Washington, D.C. Medical Malpractice Lawyers

FAILURE TO TREAT

Failure to treat occurs when a doctor provides the correct diagnosis to a patient but fails to adequately provide treatment. Understaffed hospitals tend to exacerbate the issue. Doctors are required to treat a large volume of patients in a short amount of time, which means that they may miss certain details in a patient’s treatment plan. Doctors who fail to treat are not abiding by the basic standard of care that is owed to patients. They can be held liable for this negligence.

SURGICAL ERRORS

Many types of errors can take place in an instant during surgical procedures. Common errors include performing the wrong procedure, performing a surgery that was not necessary, damaging organs during surgery, administering the wrong amount of anesthesia, using non-sterile surgical instruments, or leaving medical equipment inside the patient after surgery. Surgical errors can have a huge impact on the life of the victim and can lead to deadly results if an infection occurs.

BIRTH INJURIES

These are among the most devastating injuries that take place due to negligence or reckless actions that cause injuries to newborns. Expectant parents look forward to meeting their baby and are not prepared for errors or negligence during the prenatal or birth process. As a result, negligent doctors or healthcare providers may be held liable when a serious injury or even death takes place due to inadequate care.

How Long Do I Have To File A Medical Malpractice Claim?

A medical malpractice claim in Washington, DC, generally needs to be filed within three years of the injury date. Exceptions might exist, though. To ensure timely submission, speak with a medical malpractice attorney near you at Fay Law Group, P.A. -- we can provide you with precise guidance.

Proving Medical Malpractice Claims in Maryland

As with any other type of personal injury claim,  a medical malpractice claim requires you to prove that another party was at fault for the injuries you suffered. This means proving they acted negligently or recklessly. Medical malpractice claims are typically complex and will require medical knowledge to prove such negligence. 

The following are conditions that will need to be established to be successful in your claim: 

• Relationship with a Doctor: It must be established that you were an existing patient of the medical professional who caused you harm. To prove that this relationship of care existed, you must be able to show that the doctor provided you with medical treatment or a diagnosis and had an obligation to treat you. 
• Negligent Care: All doctors must abide by the medical standards in their field of practice. To bring charges of negligent care, it must be proven that your doctor failed to meet those standards that a competent and reasonable healthcare professional with the same type of background would have provided under the same circumstances. If it can be proven that your doctor fell below that standard of care, you may have a medical malpractice claim. Expert witnesses may be called in to show the expected level of duty of care and how it was not met when you were being treated. 
• Injury Occurred: It must not only be proven that your doctor was negligent, but you must also be able to prove that, because of this negligence, an injury occurred. Perhaps your condition became worse when the doctor failed to diagnose you correctly. In this case, you will need the help of an expert witness to show that a competent doctor in the same situation would have run similar tests to come to the same diagnosis and ensure that you received treatment in an appropriate amount of time. 
• Proven Damages: You must also be able to show that you incurred certain damages as a result of the alleged malpractice. Damages may include lost wages from missing time at work due to the recovery from your illness or disorder. It could also include all the medical bills resulting from the harm that your doctor caused outside of the normal standard of care. Pain and suffering and emotional distress may also be recoverable when caused by a practitioner’s harm. 

Who Is Responsible for Your Claim?

If you can prove each of the above conditions, you may be eligible for a medical malpractice claim. This claim will seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries or the loss of a loved one. Our skilled medical malpractice attorneys in Washington, D.C. have helped many clients obtain rightful compensation and are willing to stand by your side through every step of the complex process. No matter what type of negligence a healthcare professional has performed, you have rights. 

• Healthcare Professional: Medical professionals, anesthesiologists, nurses, and physicians may be negligent in the treatment of your condition. If you can prove that the professional’s negligence is directly related to the harm that you have received, you may file a successful claim. Your claim will need to identify the medical professional as either a contractor or employee of the hospital or doctor’s office. 
• Hospital: Hospitals can be directly held liable for the harm that they or one of their professionals causes to another party. For example, a hospital could be held liable when they fail to properly confirm the credentials of a medical professional and, as a result, they hire someone not properly trained for the position. They may also be held liable for harm under the theory of “vicarious liability.” This means that If a medical professional employed by the hospital worked within the scope of employment when the harm took place, the hospital could be liable as well as the professional. In situations where doctors are considered to be independent contractors, only the doctors are responsible for the damages sustained. 
• Pharmaceutical Company: It may be possible to hold a pharmaceutical manufacturer liable for the harm you sustain from the use of its drugs. If you are injured by a drug through side effects that the manufacturer failed to warn about, the manufacturer may be held directly liable. If a physician was provided with side effects knowledge but failed to tell patients, he or she may also be liable for any harm sustained by a patient. 

Understanding Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Washington, D.C.

Losing a loved one due to medical negligence is a devastating experience, and navigating the complexities of a wrongful death lawsuit can be overwhelming. In Washington, D.C., families facing such tragic circumstances can find solace in knowing that local resources and legal support are available to help them seek justice and compensation.

The District of Columbia government provides various resources for residents, including the Office of the Attorney General and the DC Health department, which oversee healthcare regulations and patient rights. While these entities do not directly handle wrongful death claims, they play a crucial role in maintaining healthcare standards and can be valuable sources of information for affected families.

In Washington, D.C., the pain points for families dealing with wrongful death due to medical malpractice often include navigating the legal system, understanding their rights, and dealing with the emotional and financial aftermath of their loss. The experienced attorneys at Fay Law Group are deeply familiar with these challenges and are committed to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to help families through this difficult time.

Our team understands the unique aspects of Washington, D.C., including the local healthcare landscape and the specific legal requirements for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in the district. We are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the support and guidance they need to hold negligent medical practitioners accountable and secure the compensation they deserve.

If you are a resident of Washington, D.C., and have lost a loved one due to medical negligence, contact Fay Law Group today. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of a wrongful death lawsuit and provide the support you need during this challenging time.