What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical Malpractice is, “bad, wrong, or injudicious treatment of a patient, professionally and in respect to the particular disease or injury, resulting. in injury, unnecessary suffering, or death to the patient, and proceeding from ignorance, carelessness, want of proper professional skill, disregard of established rules or principles, neglect, or a malicious or criminal intent .” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1111. 4th Ed. Rev. 1968). Like general malpractice, it refers to negligence in a professional setting. However, it is limited to healthcare providers, such as a doctor or hospital.
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the applicable standard of care, intentionally or unintentionally, and harms a patient. Cases such as Napier v. Greenzweig show that medical malpractice can be as blatant as ignoring understood rules, or it can be a mistake like a severe surgical error or a misdiagnosis. Medical malpractice is considered to be a serious issue, and healthcare providers found liable for malpractice often pay extensive damages. Occasionally, a doctor may lose their license to practice medicine if malpractice is severe enough or repeated.
Fully understanding cases of medical malpractice often involves some level of medical knowledge. Because of this, it is difficult to prove medical malpractice in court, and expert witnesses are typically needed to testify about a healthcare provider’s negligence.
More information about Medical Malpractice
How long does it take to resolve a personal injury case?
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Claim?
One of the most common questions that our clients ask is: how long it will take to settle my personal injury case? Unfortunately, no lawyer can answer that question for certain because every case is different and it can take time to reach the best outcome possible (if you encounter a lawyer who claims to be able to resolve your case in a fixed time period, that may be a red flag). And of course, if the insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, your case may go to trial which will extend the timeline a bit further.
To help you understand what to expect in a personal injury case, our experienced personal injury litigation team at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys explain the timeline of a typical case and the factors that can impact your recovery. […]
Read MoreMore information about Medical Malpractice
Frequently Asked Questions About Sepsis
Sepsis FAQ: I Was Diagnosed with Sepsis–Can I Sue the Hospital?
What is sepsis and is it serious?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sepsis is the body’s extreme inflammatory response to an infection that occurs when harmful germs, bacteria, and toxins enter the blood, skin, lungs, urinary tract, or other tissue and cause an infection. If that infection is not treated, it can spread and cause sepsis.
The CDC classifies sepsis as a life-threatening medical emergency, sometimes resulting in the need for amputation, organ failure, and death.
Sepsis has a remarkably high mortality rate; about 50% of the 1.5 million people who contract it go into septic shock.
What Causes Sepsis?
Any infection can cause sepsis, but the most common types of infections that eventually lead to sepsis are:
- Pneumonia and Other Lung Infections
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Abdominal Infections
- Bloodstream Infections
- Kidney Infections
- Skin Infections
According to the CDC, […]
Read MoreMore information about Medical Malpractice
Understanding damages in a personal injury case
How are damages determined in a personal injury case? What kinds of damages can I be compensated for?
Victims who were hurt by car crashes, truck collisions, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, asbestos exposure, or defective products can file lawsuits to recover for damages. The term “damages” refers to the amount of money that those victims are awarded to compensate for the financial losses, pain, and suffering that their injuries caused.
What Is the Difference Between Economic and Non-economic Damages?
They are two main types of damages in personal injury cases: economic damages and noneconomic damages.
Economic Damages can be thought of as the concrete financial costs caused by an injury. Examples of economic damages include the costs of medical treatments, procedures, medications, surgeries, and hospital stays, […]
Read MoreMore information about Medical Malpractice
Pottsville Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If you or someone you love suffered due to medical negligence in the Pottsville area, contact a Pottsville medical malpractice lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation
When someone suffers harm because of medical mistakes or failure to follow a standard of care, the negligent caregiver should be held responsible. As the patient or patient’s family member, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your suffering. The medical malpractice lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help. For nearly 60 years, our personal injury lawyers have helped people like you who have been harmed by medical errors or negligence.
Medical malpractice cases are often very complex. It is vital that you consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Pottsville to ensure your have the best chance of recovering full and fair compensation for your losses. […]
Read MoreMore information about Medical Malpractice
Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers From Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Named Best Lawyers 2018
The Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are pleased to announce that all six of our partners have been recognized in the 2018 edition of Best Lawyers in America.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. For the 2018 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, 7.4 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than 58,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.” […]
Read More
