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The Devastation Of Medical Malpractice Injuries

When you turn to professionals for medical care, you are putting your health and your life in someone else’s hands. Doctors, nurses and other health care workers are held to high standards set by their professions, but from time to time they fall short of expectations. For many patients, the consequences of these instances of medical malpractice and negligence are devastating.

Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyers For Clients Injured By Medical Negligence

At Pfaff, Gill & Ports, Ltd., a Chicago personal injury law firm, we are dedicated to helping clients fight for justice after being injured due to medical malpractice. Our attorneys have built a track record of great success helping clients secure the compensation they deserve. The firm has prevailed in cases against high-profile doctors and large, prominent health care organization, such as:

  • The University of Chicago Hospitals
  • Loyola University Medical Center
  • Rush University Medical Center
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital
  • Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
  • Advocate Christ Medical Center
  • Advocate South Suburban Hospital
  • Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital
  • Methodist Medical Center and many others.

We have extensive experience advocating aggressively on behalf of injured people in a wide range of medical malpractice cases, including those involving:

  • Birth injuries sustained by either the child or by the mother, including cerebral palsy and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
  • Surgical errors in the operating room causing hemorrhage, vessel or nerve injury or other damage
  • Medication errors — negligence or malpractice in prescribing or administrating medication
  • Anesthesia errors causing death or hypoxic brain damage
  • Hospital negligence on the part of doctors, nurses or hospital administrators
  • Medical mistakes in the emergency room
  • Mistreatment of metabolic disorders like hyponatremia causing brain injuries and central pontine myelinolysis
  • Diagnosis errors that result in failure to treat life-threatening conditions
  • Failure to diagnose or treat spinal cord injuries

View our representative medical malpractice victories.

Below are questions we are frequently asked regarding medical malpractice.

What constitutes medical malpractice?

Physicians in Illinois are expected to provide care according to a certain standard. When they stray from that standard and cause someone an injury, further illness or death, it is considered to be medical malpractice. To determine the standard of care, courts will look to other medical professionals who provide the same services to the similar patients.

What are examples of medical malpractice?

Medical negligence comes in many forms. For example, many people may think that there must be an error in the actual treatment of a patient, such as making a mistake during surgery or administering the wrong medication. However, diagnostic errors can also be considered medical malpractice. A physician who fails to diagnose, misdiagnoses or even delays a diagnosis could be viewed as acting negligently.

Is there a deadline for medical malpractice lawsuits?

Yes. Under Illinois law, someone who suffers as a result of medical negligence has up to two years from the date he or she discovers or should have discovered the injury to initiate the claim. There is also a statute of repose, which states that no one may bring a claim four years after the actual incident.

There is an exception for patients who are minors. Someone younger than 18 who experiences medical malpractice has as long as eight years to file a claim, provided that the lawsuit is initiated before the victim has turned 22.

How do I prove medical malpractice?

There are three main components that medical malpractice victims or their families must prove against a healthcare provider:

  • The patient was under the care of the defendant
  • The defendant strayed from the standard of care
  • The deviation led to the patient’s injuries or wrongful death

Additionally, Illinois law requires that prior to filing the claim, the plaintiff must consult with a qualified health professional who can attest to the legitimacy of the lawsuit. The only exception is for when doing so would mean missing the statute of limitations deadline.

What damages are available in a medical malpractice lawsuit?

Medical negligence claims can recover compensatory damages which seek to restore someone’s quantifiable losses. That would include money spent on medication, hospital stays and further treatment. Non-compensatory damages address the physical pain and suffering and emotional distress that these medical mistakes can cause.

These lawsuits require the assistance of a legal professional. Anyone who has questions about this issue should speak with a medical malpractice attorney in Illinois.

Efficient And Cost-Effective So You Can Recover

Medical malpractice cases are expensive and often difficult to win. At Pfaff, Gill & Ports, Ltd., our legal team has the in-depth legal knowledge, skill and resources to see you through even the most complex medical malpractice cases with steadfast expertise and personal service.

Our team of attorneys diligently investigates each case to uncover the evidence needed to prevail at trial. We work closely with highly regarded medical experts and distill their findings into persuasive, understandable explanations for the courtroom.

Learn More About Your Options For Financial Compensation Today

If you or a loved one has been injured due to negligence from a medical provider, we can help. During a no-cost consultation, we will learn about your situation and offer a realistic assessment of your case. We take the time to explain your options so that you can make an informed decision about whether you want to take legal action.

To schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced medical negligence lawyer, contact Pfaff, Gill & Ports, Ltd., at 312-638-2407 or email us directly.

Based in Chicago, we practice throughout Northern Illinois.

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