Doctors are expected to help and serve their patients to the best of their ability. We place trust in our physicians to heal us when we are sick or injured because their medical knowledge and ability surpasses our own. This is an important relationship that typically works to the benefit of both doctor and patient. Mistakes do happen however, and they can have devastating results on your health or financial well-being. Sometimes these mistakes are a result of an accident, although the health professional did everything in their power they would be expected to do. When these mistakes are the result of negligent or malicious behavior, however, you may be the victim of medical malpractice.
You have a right to expect proper medical care whenever you visit a health professional. Medical malpractice is a serious offense that breaches doctor-patient trust, and those responsible must be held accountable. If you or a loved one has suffered from medical malpractice, you can fight back against this injustice.
Conveniently located in Kankakee, Danville and Champaign, the Central lllinois medical malpractice lawyers at Spiros Law, P.C. are available to help. Our legal team will help you better understand your rights and build your case against a medical professional who caused you harm.
Medical Malpractice Resources: How To File a Claim on Behalf of a Loved One
Medical malpractice is defined as harm to a patient by a doctor, who does not competently perform their medical duties. In order to prove that an injury was caused by malpractice, the claim must demonstrate that the doctor’s care violated standard medical procedure, was caused by negligence, and resulted in significant damages to the patient. These damages may include physical pain, mental anguish, additional medical expenses, or lost work and earning capacity.
Although medical malpractice is most commonly discussed in conjunction with doctor care, you may file a claim against any medical professional, including but not limited to nurses, technicians, and hospital staff.
When medical malpractice causes catastrophic injury, the Illinois medical malpractice attorneys at Spiros Law, P.C. are prepared to help you through any of the malpractice scenarios you may face, such as:
- Wrongful Diagnosis/Failure to Diagnose a Condition
- Wrongful Death
- Improper Treatment
- Surgical Errors
- Emergency Room Errors
- Birth Injuries
- Delay in Treatment
- Hospital Negligence
Medical malpractice is a frightening and often devastating occurrence, and you should not have to fight back alone. If you have questions regarding medical malpractice, the lawyers at Spiros Law, P.C. will help you determine if you have a case and can provide you with important next steps to take.
What To Do After Medical Malpractice in Illinois
Medical malpractice is an unfortunately common occurrence in the United states, with close to 640,000 claims in the past 10 years. If you are faced with medical malpractice, it is important to know the steps to take before filing a claim so that you have the necessary information for a lawsuit. Some of the most important steps include:
- Contacting the medical professional involved: this allows you to understand what went wrong during the medical procedure and determine if these effects can be remedied.
- Contacting the relevant medical licensing board: this board may be able to issue warnings or discipline to the medical professional involved, and they can guide you on the next steps to take.
- Learning how long you have to file a claim: all medical malpractices cases have a time limit in which they must be filed. This time frame is determined by your state and is available to you online.
- Getting a medical assessment to confirm your case has merit: another medical professional is able to review your injuries and provide a certificate of merit. This is an essential piece of your claim, which indicates that your injuries are the result of negligence.
- Finding an experienced attorney: filing a medical malpractice case is often a long and complex process. It is important to have an attorney on your side to help you build your case and ensure you follow the proper steps. This will help you raise your chances of compensation.
Each of these steps are essential to building a medical malpractice case, and without them, you lower your chances of getting your case to court. Once you have completed these steps, it is time to reach out to a legal professional to give you the guidance and support you need throughout this process.
Why Choose Spiros?
At Spiros Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys have secured substantial settlements for clients harmed by others’ negligence.
- $9,842,900: The second-largest verdict in the history of Vermilion County for an innocent baby who suffered immense harm and required an emergency craniotomy.
- $1,450,000: The largest verdict in Ford County for a driver injured when a car ran a stop sign.
- $1,400,000: The largest settlement for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) in Champaign County, Illinois, after a 42-year-old woman was given the wrong medication at a hospital, leading to vein necrosis, chronic pain, and nerve damage.
These examples are only a glimpse into what we can do for our clients. We have vast experience dealing with a wide range of personal injury cases. We can help with any of the following cases:
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Auto Wrecks
- Burn Injuries
- Paralysis Injuries
- Worker’s Comp Claims
- Wrongful Death Lawsuit
- Sexual Assault
- Mass Tort
- Federal Tort Claims
- View All Practice Areas
At Spiros Law Firm, P.C., our team dedicates itself to clear, honest communication with our current and future clients. From the initial consultation, we are upfront about potential outcomes and understand that our clients have already suffered great pain and loss. We’re committed to being compassionate and transparent with every person who needs our help or advice.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Illinois
In 2015 alone, approximately $4 billion dollars were paid to the victims of medical malpractice. This money can help remedy the physical and financial costs of a negligent medical error. In order to receive compensation, however, you must fight back against this injustice.
A skilled Illinois medical malpractice lawyer at Spiros Law, P.C. is experienced in malpractice law and is prepared to work with you to help you recover from this hardship. To discuss the specifics of your case, contact us in Champaign, Danville and Kankakee, Illinois today.
Medical Malpractice FAQs
What is informed consent in medical treatment?
Informed consent requires your doctor to provide all necessary information about treatment, including benefits, risks, and alternatives, and for you to voluntarily agree. Failure to do so can be medical negligence.
Are there exceptions to the informed consent rule?
Yes. Routine procedures (like yearly physicals imply consent) and emergency situations where immediate care is needed or the patient cannot consent are exceptions.
What must I prove to win a medical malpractice case?
You must prove a doctor-patient relationship existed, the doctor was negligent (care fell below expected standards), the negligence caused your injury, and you suffered significant damages (physical pain, financial loss, etc.).
What is considered negligence by a doctor?
Negligence can include failing to diagnose, improperly treating a condition, or not warning you of known risks or complications.
What kind of damages can I claim in a medical malpractice case?
You can claim damages for physical pain, mental anguish, additional medical bills, and lost working or earning capacity.
When is the deadline to file a medical malpractice claim in Illinois?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally two years from the date the negligent act occurred.
What happens if I miss the filing deadline for a medical malpractice claim in Illinois?
If you file after the two-year statute of limitations in Illinois, the court will likely dismiss your case, regardless of its merits.
Why is it important to understand the filing deadline for a medical malpractice claim?
Understanding the statute of limitations is crucial to avoid automatic dismissal of a valid medical malpractice case.
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