If you or a loved one suspects you have been a victim of medical negligence in Chicago, a skilled Chicago medical malpractice lawyer from The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, can manage your medical malpractice case. Our personal injury law firm has years of experience handling these matters and representing medical malpractice victims.
Do I Need a Medical Malpractice Attorney?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, medical negligence is the third-leading cause of death in the United States.
If you suspect malpractice occurred, Chicago medical malpractice lawyers can help by proving you have a valid medical malpractice claim. To do this they will:
- Establish a duty of care. Medical providers must give patients the standard of care expected in their field.
- Prove your medical provider breached their duty of care. Medical professionals who fail to meet expected standards in diagnosing, treating, or guiding patients violate their duty of care and may be held accountable if this negligence causes harm.
- Prove your condition was the result of negligence. For a malpractice claim to succeed, we must demonstrate that the healthcare provider’s substandard care resulted in your harm.
- Show that the harm resulted in financial, physical, or emotional damages.
What Can I Expect from a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
A medical malpractice attorney in Chicago will handle all aspects of your case. This includes:
- Investigating your claim and gathering medical records and other evidence
- Consulting with medical experts to establish the standard of care and prove negligence
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf for fair compensation
- Representing you in court if necessary
Illinois has a Statute of Limitations for a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
In Illinois, medical malpractice lawsuits have a relatively short statute of limitations. Per 735 ILCS §5/13-212(a), you generally have two years to file your lawsuit.
Will I Need to Go to Court for my Malpractice Case?
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), most malpractice claims are resolved out of court through negotiations with health care providers and the insurance companies. However, if the at-fault healthcare provider did not have insurance, your personal injury lawyer may need to file a lawsuit.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when doctors or other medical professionals make a mistake or don’t follow standard medical practices, resulting in harm to a patient. Medical malpractice claims involve gathering evidence that a healthcare provider’s negligence directly caused an injury. Without evidence of negligence causing harm, by Illinois medical malpractice law, a medical malpractice law case cannot proceed.
What Is NOT Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice isn’t merely an unfavorable outcome of treatment. Proving medical malpractice requires evidence that a healthcare provider’s conduct fell below the standard of other health care professionals.
Not all unfavorable medical outcomes qualify as Illinois medical malpractice cases. For example, an inherited genetic condition, advanced cancers, or patients who ignore medical professionals’ advice may not warrant a malpractice claim against a medical professional.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases in Chicago, IL
Medical Principles and Practice notes that medication errors are the leading cause of medical malpractice in the country. However, each year, thousands of people also fall victim to surgical procedures, errors, misdiagnosis, and lapses in judgment.
Our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys are experienced in many types of claims:
- Misdiagnosis
- Delayed diagnosis
- Failure to diagnose
- Birth injury due to negligence
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia mistakes
- Improper medication or dosage amounts
- Leaving a foreign object inside a patient after surgery
- Failure to monitor the patient’s vital signs
- Medication errors
Common Types of Injuries from Medical Malpractice in Chicago
Some common types of injuries resulting from a successful medical malpractice claim include:
- Brain injury involves damage to brain cells
- Paralysis is loss of muscle function
- Infection are caused by unsanitary practices or poor surgical techniques
- Organ damage from errors during medical procedures
- Wrongful death is a fatality from preventable medical errors or omissions
- Chronic pain may arise from inappropriate medical treatment
- Disfigurement is alteration of appearance through surgical or treatment errors
- Loss of limb when amputation was caused by wrongful medical practices
- Psychological trauma is mental suffering due to medical malpractice incidents
What Damages for Medical Malpractice Might I Receive?
You may be eligible for damages such as:
- Medical bills and other medical expenses, current and future
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earnings potential
- Rehabilitation costs
- Counseling for mental health
- Disfigurement and disability
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished life quality
- Funeral and burial costs
Extra losses due to negligence may warrant additional compensation. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can estimate the value of your case.
What Is My Malpractice Case Worth?
The financial compensation for your malpractice claim depends on your individual circumstances. A skilled medical malpractice lawyer can determine the value of your case considering factors including the severity of your injury, impact on life quality, and the necessity for ongoing medical care.
Can I Recover Malpractice Compensation If I Had a Pre-Existing Condition?
Yes, you often can. If a doctor or other health care provider was negligent and your pre-existing condition worsened, you may still be entitled to some compensation with an Illinois medical malpractice claim.
Contact Our Chicago Medical Malpractice Team
If you suffered from a medical mistake, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our proven medical malpractice attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
Free Malpractice Case Evaluations
Our law firm offers complimentary personal injury consultations to explore the injuries you or a family member suffered and identify potential compensation. Our conversation may cover:
- How long your case will take
- The estimated value of your injuries
- What legal deadlines must be met
- What possible challenges we will face
We also explain our payment structure. Our legal team operates on a contingency fee basis, sparing you the worry of upfront legal fees. Fees are only collected upon successfully settling your case.