Medical Malpractice Lawyers Serving Wellington

Medical malpractice claims are an important way to hold medical professionals and institutions accountable for their mistakes. When a doctor or hospital is negligent in their patient care, the patient may suffer serious physical, emotional, and financial harm.

Medical malpractice claims provide a legal avenue for patients to seek justice and compensation for the harm they have suffered due to medical negligence. In Florida, medical malpractice laws are designed to protect the rights of injured individuals and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their negligence.

By understanding the basics of medical malpractice claims in Florida, you can be empowered to seek justice if you have been the victim of medical negligence. Medical malpractice claims can help you recover the damages you deserve and provide the opportunity to put an end to the negligent practices of medical professionals and institutions.

Overview of Medical Malpractice Laws in Florida

Medical malpractice laws in Florida govern how medical malpractice claims are handled and the damages available to victims of medical negligence. Medical malpractice is a legal term used to describe when a healthcare professional or institution fails to provide a reasonable standard of care and causes injury or harm to a patient.

In Florida, medical malpractice is regulated by the state's medical malpractice act and related case law. Under Florida's medical malpractice laws, physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers must adhere to certain standards of care that the medical community has established.

If these standards are not met, the patient may be able to seek compensation for their losses. A patient who believes they have been the victim of medical malpractice must file a claim with the appropriate court.

For a patient to successfully win a medical malpractice case in Florida, they must prove four elements:

  • A doctor-patient relationship existed.
  • The doctor was negligent.
  • The doctor's negligence caused an injury.
  • The injury resulted in damages.

The state of Florida also has specific statutes of limitations regarding medical malpractice cases. Depending on the type of case, the statute of limitations could be as little as two years from the date of injury. Therefore, potential claimants need to be aware of the deadlines and begin their claims promptly.

What Are the Most Common Examples of Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice can take many forms, from a misdiagnosis to a failure to diagnose or treat a condition. Some of the most common types of medical malpractice in Florida include:

  • Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose: A misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a medical condition, such as cancer or a heart attack, can lead to serious consequences.
  • Surgery Errors: Surgical errors can range from using the wrong surgical technique to leaving medical instruments inside the patient's body to causing an infection at the surgical site.
  • Medication Errors: Prescribing the wrong medication or incorrect dosage can have devastating consequences.
  • Birth Injury: Birth injury is a type of medical malpractice that occurs when medical personnel fails to properly monitor or treat a pregnant woman and her unborn child during labor and delivery.
  • Anesthesia Errors: Anesthesiologists are responsible for properly administering anesthesia and monitoring a patient's vital signs during surgery. If they make an error, it can cause permanent brain damage or even death.
  • Wrongful Death: When someone dies due to a preventable medical mistake, their surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party.
  • Nursing Home Negligence: Nursing home staff are responsible for providing residents with proper medical care and ensuring their safety. If they fail to do so, it could be considered medical malpractice.

If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to discuss your rights and legal options.

How to File a Medical Malpractice Claim in Florida

Filing a medical malpractice claim in Florida is not a simple process. The process involves gathering evidence, filing paperwork, and following procedural rules.

The first step in filing a medical malpractice claim in Florida is to consult with a medical malpractice attorney. An experienced attorney will have the legal knowledge and resources necessary to properly investigate your case and develop a strategy to pursue a claim.

The next step is to gather evidence to support the claim. Evidence may include medical records, depositions, expert testimony, and other documents that prove negligence on the part of the healthcare provider. It is important to keep copies of all documents related to your case, as they may be needed later.

Once you have gathered the necessary evidence, you will need to file a complaint with the court. You must also notify the defendant of your lawsuit by providing them with copies of the complaint and other documents.

After filing a complaint, you may be required to go through a discovery process where both parties exchange information about the case. This can include interrogatories, requests for the production of documents, and depositions.

Finally, if the case does not settle out of court, it will move forward to trial. At trial, both sides present their evidence and argument to a jury or judge, who will decide whether or not the defendant was negligent. If found negligent, the plaintiff may be entitled to compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

How Much Will It Cost to Pursue a Claim?

The cost of pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Florida depends on the case's complexity. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay various fees and costs throughout the process. These fees and costs include hiring a medical expert to review the medical records, filing fees with the court, attorney's fees, court reporter fees, deposition costs, medical records costs, witness expenses, and expert witness fees.

Your attorney will typically require you to pay a retainer fee that covers their services up to a certain point. After the initial retainer has been exhausted, your lawyer may require additional payments from you. In some cases, attorneys may be willing to represent clients on a contingency basis, meaning that you will not have to pay any attorney's fees until you receive a settlement or judgment from the case.

It is important to remember that if you do not win your case, you may still be responsible for paying the costs associated with pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Florida. As such, discussing all potential costs and fees with your attorney before filing a claim is important. Additionally, make sure to get an estimate of how much the overall case is expected to cost before beginning the legal process.

What Factors Can Affect the Success of My Claim?

When it comes to medical malpractice claims in Florida, there are a variety of factors that can affect the success of your claim. These factors can include the skill and experience of the medical professional or doctor, the severity of the injury or illness, the quality of care provided, and the length of time you waited to seek medical attention.

When considering whether to pursue a medical malpractice claim, it's important to understand how the medical professional's conduct or inaction may have caused your injury or illness. For a medical malpractice claim to be successful, you must show that the doctor or other medical professional acted below the accepted standard of care and that this caused your injury or illness.

