If you or a loved one believes you’ve been a victim of medical negligence in Chicago, our experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyers are here to help. Our personal injury law firm has a proven track record of successfully handling medical malpractice cases and advocating for victims to secure the justice they deserve.
Do I Need a Medical Malpractice Attorney?
A report from Johns Hopkins revealed that diagnostic errors cause serious harm to an estimated 795,000 Americans each year across medical facilities. Stroke misdiagnosis ranks as the #1 diagnostic error.
If you suspect malpractice, our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers can help prove your claim by:
- Establishing a duty of care. Medical providers must give patients the standard of care expected in their field.
- Proving 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.
- Proving 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.
- Showing that the harm resulted in financial, physical, or emotional damages.
What Can I Expect from a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
A medical malpractice attorney 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 short statute of limitations. Under 735 ILCS §5/13-212(a), you typically have two years to file.
Will I Need to Go to Court for My Malpractice Case?
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), few lawsuits make it to trial. Most malpractice claims are resolved out of court through negotiations with healthcare providers and insurers. If the provider is uninsured, your personal injury lawyer may need to file a lawsuit.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice refers to the negligence or substandard care provided by a healthcare professional that results in harm to a patient. This can include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, and failure to diagnose or treat a condition. Medical malpractice cases can be complex and require extensive knowledge of both medical and legal systems.
What Is NOT Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice isn’t merely an unfavorable treatment outcome. Proving medical malpractice requires evidence that a healthcare provider’s conduct fell below the standard of other healthcare professionals.
Some common mistakes that do not qualify as medical malpractice include:
- Unforeseen complications during a procedure that were beyond the control of the healthcare provider
- Failed treatments or procedures that were within standard practice and did not result in any significant harm to the patient
- A poor outcome from a treatment or procedure that was properly performed and within the standard of care
Can I Recover Malpractice Compensation If I Had a Preexisting Condition?
Yes, you often can. If a doctor or other healthcare provider was negligent and your preexisting condition worsened, you may still be entitled to compensation with an Illinois medical malpractice claim.
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, misdiagnoses, 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
Common injuries that can lead to a successful medical malpractice claim include:
- Brain injury—damage to brain cells
- Paralysis—loss of muscle function
- Infection caused by unsanitary practices or poor surgical techniques
- Organ damage from errors during medical procedures
- Wrongful death—a fatality from preventable medical errors or omissions
- Chronic pain, which may arise from inappropriate medical treatment
- Disfigurement—alteration of appearance through surgical or treatment errors
- Loss of limb when amputation was caused by wrongful medical practices
- Psychological trauma—mental suffering due to medical malpractice incidents
What Compensation Can I Receive for Medical Malpractice?
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 in the case of wrongful death
Other 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 compensation for your malpractice claim depends on your specific situation. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can evaluate your case by looking at factors like the severity of your injury, how it affects your quality of life, and whether you need ongoing medical care.
How Long Will It Take to Receive My Settlement Check?
It can take several months to a year or more to receive a settlement check from Illinois medical malpractice cases. The time frame depends on the complexity of your case, whether it goes to trial, and how quickly the involved parties are able to reach a settlement agreement.
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 can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Free Malpractice Case Evaluations
Our medical malpractice law firm offers a free consultation to discuss the injuries you or a loved one has experienced and determine possible compensation. During the consultation, we may discuss:
- How long your case will take
- The estimated value of your injuries
- What legal deadlines must be met
- What possible challenges we will face
Our payment structure is simple. We work on a contingency fee basis; we only collect fees if we successfully settle your case.
(312) 223-1700