Buffalo Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Healthcare in America is an overly complicated affair. Routine procedures can be incredibly expensive, causing many residents to avoid the doctor for fear of being unable to afford their healthcare.
Going to the doctor is already stressful enough financially, but what happens when the people who are supposed to take care of you instead take shortcuts?
If you or a loved one have suffered due to medical malpractice in New York, there are resources available to you through a Buffalo medical malpractice lawyer. Don’t wait to seek justice. Brown Chiari LLP is here to help.
What Constitutes Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is a form of negligence committed by doctors, nurses, hospitals, nursing homes, or other care facilities with the responsibility to keep patients healthy. When a healthcare professional fails to adhere to the accepted standard of care and the patient suffers as a result, it is medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice can come in many forms, but can be broken down into categories:
- Birth Injuries – If birth complications aren’t addressed promptly and correctly, they can cause serious consequences. These injuries can leave lifelong injuries and disorders for both the parent and child.
- Prescription Errors – Overdosing, underdosing, providing or administering incorrect medication, failing to consider drug interactions, and failing to consider medical history or allergies can all lead to serious injury or even death.
- Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose – Failure to diagnose can be a result of not taking a patient seriously, or not urging a patient to seek a second opinion. Doctors may misinterpret test results, rush through appointments, or ignore symptoms, such as signs of a concussion after a head injury.
- Surgical Errors – These errors include doctors injuring nerves during surgery, incising the wrong place, leaving equipment inside of a patient, or even operating on the wrong body part entirely.
- Failure to Inform – Failure to inform a patient properly of their health condition, the side effects of medications, or the potential consequences of a procedure can cause the patient to make decisions differently than they would if they had all the information.
Who’s Liable for My Buffalo Medical Malpractice Claim?
When the actions of your doctor injure you, it may make sense to sue your doctor. They’re the ones who caused your injuries, after all. However, Buffalo medical malpractice claims aren’t always so simple.
Doctors often work under larger doctor groups or hospitals. This support network can help cover the doctor when they’re sued for medical malpractice, but it can also make it more difficult to determine your next steps when suing. Like other employers, they’re responsible for the actions of any doctors working for them.
Often, if you have grounds for a lawsuit due to a doctor’s negligence, you may be suing their group or hospital instead. Talk to your lawyer about liability and how to hold the at-fault party accountable for their carelessness.
Time Limits for Buffalo Medical Malpractice Claims
In New York, the statute of limitations, or the amount of time you have to file a case, is two years and six months following the incident. If an individual was a minor when the incident occurred, the two years and six months are counted after they turn 18 years old.
This time limit may change if you couldn’t know about your injury. For example, you may not discover your doctor improperly diagnosed you years later. In these cases, your time limits may not begin until after your injury is discovered. Talk to your lawyer about acting on time and ensuring you get your due compensation.
New York’s Medical Malpractice Laws
A case may be brought against any licensed healthcare professional who has failed in their duty, including medical doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and psychologists. New York does not place a limit on financial compensation that can be awarded in malpractice cases.
To win your case, you must prove the healthcare provider responsible. You will need to have evidence that the provider failed to act prudently and give an acceptable level of care, and that this failure was a proximate cause of your suffering.
Reach Out to a Reliable Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Buffalo
If you or a loved one have suffered due to medical malpractice in Buffalo, you don’t have to accept the consequences. If you choose to bring a suit against the person or entity who caused your injuries, you may receive financial compensation. But getting compensated isn’t easy without a Buffalo medical malpractice lawyer. Ready to get the help you need? Don’t wait to get justice. Reach out for a free consultation with our attorneys to learn more about your options for a lawsuit. Call Brown Chiari LLP today at 716-681-7190 or fill out the following online contact form.