In addition to showing that the medical professional was negligent, you must also prove that you suffered harm as a result of this negligence. It's not enough to show that the doctor made a mistake; you must also demonstrate how it has affected your health, well-being, or finances.

Finally, the amount of damages you can recover in a medical malpractice claim will depend on the severity of your injuries and the degree to which they have impaired your life. You may be able to recover damages for lost wages, medical expenses, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and more.

For these reasons, it is important to consult an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who can help you assess the strength of your claim and determine the most effective course of action. A knowledgeable lawyer can help ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are entitled and that your legal rights are protected throughout the process.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Success?

When it comes to filing a medical malpractice claim in Florida, it's important to take all the necessary steps to improve your chances of success. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Hire an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney: Your medical malpractice attorney can help you understand the complexities of Florida medical malpractice law and guide you through the entire process, from filing your claim to pursuing a settlement or court award.
  • Gather Evidence: Obtaining sufficient evidence is essential for success in a medical malpractice claim. You will need to gather medical records, witness statements, expert reports, and other relevant documents. Your attorney can help you organize this evidence to create a compelling case.
  • File Your Claim Quickly: You only have two years from the date of injury to file a medical malpractice claim in Florida. Don't wait until the last minute to begin your claim, as this could make it more difficult for you to collect evidence and find an experienced attorney.
  • Follow Your Treatment Plan: It's important that you follow your doctor's orders when it comes to your treatment plan. This will help you recover more quickly and demonstrate that you are taking all necessary steps to address your injury and minimize your damages.

Taking these steps can increase your chances of achieving a successful outcome in your medical malpractice claim in Florida. However, it is still recommended that you speak with an experienced attorney who can provide you with the best legal advice on how to proceed with your claim.

What If I Am Not Happy with the Outcome of My Claim?

If you have gone through the medical malpractice claim process in Florida and are not satisfied with the outcome, you have several options to consider. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to appeal the decision to seek a better resolution.

To appeal the decision, you must file a written notice of appeal in the circuit court within 30 days after the judgment is entered or the order granting or denying a motion for a new trial or judgment notwithstanding the verdict is entered. The notice of appeal must include a statement of facts and issues to be argued, a brief description of the relief sought, and the appellant's address.

If the court denies your motion for a new trial or judgment notwithstanding the verdict, you must also submit a bond to cover costs associated with the appeal. This bond must be submitted before the court hears your appeal.

Once an appeal has been filed, it is important that you fully understand the appeals process and what steps you must take to ensure that your case is properly handled. You should speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney who can explain your rights and guide you on how best to proceed. With their help, you may be able to pursue an effective legal remedy for the wrongs done to you.

Will I Have to Pay My Lawyer Even If I Don't Win?

When it comes to medical malpractice cases, you may be wondering whether or not you will have to pay your lawyer even if you don't win. In general, most lawyers who handle medical malpractice cases will work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won't have to pay your lawyer anything up front, and they will only collect a fee if you win the case. If you win, the fee will typically be a percentage of the money you receive from your settlement.

However, there may be other costs associated with filing a medical malpractice claim, such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, and other expenses. Your lawyer can provide more details about these potential costs so that you can understand what to expect when filing a medical malpractice claim.

It is also important to remember that even if your lawyer wins your case, you may not necessarily receive all of the compensation that you believe is fair. Insurance companies often make lowball offers to save money, and it is up to your lawyer to negotiate a settlement amount that is appropriate for your specific circumstances.

Additionally, it's important to remember that certain states, including Florida, put caps on how much compensation victims of medical malpractice can receive. Depending on the extent of damages suffered by the victim, this amount could be much lower than expected.

Is There A Minimum Cap and A Maximum Cap On The Amount Of Compensation I Can Be Awarded?

When it comes to filing a medical malpractice claim in Florida, one of the most important questions you may have is whether or not there is a minimum and/or maximum cap on the amount of compensation you can be awarded.

The answer to this question is that it depends on the specific case. In general, the maximum compensation you can receive will depend on various factors, such as the severity of the injury, the number of people involved in the incident, and other similar issues.

That being said, Florida does impose a cap on non-economic damages (including pain and suffering) for medical malpractice claims. This cap is $500,000 for the injured party or $1 million if two or more parties are included in the lawsuit. This cap applies to any damage award regardless of how many defendants are named in the case.

Additionally, punitive damages are not limited by any cap in Florida. In conclusion, when pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Florida, you should be aware that there is a maximum cap on the amount of compensation you can be awarded. To ensure that you receive the full amount of compensation you may be entitled to, it is best to seek experienced legal counsel to advise you on your legal rights and options.

Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers Wellington Medical Malpractice Lawyers Are Here for You.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to medical negligence in Florida, then the experienced team of medical malpractice attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers can help. Our experienced attorneys have extensive experience handling these complex cases and have achieved numerous successes in recovering damages for our clients.

At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we understand the stress and confusion of a medical malpractice claim. We strive to provide our clients with an understanding and personalized approach as we guide them through the legal process. We take the time to thoroughly investigate each case and assess any available evidence to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

We also understand that medical malpractice claims can be expensive. That's why we offer our services on a contingency basis, meaning that we will only collect legal fees when our clients recover damages. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality legal representation while minimizing their financial burden.

If you believe that you or a loved one may have been a victim of medical malpractice, do not hesitate to contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers today. Our knowledgeable attorneys are here to answer your questions and will provide you with a free initial consultation. Get in touch with us today at (561) 800-8000, and let us help you seek justice for your medical malpractice claim.

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