Brooklyn Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Holding Medical Professionals Accountable in New York City
Americans put faith in medical professionals every day. Whether you are being treated for an emergency situation, a regular checkup, a surgery, or giving birth to a child, you expect your medical providers to use the utmost care and caution. Unfortunately, medical accidents do happen, but when one is the result of a doctor or medical provider’s negligence, this is called medical malpractice. If you have been injured because of medical malpractice, Our medical malpractice attorney in Brooklyn can help you file a claim to be compensated for your pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a medical malpractice claim in Brooklyn, NY, our team at Belushin Law Firm, P.C. can assist you. Call and schedule a free consultation.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
The legal definition of medical malpractice is when a doctor does something that amounts to professional negligence. In the medical field, this means that the physician, nurse, or staff member has behaved in a way that falls below the usual standard of care for their profession. Millions of medical accidents happen every year. While not every accident results in injury or death to the victim, many do cause permanent pain and suffering. Our Brooklyn medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to fighting for victims of such incidents.
Understanding what constitutes medical malpractice is crucial for patients and their families. Malpractice can include a wide range of negligent actions, such as misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, prescription mistakes, and birth injuries. Each of these errors can have severe consequences, often transforming the lives of victims forever. It is essential to recognize that malpractice is not limited to doctors alone; nurses, lab technicians, and other healthcare providers can also be held liable if their conduct falls below accepted standards. Knowing the signs of potential malpractice can be the first step in protecting your rights and seeking the justice you deserve.
Common Injuries Due to Medical Malpractice
Permanent injuries from medical malpractice can include:
- Scarring
- Internal injuries
- Birth defects
- Worsening illnesses
- Other painful conditions
These conditions are very serious, and they permanently affect a patient’s life and health. The cost of caring for an individual with serious medical malpractice injuries can be extremely burdensome on a family. There are thousands of different types of physicians that can commit medical malpractice. Obstetricians, pediatricians, surgeons, orthopedic doctors, oncologists, and many other types of doctors, or even members of their staff, can injure their patients.
In addition to doctors, dentists can also commit serious malpractice. If your dentist caused an injury to you by cutting you, breaking a tooth, negligently misdiagnosing a dental issue, and causing other painful dental conditions. Dental negligence is a serious matter because the health and appearance of a person’s teeth can affect them throughout their life.
Long-Term Impacts of Medical Malpractice
Beyond physical injuries, victims of medical malpractice often endure significant emotional and psychological trauma. The trust that patients place in their healthcare providers is immense, and when that trust is broken, the resulting anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress can be a heavy burden. Additionally, the financial impact of lost wages and long-term care costs can further strain the lives of malpractice victims and their families. Understanding the full spectrum of consequences is vital in recognizing the importance of pursuing legal avenues for relief and compensation.
Navigate Medical Malpractice Claims With Experienced Guidance
The effects of medical negligence on patients and their families can be disastrous. If you believe you have been the victim of medical negligence, it is critical that you understand your rights and alternatives when it comes to seeking justice. Our seasoned medical malpractice lawyers at Belushin Law Firm, P.C. are backed by years of experience and can assist you through the legal process and fight for the settlement you deserve.
Key factors of understanding your rights in a medical malpractice claim are:
- Knowing what the accepted standard of care is when it comes to the medical field and evaluating whether the care you experienced fell below it
- Keeping detailed records of the treatment you received and documenting the extent of your injuries and damages, and how it has affected your life
- Knowing the requirements for filing a malpractice claim: statute of limitations, pre-suit notices, and more
- Knowing how to communicate and negotiate with insurance companies and healthcare providers
- Pursuing litigation if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Do not delay obtaining legal counsel. Reach out to Belushin Law Firm, P.C. to schedule a consultation with our skilled medical malpractice attorneys in Brooklyn.
Why Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Brooklyn?
Finding an experienced and qualified malpractice lawyer is crucial in a medical malpractice claim, much more so compared to standard personal injury claims. However, medical malpractice is a relatively rare focus since not many attorneys spend much of their time handling these types of claims.
If you believe that you may have a medical malpractice claim, the following are important reasons why you need a medical malpractice lawyer:
- Medical malpractice claims are often complicated. While personal injury claims often deal with broken bones and soft tissue injuries, medical malpractice claims can involve damage to any part of the body. Furthermore, since doctors’ reputations and practices are on the line, hospitals and insurance agencies have plenty of lawyers to defend their reputation.
- Insurers may not respect an unqualified attorney. In most cases, only an experienced medical malpractice lawyer can convince insurers to pay the maximum amount to settle a claim. Since most victims of medical malpractice settle their claims prior to trial, it is best to have a medical negligence attorney in Brooklyn who understands how to obtain the most reasonable amount possible.
- An experienced medical malpractice lawyer knows qualified medical experts. Medical expert witnesses are necessary in almost every medical malpractice claim to provide an opinion that the defendant was negligent. Without a proper opinion of liability from a qualified medical expert, your malpractice claim will most likely be dismissed.
- Medical malpractice claims are costly. These types of claims are expensive, partly due to medical experts. A malpractice claim can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring to trial. While an experienced malpractice attorney understands the circumstances and is prepared to bear the costs, a less qualified lawyer might be unable or unwilling to pay for these costs upfront, forcing you to settle your claim for an unfavorable amount. Or worse, they may walk away from the claim.
Choosing the right physician malpractice attorney in Brooklyn can profoundly influence the outcome of a malpractice claim. An experienced attorney will not only guide you through the complexities of the legal system but will also offer compassionate support during what is often a stressful and emotional period. They can navigate the intricate medical terminologies, engage with credible medical experts, and stand firm against powerful insurance companies.
