Okeechobee Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Have you or someone you love suffered due to a medical provider’s actions? A Okeechobee medical malpractice attorney can assert your rights and help you demand accountability from the doctor, technician, nurse, or hospital. Medical practitioners have the legal obligation to uphold a certain standard of care during their work. If they fail in this obligation, they could be liable to compensate any harm they cause patients.

South Florida residents count on Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney when seeking compensation in medical malpractice cases. The DeBerard office has more than 40 years of experience successfully representing the injured, even against well-resourced medical providers. For this reason, DeBerard has been voted No. 1 among personal injury attorneys in the Treasure Coast area by TCPalm. Get a free consultation with us and find out how we can fight for you. Reach out to us at 1-800-299-8878.

When Medical Negligence Hurts Patients

It can be hard to understand how a healthcare professional could injure you. After all, we go to them to restore our health, not to endure more suffering.

Sadly, many physicians, pharmacists, surgeons, technicians, and hospital managements fail to work with the level of aptitude expected of them, and it often results in tragedy. One study found that medical errors are so prevalent that they’re now the third-leading cause of fatalities in the country, killing more than 250,000 patients each year.

Medical malpractice isn’t always as vivid as the bungled surgeries we see in movies. Quite often it can be an unclear or imperceptible error, such as a missed diagnosis or a wrong prescription. In fact, a different study found that diagnostic errors cause death or injury to 40,000 to 80,000 people in the US each year. Some of the most numerous yet most life-threatening illnesses that doctors have misdiagnosed are cardiac diseases, aneurysms, and cancer.

If you or a close family member has suffered after visiting a clinician or a hospital, it’s important to consult an attorney to determine if you are entitled to a medical malpractice claim. Take advantage of the free consultation we provide at Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney. You’ll get clear, smart legal advice on your next steps towards compensation.

How Malpractice Occurs in the Medical Setting

What makes a case a medical malpractice case? Practitioners and other medical workers are not perfect beings – they still make human mistakes. However, because they have crucial jobs, they are legally obligated to meet a “standard of care,” that is, they must perform as competently as any trained worker would in the same field and in the same circumstances.

Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional fails to satisfy this standard. The following are some common examples:

• Diagnostic errors – delayed diagnosis, wrong diagnosis (where other physicians could diagnose accurately), misreading lab results, not pursuing lab tests
• Prescription errors – recommending the wrong medication or the incorrect dose, or not considering the patient’s reactions to the treatment
• Surgical errors – operating on the wrong body part, leaving a tool inside the person’s body, or operating with unsanitized tools or instruments
• Anesthesia errors – providing incorrect drugs or dosage, or failing to monitor the patient’s vital signs while medicated
• Birth injuries – substandard care during labor or delivery, resulting in preventable injuries such as baby’s birth asphyxia (oxygen deprivation), baby’s brachial palsy (injury to the shoulder nerve), and mother’s hemorrhage
• Pharmacy errors – mixing up the prescription, giving the wrong drugs, dispensing expired medication
• Hospital negligence – substandard sanitation, missing necessary equipment, not hiring enough staff, mishandling patient records.

These examples can cause life-altering, if not fatal, consequences for the patient. On top of the painful injury they endure, they also have to deal with massive additional medical costs, skipped work days, psychological distress, and possibly lifelong disability needs. The effects of medical malpractice can be truly immense for the victim, that’s why they should pursue their deserved compensation with the services of a skilled legal advocate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Claiming Medical Malpractice in Okeechobee County

How much can I receive as medical malpractice compensation?

Medical malpractice victims may receive compensation for both monetary and non-monetary damages. This means you may claim repayment for your medical expenses, lost wages, and disability expenses, and for subjective losses like pain and suffering.

The DeBerard injury firm has gotten medical malpractice compensation as significant as $2.6 million in one case. Do note that settlements and verdicts vary. To see what your particular claim may be worth, let the DeBerard team assess your case for free.

Can I still make a claim if I got medically injured several years ago?

Under Florida’s Statute of Limitations, a person with a medical malpractice claim generally has two years to file a lawsuit, starting from the incident date. There are exceptions to this. For instance, if you found out later that the doctor acted negligently in the medical care you received, the two-year clock starts running on the date you discovered it, not on the date of the act itself. Likewise, the time limit for medical malpractice lawsuits is increased if the victim is no older than eight years of age.

It’s wise to talk to an attorney if you suspect negligence in your case. You can consult with us for free at Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney.

What is the cost of hiring a Okeechobee medical malpractice attorney?

Some estimates may tell you that the average hourly rate of attorneys in Florida is $195 to $400. With the Philip DeBerard firm, you won’t have to worry about these rates because we will not charge lawyer fees till we win compensation for you. Our contingency-based billing system means our fees will depend on how much we obtain on your behalf. You lose nothing by working with us, and you can feel at ease, knowing we’ll strive for the most ideal outcome for you.

Contact Philip DeBerard, Medical Malpractice Attorney in Okeechobee County Today

Combining sharp legal skills with sincere care for Floridians, Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney gained the honor of being voted the Treasure Coast’s #1 Injury Attorney by TCPalm. Our office has been a South Florida mainstay for over 40 years, getting maximum compensation for persons and families harmed by negligent doctors and providers. Find out how we can help you in your probable medical malpractice case. Book a free consultation by contacting 1-800-299-8878 today.