Medical malpractice is a specialized area of personal injury law put in place to protect patients who have been injured due to poor medical care.
Medical malpractice attorneys are experts in helping their clients obtain compensation for injuries from doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals that have caused them harm during medical treatment. At Nelson & Hammons, we are honored to help our clients get the compensation they deserve using the many skills we have as experienced medical malpractice attorneys. Here is a quick overview of what we do and how we help victims of medical malpractice.
Legal Expertise, Education, and Training
The basis of becoming a medical malpractice attorney begins with extensive education and training in medical law. Every state is different when it comes to the statutes that regulate medical malpractice, so lawyers in this specialty must know the specifics for the states they work in. Louisiana has very strict and complex laws regulating medical malpractice. Part of what medical malpractice attorneys do is understand the best ways to work within these laws to serve their clients.
Research and Discovery
Even though medical malpractice is one of the top causes of accidental death in America, it is rarely revealed by the medical professional that is responsible. A study released from Purdue University in 2017 estimates as many as 251,000 deaths in the U.S. are caused by medical malpractice each year, yet only 10% of medical errors are believed to be reported. Part of what medical malpractice attorneys do is help uncover medical errors to prove their client’s case.
Part of the job of a medical malpractice attorney and their team is to gather all the medical records and find the evidence they need to prove negligence or harm. This includes having medical experts to consult on various types of medical procedures to determine when and where mistakes have been made. The discovery and research needed for complex cases can be extensive, especially when the medical facilities have been careful to avoid liability for their errors. They also must take depositions from medical experts, the plaintiff, and witnesses to build their case.
Proving Negligence
Research and discovery is just the beginning of a medical malpractice case. For it to benefit the plaintiff, it must be proven there was negligence that caused harm.
Calculating Value
Another aspect of medical malpractice is trying to match a dollar amount with the pain and suffering caused by a medical error. Although there is no price that can be paid to make up for lost quality of life, victims of medical mistakes or negligence deserve compensation. This can include lost wages, both past and future, compensation for suffering and how the injury will impact the person or their family’s future. In Louisiana, the maximum amount of compensation under RS 40.1231.2 is $500,000, plus medical costs and possible future medical costs. It is up to the attorney to determine a fair amount that is within the legal limits to pursue for their clients.
Shreveport and Lafayette Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Our team at Nelson & Hammons has been privileged to work diligently for our clients, who have been victims of medical malpractice, for over three decades. We have offices in Shreveport and Lafayette, serving residents in our area and surrounding communities. If you believe you were injured due to medical malpractice or have lost a loved one from medical error or negligence, contact one of our offices for a free consultation. We will use our extensive education, experience, and resources to fight for the compensation you deserve if you have been harmed by medical malpractice.