Types of Malpractice Claims We Can Help You With
There are many different types of medical malpractice. A deviation from the standard of care can occur in almost any doctor-patient situation. It is important to consult with a malpractice lawyer in Brooklyn as soon as possible to determine whether or not you have a valid injury claim against your doctor or nurse.
Common types of medical malpractice include:
- Surgical errors
- Failures to diagnose illnesses
- Failure to diagnose cancer
- Birth injuries
- Anesthesia errors
- Emergency room errors
- Fraudulent stem cell therapy
- Nursing home negligence
In cases where negligent medical care leads to a patient’s death, families may pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation. At the Belushin Law Firm, our Brooklyn malpractice attorneys work to hold medical professionals accountable and help families recover for their losses.
What Causes Medical Malpractice in New York?
Medical malpractice accidents don’t only happen to adults; they happen to children and infants, as well. Many medical malpractice injuries occur during the birth process and can cause serious defects and permanent injuries to a child. If your child or infant has been injured because of a medical professional’s negligence, you can bring a claim on your child’s behalf to compensate for their injuries.
Common causes of medical malpractice:
- Failure to update practices: Medical malpractice can occur when a physician does not follow current medically accepted protocols, leading to preventable injuries.
- Diagnostic errors: Mistakes in diagnosing an illness or injury can result in serious conditions, such as cancer, going untreated.
- Protocol violations: Malpractice may happen if a doctor or hospital staff member fails to follow established safety procedures.
- Carelessness: Accidents can result from distraction, rushing, or a lack of proper attention to the patient.
Can I Sue For Medical Malpractice If My Treatment Resulted In A Bad Outcome, But Was Not Necessarily Below The Standard Of Care?
Not every medical treatment that has a negative outcome is eligible for a medical malpractice claim. Our Brooklyn malpractice attorneys place a distinction between an unfavorable medical result and negligent conduct. When a healthcare professional breaks away from the accepted standard of care in the medical community and causes harm or injury, it is known as medical malpractice.
For a successful lawsuit, it's not enough to show that the outcome was negative; one must prove that the care provided was below the standard expected of a reasonably competent healthcare professional under similar circumstances. This often requires the insight of a medical expert to testify about what the standard of care is and how it was breached.
While pursuing a malpractice suit, it is essential to remember that various factors can contribute to a negative medical outcome, including underlying health conditions, patient non-compliance, and unforeseeable complications. Therefore, having a legal team that can effectively dissect the claim and differentiate between genuine malpractice and unfortunate outcomes is invaluable. This careful evaluation can safeguard against unnecessary litigation and direct focus toward taking viable legal action based on substantive claims.
Understanding New York’s Medical Malpractice Laws
New York State imposes specific laws governing medical malpractice, providing a framework for patients to pursue claims against negligent healthcare providers. A key element of these laws is the statute of limitations, which stipulates that plaintiffs must file a malpractice claim within two and a half years from either the date of the alleged act of malpractice or the last date of continuous treatment for the same condition. However, exceptions exist, such as in cases of foreign objects left in the body, where the timeline to initiate a claim begins at the discovery date of the object.
New York also applies a discovery rule, meaning the statute of limitations begins when you knew or should have known about your injury rather than when it occurred. Because these deadlines can be complex, it’s important to contact our firm promptly if you’re unsure whether your claim is still within the allowable time frame.
Take Action & Hire Our Brooklyn Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If you have suffered an injury because of medical malpractice, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. When you suffer an injury at the hands of your medical provider, you may want to seek a second opinion or treatment from another doctor. You should keep all documentation about your treatment and your injuries, as this will be important documentation for your malpractice claim. You should contact an experienced New York malpractice lawyer as soon as possible because your time frame for filing a claim is limited, and you need to seek compensation for your injuries immediately.
If you have suffered an injury during the course of medical treatment, contact Belushin Law Firm, P.C. online or call (888) 918-9890 to hire a compassionate and dedicated Brooklyn medical malpractice lawyer.
FAQs on Medical Malpractice in Brooklyn
What Should I Do If I Suspect Medical Malpractice?
If you suspect medical malpractice in Brooklyn, first seek care from another healthcare professional to address ongoing health issues. Document all treatments, communications, and health changes, as this will be critical if you pursue a claim. Contacting a medical malpractice lawyer in Brooklyn promptly can help protect your rights and guide you through the process.
How Do I Prove Medical Malpractice?
To prove malpractice, you must show that a healthcare provider deviated from accepted medical standards, causing harm. Evidence typically includes medical records, expert testimony, and detailed accounts of your condition before and after treatment. An experienced attorney can help gather this evidence and build a strong case.
Can I Sue a Hospital for Malpractice?
Yes. Hospitals can be liable if they fail to hire competent staff, maintain equipment, or follow safety protocols. For example, employing a negligent or poorly trained provider that causes harm can result in hospital liability.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Medical Malpractice Claim?
In a medical malpractice claim, recoverable damages can include economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages cover quantifiable losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages address more subjective losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the healthcare provider’s conduct was especially egregious.
What Makes Medical Malpractice Claims in Brooklyn Unique?
Brooklyn’s diverse population and concentration of large medical institutions can make malpractice claims complex. Language, cultural considerations, and well-resourced hospitals can influence both the standard of care and legal strategy. A local attorney familiar with Brooklyn’s healthcare landscape can provide crucial guidance.
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