Medical Malpractice

Nelson & Hammons has handled hundreds of medical malpractice and nursing home negligence cases annually for over 30 years. Using this experience, we have developed a system for thoroughly and effectively handling these unique types of cases.

Louisiana medical malpractice laws contain many “traps” that make it critically important for patients and families who believe they are victims of medical malpractice and nursing home negligence to obtain lawyers who have the training and experience to handle these complicated cases.

Many diseases and medical problems require early detection and treatment to prevent further injury or illness. When you have symptoms or signs of a medical problem, it is in your best interest to see a doctor to get a diagnosis of your symptoms so you can get treatment.

Needing to have surgery can be frightening, but the hope of a positive outcome to correct a medical condition is often worth the ordeal. Surgeons can perform amazing feats, through surgery, that can be beneficial, but they can also make mistakes.

The delivery of a child should be one of the happiest moments in your life. Even with the pain and discomfort of childbirth, it is still a miraculous event that most women cherish. Unfortunately, for some women this moment is tarnished, when they find that an injury that could have been prevented occurred during delivery.

Nursing negligence can occur in a variety of settings, including hospital stays, nursing homes, and in-home care. Negligence is present when a nurse does not perform his duties at the expected level of competence for his position. This can be considered the responsibility of the nurse, the overseeing physician, or the facility he works for, depending on the circumstances.

When hospital negligence occurs, you and your loved ones may be entitled to be compensated for the injuries that were caused. At Nelson & Hammons, we will help you investigate and pursue your potential claim when hospital negligence happens to you or someone you love.

When you have a serious medical issue, you rely on medical professionals to diagnose and give you the appropriate treatment. However, when either a poor diagnosis or incorrect treatment occurs that causes you injury, you may be a victim of medical negligence. At Nelson & Hammons, we have spent decades fighting for the rights of our patients who have suffered due to medical malpractice, including treatment errors.

Treatment plans should be a decision that doctor and patient make together, discussing the success rates and possible risks, to choose the best treatment for the patient. This is also referred to as informed consent in the medical and legal fields. When this important discussion does not occur, and the patient is not aware of all the facts regarding a proposed treatment, he might consent to a treatment that has higher risks than he realized. This is a lack of informed consent, and it can be medical malpractice.

Understanding Medical Malpractice in Louisiana

Unfortunately, the cards are stacked against victims of medical malpractice and nursing home negligence in our state. Doctors, hospitals, nurses, nursing homes, and other healthcare providers are given an extraordinary level of protection in Louisiana. For example:

  • There is a cap on damages of $500,000 plus medical bills and possibly future medical bills on medical malpractice and nursing home negligence cases in Louisiana.
  • Before a lawsuit can be filed in court, the case must be presented to a Medical Review Panel made up of three physicians who review the case and render an opinion.
  • Medical malpractice cases must be brought within one year of (1) the date of malpractice or (2) the date the patient or his/her family “discovered” the malpractice, and in no event more than three years after the date of malpractice.

Nelson & Hammons is committed to helping patients and families who are victims of medical malpractice and nursing home negligence to overcome these obstacles.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Nelson & Hammons recognizes that you have many choices when selecting an attorney. We are committed to representing all of our clients to the best of our abilities and strive to treat each of our clients the way we would want to be treated if we were in their shoes. It would be our honor to represent you. If we can be of service, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by either calling us at (318) 277-2401, toll free at 1-800-619-6444, or by scheduling a consultation online today.