Stafford County Medical Malpractice Attorney
Nearly 100,000 Americans die each year as the result of medical errors. Multiple thousands more suffer serious, debilitating, and even permanent injuries due to such mistakes. In a medical profession that is obligated first and foremost to “do no harm,” these preventable errors which produce fatal injuries, life-long disabilities, and unnecessary suffering are unacceptable. If you suffered injury or worsened health at the hands of a medical professional, you may be entitled to financial compensation. With skilled legal representation, you may obtain recompense from those whose incompetent and unprofessional care resulted in harm to you as the patient. If you are looking for representation for a medical malpractice case in Stafford County, please do not hesitate to contact a Stafford County medical malpractice lawyer with Price Benowitz LLP for a free initial consultation of your case.
Medical Malpractice in Stafford
There are many types of errors which can occur throughout medical treatment and care. Missteps and miscommunications may happen at all stages of health care, from initial diagnosis to treatment to surgery to postoperative care to maintenance medications. All medical errors are not the result of blatant negligence and therefore, not all errors constitute malpractice.
Medical malpractice law is complicated, and its complexities require the specific skills of a lawyer well-practiced in cases of malpractice and medical negligence. There are many sectors of the medical community in which malpractice can occur, but it takes a thorough case analysis by a professional to determine if compensatory damages may be legitimately pursued through litigation. If a lawyer determines the case is indicative of malpractice, he or she will diligently seek financial compensation for his or client. A Stafford medical malpractice attorney can help clientele who have suffered as a result of:
- Foreign bodies
- Cosmetic or plastic surgery error
- Negligence
- Anesthesia error
- Dialysis error
- Dental error
- Birthing error
- Surgical error
- Misdiagnosis
- Emergency response error
- Wrongful death of a loved one
- Prescription error
If you or a loved one has endured the physical and emotional damage of faulty, grossly unprofessional, or incompetent health care, contact a Stafford medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your right to compensation.
Foreign Bodies
Many surgeons and assisting nursing staff have made it a common practice to count the used tools and medical equipment and supplies prior to closing surgical incisions. This step in the procedure is in place to eliminate foreign bodies from remaining in the patient’s body. Although not fail-proof, it can reduce the risk of such occurrence. Unfortunately, such practice is not standardized.
Various studies have indicated the prevalence of foreign bodies remaining in a patient after surgery; something that the medical profession has deemed a “never event.” Examples of medical supplies found in patients, post-surgery, are:
- Gauze and cotton balls
- Needles
- Clips
- Knife blades
- Surgical sponges
- Safety pins
- Electrosurgical adapters
- And more
Not only can these foreign bodies cause discomfort, the need for additional surgery, and additional anesthesia, but they can cause serious and life-threatening infections. There is a statute of limitations for retained foreign objects, so if you are a victim of such, it is important that you contact a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to discuss your rights.
Anesthesia Errors
An anesthesiologist has enormous pressure, assuming responsibility for what is arguably the most dangerous part of a surgical procedure. The effects of anesthesia are present throughout a medical procedure, beginning in the operating room, spanning the duration of surgery, and on to the recovery room. If equipment, patient history, and patient vitals are not thoroughly monitored, the results can be catastrophic. The one administering anesthesia must take special care to note:
- Equipment defects
- Proper dosing
- Patient’s vital signs
- Proper intubation
Failure to properly administer anesthesia and account for any adverse patient responses can result in serious life-threatening or permanently disabling results including cardiac arrest, stroke, collapsed lungs, brain injury, or ulnar neuropathy. A Stafford medical malpractice attorney will be familiar with the appropriate protocols during such procedures, and will be able to make a determination as to whether or not the standard of care was breached by the medical professional.
Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery Errors
A patient seeking plastic or cosmetic surgery is typically interested in changing a bothersome physical trait. When malpractice occurs in such surgery, the emotional trauma can be as debilitating as the physical complications that arise. Incurring excessive scarring, nerve damage, aesthetic wounding, or other impediments can leave the patient hurt physically and emotionally. It can cause one to lose trust in doctors, feeling betrayed by the one responsible for potentially improving one’s outlook on his or her physical appearance. When this occurs, the victim of plastic surgery malpractice may not know to whom he or she can turn. A Stafford medical malpractice lawyer can be of assistance in such a situation, as such a lawyer will be well-versed in filing claims in the particular jurisdiction and Virginia at large.
Contacting a Stafford County Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If the medical professional in whom you placed your trust failed you by providing negligent or substandard health care, do not hesitate to seek representation. Contact a trusted Stafford County medical malpractice lawyer with Price Benowitz for a free consultation. In meeting with your legal advocate, you can begin to build your case and discuss your right to financial compensation. The medical malpractice attorneys of Price Benowitz LLP also provide legal services in other jurisdictions of Virginia. More information pertaining to medical malpractice representation outside of Stafford can be found here.
