A Victim of Medical Malpractice? Hire Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Oklahoma
Medical malpractice is serious business. It can result in irreparable damage, serious injury, worsening illness, or even death. Medical professionals are governed by a set of laws and guidelines that prevent such negligence from happening. Each year, as many as 120,000 Americans die due to medical malpractice. Thirty-one percent of medical malpractice cases resulted from misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a disease. Until 2016, defendants in medical malpractice suits paid up to $17.4 million when the verdict led to a plaintiff verdict or judgment as a matter of law. Malpractice 101 Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional deviates from the acceptable standards or levels of care. It does not only cover doctors, but also nurses, therapists, and medical technicians. Commonly misdiagnosed illnesses are cancer, heart attack (particularly in an emergency room setting), stroke, and blood clots. Surgeons and OB/GYNs were among those who frequently received lawsuits in 2017 for malpractice. Mishandling of record and data is also a frequent cause of medical malpractice suits. In research done by John Hopkins, one out of 71 total cases and one out of 5 cancer cases is misdiagnosed. At times, the medical facilities are to blame. Poor maintenance or malfunctioning equipment may result in a serious injury or worse. In such cases, the primary healthcare facility is held accountable. Of all reported cases of medical malpractice, 31% ended in death. Eighteen percent ended in serious permanent injury while 17% ended in major permanent injury. Importance of Medical Malpractice Lawyers It is important that you secure legal representation that is capable of defending you in a malpractice suit. In 2016, reports claimed that most malpractice suits ended in favor of the defendant healthcare professional. While the number of malpractice suits are decreasing (48.5% as of 2016), the number of payouts are also decreasing. Oklahoma belongs to the majority of states that claim less than $40 million in suits or about $10.07 per capita. It is important to acquire the services of lawyers handling medical malpractice in such a situation. Lawyers experienced in medical malpractice suits can prove malpractice on the following grounds: The defendant failed to provide the required duty of care. This failure directly caused the patient’s injury. The patient has damages in the form of medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering due to this injury. By hiring a medical malpractice lawyer, the patients affected can file for damages like past and current hospital bills, past and present medical costs, rehabilitation costs, home healthcare, and other items such as oxygen tanks and mobility devices. Should you or a loved one encounter deviance from any of these rules, you need legal representation. Medical malpractice lawyers in Oklahoma like Little Oliver Gallagher PLLC can help you. For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.
Personal Injury Cases: Know The Differences
When a client is injured, one of the first steps is to determine the type of le All Posts gal case they can file, which will, in turn, to determine liability. Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Oklahoma can greatly help in assessing liability and responsibility, and in securing proper compensation for the accident. Vehicular Accidents Accidents involving cars are the most common cases in the United States. Currently, Oklahoma imposes an “at-fault” law, which means that courts will determine who the careless driver is in a particular case, and then the errant motorists are held responsible for any injuries and financial damages. Cases that involve motorcycles, on the other hand, are trickier because motorcycles offer no protection from other drivers — additionally, there is a common perception of motorcycle drivers as being “more reckless.” However, Oklahoma laws dictate that a motorcycle rider has the same rights as an automobile driver if they are injured by an aggressive driver. A skilled lawyer can navigate motorcycle accident laws and help motorcycle riders get the justice and fair compensation due them. Slip and Fall Cases One of the leading causes of death for people above the age of 70, slip and fall cases involve accidents on residential properties that cause personal injury and damages. Whether it’s uneven flooring or leaks that causes a surface to become slippery, these cases often lead to serious injury or even death. Within a residential property, the resident or property owner will be held accountable for keeping their property relatively and reasonably safe. With this in mind, however, liability can still be dependent on the exact nature of the accident, as well as on the existing laws of the state in which the accident occurred. Medical Accidents Often, medical malpractice cases stem from a healthcare provider’s failure to provide competent medical care. This can involve negligence during an operation, or failure to diagnose a condition, and even the prescription of the wrong medication. Other damages sustained during medical treatment can also fall under a malpractice case. However, the patient must first fulfill certain legal requirements for the court to consider the case as medical malpractice. First, patients have to prove that they have a working relationship with the physician. Secondly, they must show that the physician was being negligent. Third, patients must show that the negligence of the physician caused injury. Finally, patients must show that the injury they sustained caused damages. Because of the complexities of medical malpractice laws in Oklahoma, legal and medical experts are required for a successful litigation. Work-related Accidents Injuries and damages sustained in a person’s place of employment qualify as work-related accidents. While most cases usually involve immediate injury or damage incurred in the workplace, certain conditions that develop over time, like a debilitating disease or psychological condition, can also be included. Workplace and work-related accidents are often due to negligence on the part of the employer, although judgment is always reserved until the exact details of the case are analyzed by lawyers. Our lawyers at Little, Oliver & Gallagher are experts in all these cases and can help clients get the compensation they deserve. For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.
