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When you have put your trust, faith, and health in the hands of your medical team, and that trust is violated, you need a Kennewick Medical Malpractice Attorney on your side, fighting for your rights. Medical providers take an oath to “Do no harm.” Patients not only trust their medical providers to maintain a standard of care, we also have faith that their actions will help us to live a long and healthy life.
When you or someone you love is injured due to the negligence of a medical provider, the results can be devastating. At Ritchie Reiersen Law, we understand how much of an impact a medical error can have on an individual and their family – impacts that can last for years. Call today to speak with an experienced Personal Injury Attorney about your experience. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Most medical procedures contain a certain element of risk, and we agree to that when we seek medical care. However, when a doctor or other healthcare provider makes an error in judgment, or is otherwise negligent, the results can be catastrophic and the injury to the patient can last a lifetime.
This is what we would define as medical malpractice. Because there is always some inherent risk to medical procedures, however, be advised that not all adverse outcomes are grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
In order to prove medical malpractice, one must prove that the physician or other healthcare provider was negligent or that they failed to deliver the accepted standard of care to the patient – and that the injury or other adverse outcome was a direct result of that action. Medical malpractice cases in Washington must be reviewed by other experts in the field to ensure they are not “frivolous” (referred to as getting a Certificate of Merit), and overall can be both time consuming and costly to pursue.
If you believe your medical provider acted with negligence in their care of you or your loved one, contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer to review your experience and get their educated opinion on the strength of your case. If there truly were negligent actions on the part of the physician, it is important that they are held responsible for their actions – not only to help you find closure and receive the compensation you deserve, but also to prevent a similar experience for others in the future.
Compensation for damages is generally split up into two categories:
- Economic damages generally compensate an injured patient for out-of-pocket costs: Includes current and future medical expenses, long term care, assistive equipment and home modification expenses, lost wages, loss of earning power, etc.
- Non-economic damages compensate for subjective harm, and is much more difficult to calculate: Includes compensation for pain and suffering, loss of relationships, impacts on quality of life, scarring and disfigurement, etc.
In Washington state, unlike most other states, punitive damages typically cannot be awarded in medical malpractice cases.
Most Medical Malpractice Lawyers work on a contingency fee system. This means that any payment due to them is contingent upon the case being won. When the case is settled or won in trial, the attorney fees are typically thirty-three percent of the full award amount – this will cover the attorney’s time as well as the fees they paid in preparing a strong case.
If you or someone you love has been injured through what you believe to be medical malpractice, it is important to meet with a Kennewick Medical Malpractice Attorney as soon as possible. Not only is there a statute of limitation that dictates how long a person has to file a claim, but the details and memory of an experience are the most easily recalled shortly after it happened.
At Ritchie Reiersen Law, we believe the most effective lawyers are those who are passionate about helping their clients improve their situation, honest and upfront about the process, and ethical and trustworthy defenders of both the law and the rights of their clients. From the moment you walk into our offices, you’ll be treated with compassion and respect – you’ll be treated like family. With years of experience helping thousands of individuals, we have the tools that are necessary to successfully fight for the needs of our clients.
We are pleased to offer a complementary, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Medical Negligence Attorney. With an opportunity to share your experience and ask your questions, we can help you find answers and give you honest feedback about your case. Because we understand that life is difficult at times, especially when you’re dealing with medical issues and injuries – if you can’t make it to us, we will come to you.
Figuring out the best course of action after an injury can be intimidating. Without taking the correct steps to protect your rights, you could miss out on a significant sum of money. Discuss your case with a Kennewick medical malpractice lawyer for more information about your next steps. Call today for a consultation.
