Types of Medical Malpractice Compensation
A lot of states limit the amount of damages that a victim of medical malpractice can get. These caps typically cover specific, measurable losses like medical bills and lost wages.
However medical malpractice cases typically have non-economic consequences, such as suffering and pain. The experienced attorneys at Sobo & Sobo can help you build a strong case for compensation for these damages in the following areas.
Potential loss of earnings
You may be able to claim damages for lost wages if the injury is caused by medical negligence and affects your ability to earn income. But proving these losses can be a challenge. You must demonstrate that the doctor’s negligence was a direct cause of the injuries you sustained, not being merely related to them. This can be a challenge, especially when it involves an existing condition that the medical professional did not recognize or misdiagnose.
In the event of medical malpractice, you could be entitled to non-economic damages in addition to economic damages. Non-economic damages are determined by the impact of the injuries on your health or Vimeo.Com your life. Your lawyer will employ expert testimony as well as charts and graphs to illustrate the effects of negligence.
In certain cases medical negligence can be so grave that you could be legally able to claim punitive damages. These are intended to penalize the healthcare provider for his or her outrageous actions. This type of damages award is not typical, but it can be awarded when the healthcare provider is guilty of malice or irresponsibility.
Medical malpractice cases are costly to pursue. There are court filing fees, clive medical malpractice attorney records, and other documentation costs that add up quickly. Your lawyer must employ experts to analyze your case to determine if medical professionals have violated their duty of care to you.
Permanent Disability
Medical malpractice cases are typically complex, with many types of damages that are available. Compensation can cover expenses such as future medical procedures, ongoing treatment and treatment or wages lost when an injury has caused the person to be off work. It also covers non-economic costs like discomfort and pain.
Non-economic damages can be difficult to quantify, but can include any reduction in the quality of life. They may also include suffering and pain, emotional and psychological stress. The claimant’s attorney will use testimony from friends and family members to help a jury to understand the impact of the accident on the victim’s life.
A reputable NYC medical negligence lawyer will take the time to review all the evidence to determine the value of the claim. This includes a review of the medical malpractice statute of limitations, which sets a time limit on the length of time that after an accident plaintiff can make a claim.
The value of a medical malpractice claim will be determined by the severity of the incident, with higher settlement amounts tending to be reserved for more severe injuries. A doctor could have missed the diagnosis of cancer in a patient, which can be fatal. The most serious injuries are also more likely to cause an indefinite disability, which will increase the cost of an insurance claim.
Suffering and Pain
Medical malpractice victims can also seek compensation for the physical pain they have suffered as a result of a doctor’s negligence. Physical pain could be based on an injury to the body, for instance broken bones. This can include loss of of motion; scarring; the inability to exercise or sleep or sleep; loss of sexual function as well as other injuries that affect the quality of life of the victim.
The compensation for medical malpractice could include compensation for suffering and psychological pain. Psychological injuries like anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) are often debilitating and cause physical pain. In addition, the loss of mental health can also impact a victim’s ability to work or maintain healthy relationships and affect their overall quality of life.
Damages are usually divided into two categories one being economic or «special» damages that are based on tangible financial losses and general «non-economic» damages like suffering and pain. Non-economic damages are difficult to quantify in dollars, so it is difficult to determine the proper amount.
There are different methods for calculating the value of an award for pain and loss including a multiplier technique that adds the damages for special damages and multiplies the result by a certain amount, ranging from 1.5 to 5. There are some states that have limits on this kind of award, but judges in the majority of cases are not able to overturn the verdict of the jury.
Loss of Future Earnings
Medical malpractice victims are entitled to a variety of damages including future earnings loss. This is the amount a victim could have earned if capable of working at their previous job, or if a job was available that would have been suitable for their condition. This is a complex type of damage that often requires the help of an expert economist to determine.
Calculating lost earnings is easy if the victim earned an hourly wage. A lawyer can multiply the hourly rate of an individual by the number of hours they did not work to calculate their total lost wage. A person who worked employed on a salary must consider the length of time they were unable to work as well as their pay and benefits.
Calculating lost income is relatively easy, but future losses may be more complicated. A lawyer must consider the cost of any future treatment in addition to any costs that are reasonably anticipated according to the victim’s present condition.
It is crucial to have an experienced lawyer on your side when you are seeking compensation for medical negligence. At Weltchek Mallahan & Weltchek, our team of lawyers can help you determine the best approach to pursue your financial recovery. Contact us today for an appointment for a no-cost consultation. Medical errors can be a grave issue that could cause serious damage. Our legal team is prepared to look closely at your case and fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve.