Medical Malpractice
Patients expect their physicians to provide reliable, quality care in a time of need. They place trust in their physicians and hospitals and believe their medical needs will be handled with skill and expertise. Unfortunately, medical errors happen, and medical providers must be held accountable for their actions. Medical malpractice occurs when careless errors are made or negligent care is performed. Medical malpractice is preventable. When medical malpractice happens, it can cause catastrophic injuries and even result in death.
Malpractice is when a medical professional breaches the standard of care. The standard of care is generally defined as what a reasonably prudent medical professional would have done under the same or similar circumstances. In Illinois medical malpractice claims, plaintiffs carry the burden of proof - or to show the defendant doctor is legally responsible for the inflicted injury. To prove an Illinois medical malpractice claim one must prove:
- Relationship
- Plaintiffs must prove that a physician-patient relationship existed either through medical documentation (records and/or bills).
- Breach of Duty of Care
- Plaintiffs must prove the defendant breached the duty of care owed. Examples would be failing to diagnose or misinterpreting test results.
- Causation
- Plaintiffs must prove a causal relation between the breach and the injuries sustained.
- Damages
- Plaintiffs must prove the breach of duty resulted in damages. Damages can be pain, lost income, medical bills, etc.
Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle
- Misdiagnosis
- Birth Injury
- Anesthesia Errors
- Surgical Errors
- Radiology Errors
- Failure to Diagnose
- Lack of Informed Consent
- Hospital Negligence
What Damages Can I Recover In An Illinois Medical Malpractice Claim?
- Medical Bills
- Pain and Suffering
- Wrongful Death
- Past and Future Wages
- Loss of Normal Life
- Disfigurement