an extensive track record of wins.

We never settle for less, because our clients deserve better than lowball insurance company offers. If a medical professional has injured you or someone you love, let Wapner Newman lead the way toward the money you are owed.

Understanding Medical Malpractice in Pennsylvania

Medical malpractice in Pennsylvania occurs when a licensed health care professional fails to perform their duties according to accepted standards of medical care, and a patient is injured as a result. Although most medical care and treatment in Pennsylvania does not involve medical malpractice, the number of cases makes malpractice a concern for all who receive medical care.

Patients who become victims of medical malpractice face significant pain and suffering and mountains of medical bills and expenses. Fortunately, legal recourse allows victims to seek compensation for:

• Bills and expenses from medical and hospital care
• Loss of income and employment opportunities
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.

When a patient’s malpractice injuries are the result of gross or extreme negligence or reckless indifference to the rights of the patient, the patient may also pursue punitive damages.

Diagnosis and Malpractice

Diagnosis errors are a leading type of medical malpractice. They often take the following forms:

• Misdiagnosis: Diagnosing the wrong condition
• Missed Diagnosis: Missing a diagnosis that should have been made
• Delayed Diagnosis: Making a diagnosis when it should have been diagnosed sooner.

When it comes to diagnosis and malpractice, patients should be aware that not all diagnosis errors are malpractice. Malpractice comes into play when a doctor should not have made the error. In other words, diagnosis malpractice describes errors no reasonable licensed professional would have made.

Failure To Properly Treat

Failure to properly treat refers to any situation in which a licensed medical professional fails to properly treat a condition or injury. For example, a burn injury victim might receive less than adequate treatment and experience severe consequences. Failure to treat might also involve a failure to treat in a timely manner. For instance, a failure to treat an emergent heart condition in a timely manner could lead to a heart attack.

Medication Errors

Medical professionals must have extensive knowledge of medications. They must be familiar with hundreds or thousands of them and be aware of their combined effects when used in conjunction. The following medication errors are common and avoidable:

• Medication given or prescribed at the wrong dosage
• Prescribing or administering the wrong medication
• Lack of knowledge of the effects of combining medications
• Poor medication records for patients.

Due to the strength and effects of many medications, medication malpractice can lead to severe, adverse results. Sadly, death is not an uncommon consequence.

Birth Injuries

Birth injuries occur just before, during, and just after delivery. Vulnerable babies and mothers are at a high risk of danger from trauma, infections, and various medical conditions during birth. Some of the common injuries sustained by children during birth include:

• Brachial palsy
• Caput succedaneum
• Cephalohematoma
• Facial paralysis
• Fractures
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage
• Injuries associated with lack of oxygen.

Mothers are also in danger of various conditions, including dangerous blood clots and pulmonary embolisms.

Who’s Responsible?

Pennsylvania allows patients who experience medical malpractice to hold licensed professionals responsible for their roles in the malpractice. Licensed medical professionals in Pennsylvania include:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Anesthesiologists
• Midwives and doulas
• Therapists
• Psychiatrists
• Medical technicians.

Certificate of Merit

A certificate of merit must accompany medical malpractice lawsuits. This document must certify that an appropriate licensed medical professional has reviewed the claim and found that malpractice likely took place. This requirement prevents frivolous claims from clogging up the courts and oppressing the medical profession.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medical malpractice is upsetting and complicated, so it’s natural for you to have questions and concerns. The best place to get answers is at your free consultation, but to get you started, here are answers to some questions our Chester, PA, medical malpractice attorneys are often asked.

What is the statute for medical malpractice cases in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has a statute of limitations of two years for medical malpractice lawsuits. The time is measured from the date the malpractice is discovered or should have been discovered. When the patient is a minor, the two-year deadline does not apply until the minor turns 18.

How long do medical malpractice claims take to resolve in Pennsylvania?

The time it takes to settle a medical malpractice claim in Pennsylvania ranges between several months and years. The facts and legal issues involved in a case typically determine how long the case will take. At Wapner Newman, we work hard for prompt payouts but never entertain subpar settlement offers. In other words, it sometimes takes a while to get our clients properly compensated in medical malpractice cases, but not always.

What is the average cost of a Chester, PA, medical malpractice lawyer?

Since Chester, PA, medical malpractice lawyers charge a percentage of your compensation, there is no average cost of a lawyer. Each case is different, so each compensation payout will differ. Generally, medical malpractice lawyers in Chester, PA, charge 33 ⅓% of a settlement and up to 40% of a verdict.

What should I do if I believe medical malpractice has been committed?

If you believe medical malpractice has occurred and you or a loved one has been harmed, contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Chester, PA, immediately. You need valuable compensation to get relief from your many losses. A Chester, PA, medical malpractice attorney will fight to hold the negligent parties accountable for every dime.

The Chester, PA, medical malpractice lawyers at Wapner Newman are ready to attend to your questions and concerns. Please call at your convenience.

Consult With a Chester, PA, Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today

Learn the True Value of Your Claim