Bellevue Medical Malpractice Attorney
Everyone expects excellent care when they go in as a patient for medical treatment. However, even doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals can be negligent when it comes to patient care, and when injuries result the patient may have a claim for medical malpractice. In Bellevue, victims of medical malpractice that want experienced, knowledgeable legal representation go to Injury Law Group NW for assistance with their case. To learn more and for a free consultation with a Bellevue medical malpractice attorney, call or contact our office now.
What is Medical Malpractice?
In order to establish a claim for medical malpractice, an injury victim must show that the medical professionals accused of misconduct had a duty of care that they violated with their negligence or recklessness. The way to prove medical malpractice is to establish a standard of care, or what other medical professionals with the same experience would do when faced with the same situation. If the accused healthcare provider failed to operate at the established standard of care that resulted in actual injuries for the patient, they committed medical malpractice.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In Washington, patients who have suffered medical malpractice only have a small window in which to file a claim for damages. Known as the statute of limitations, if a medical malpractice case is not filed within this window, the court can throw out the claim and bar the victim from collecting any damages. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases is three years from the date of the incident or one year after you discovered, or should have discovered, the injury. There are some exceptions to this rule if the victim was a minor when the malpractice took place, and an experienced lawyer can ensure that your claim is filed on time.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice claims can be incredibly complex and nuanced that require an experienced lawyer to manage successfully. In addition to filing the case within the statute of limitations, medical malpractice cases have mandated mediation that must be completed before a case can go to court. An attorney is the best person to represent your interests in mandatory mediation and can help determine whether any proposed settlement properly compensates the victim for the injuries they sustained. If a settlement cannot be reached, a lawyer can take the case to trial and secure the expert witnesses needed to prove that the healthcare professionals who caused the harm did not meet the standard of care required of their profession. To learn more about how a lawyer can assist in a medical malpractice case, talk to our office today.
Talk to Our Bellevue Medical Malpractice Attorneys Now
Medical professionals have an obligation to treat their patients with care and respect. When they fail to do so they must be held accountable for the harm they inflict through a medical malpractice case. If you are interested in filing a medical malpractice claim in the Bellevue area, call or contact a Bellevue medical malpractice attorney at Injury Law Group NW today to schedule a free evaluation of your case.
