Union County Medical Malpractice Lawyers

When you’re suffering from a physical problem and you seek medical attention, you expect, at a minimum, that your condition won’t get worse because of careless or negligent acts by nurses, doctors, or other medical caregivers. Unfortunately, it happens all too often—many hospitals are understaffed, and some medical professionals simply don’t pay attention to ensure that you get the appropriate level of care. If you have suffered any type of loss because of the wrongful act of a medical provider, you want an experienced team of medical malpractice lawyers in New Jersey to protect your rights.

Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle

We are committed to holding doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals accountable for all careless or negligent acts. We handle a wide range of medical malpractice claims, including cases involving:

• Failures to diagnose illnesses or injuries, whether due to failure to conduct appropriate tests, misreading of test results, or other wrongful acts
• Misdiagnoses, leading to unnecessary treatments or unchecked advancement of adverse medical conditions
• Surgical errors, such as performing the wrong surgery, operating on the wrong body part, failing to prevent infection, leaving surgical implements in a body cavity, or carelessly damaging other body parts during surgery
• Birth injuries, including cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy, hypoxia injuries, shoulder Dystocia, forceps or clamp injuries, failures to perform Caesarean sections in a timely manner, and brachial plexus injuries
• Medication errors, such as prescribing the wrong drugs, prescribing incorrect dosages, or failing to determine potential allergic reactions
• Hospital negligence, including inadequate patient monitoring, unsanitary conditions, delayed response to medical emergencies, improper staffing, or systemic failures that result in preventable harm or infection
• Nursing home negligence, encompassing failures to provide adequate care or supervision, neglect leading to bedsores or malnutrition, medication mismanagement, physical or emotional abuse, and unsafe living conditions that jeopardize residents’ health and dignity

New Jersey Medical Malpractice FAQ

What types of damages can I recover in a medical malpractice lawsuit in Springfield, NJ?

Victims of medical malpractice in Springfield, NJ, may be eligible to recover various types of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages. Our firm’s experienced medical malpractice attorneys can help assess the full extent of your losses and work to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.

How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in New Jersey?

New Jersey law stipulates a specific timeframe, known as the statute of limitations, within which a medical malpractice lawsuit must be filed. Typically, this period is two years from the date the malpractice occurred or when the patient should have reasonably discovered it. However, every case is unique, and we encourage you to discuss your specific circumstances with a medical malpractice lawyer for accurate legal advice.

How do you prove a doctor deviated from the standard of care?

Proving deviation requires showing that the doctor acted differently from how a reasonably skilled doctor would under similar circumstances. Expert witnesses, often other doctors, testify about the expected standard of care. Medical records, treatment notes, and hospital policies are compared against this standard. A clear discrepancy forms the basis of negligence. This is the core element of a malpractice case. Without expert testimony, most malpractice claims cannot succeed.

Can a hospital be held liable for malpractice by one of its doctors?

Yes, under a doctrine called “vicarious liability.” If a doctor is an employee of the hospital, the hospital can be held responsible for the malpractice. Even with independent contractors, liability may apply if the hospital presented the doctor as its agent. Hospitals may also be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision. This can expand the scope of your recovery beyond the individual doctor. Suing both ensures all responsible parties are held accountable.

What damages are recoverable in a medical malpractice lawsuit?

Victims can recover medical expenses, lost income, and future treatment costs. Non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional trauma are also common. In severe cases, lifelong care and disability-related costs are included. Families may also claim wrongful death damages if malpractice causes a fatality. Some cases may even allow punitive damages if the conduct was grossly negligent. Compensation is tailored to reflect the full impact of the malpractice.

Why choose Lee Law Firm for your medical malpractice case in New Jersey?

At Lee Law Firm, we bring over 35 years of experience to your medical malpractice case in New Jersey. Our dedicated team, led by medical malpractice attorney Edward Lee, a New Jersey Super Lawyer, offers personalized attention and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. If you’ve suffered due to medical malpractice, we invite you to reach out to us for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.

Contact Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Union County, NJ

Don’t face the consequences of an act of medical malpractice on your own. The Union County medical malpractice lawyers here at Lee Law Firm are dedicated to representing malpractice victims throughout New Jersey, and we stand ready to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us for a free initial consultation today.

Additional Information & Resources

• AMA Code of Medical Ethics – Patient Rights: Outlines the rights of patients as per the American Medical Association, including the right to courtesy, respect, dignity, and informed consent. It’s a crucial resource for understanding patient rights in medical settings.
• MedlinePlus – Patient Rights: An official U.S. government website providing information on patient rights, including the right to medical records privacy and informed consent. This is a reliable source for patients seeking information about their rights in healthcare.
• The Malpractice Crisis: Provides insights into the malpractice crisis, including discussions on non-economic damage caps, myths surrounding medical malpractice, and suggestions for legal reform to improve patient compensation.