When you visit your doctor, physician or other health care provider, you expect to be treated with the level of professionalism and skill expected by professionals in that field. When these professionals fail to meet this standard, it can cause injury and suffering, sometimes with devastating results. When this happens, you may need the help of a Washington Medical Malpractice Attorney to help recover compensation for your losses.
Medical malpractice can involve any type of healthcare mistake or oversight. It can range from failing to diagnose a condition to surgical errors. One of the most common mistakes is administering too much or too little anesthesia, which can cause brain damage or death in certain cases. Other types of negligence include failing to properly monitor a patient or using unclean tools during surgery.
Washington Medical Malpractice Attorney: Seeking Justice for Victims
Most medical malpractice claims involve expert witness testimony to support the allegations of breach of the professional standard of care. Experts can also provide opinions about the extent of a patient’s injuries and how they were impacted by the breach in care. For example, in a case involving a misdiagnosis, the expert can explain the difference between an honest mistake and a negligent error in diagnosis that resulted in serious harm to a patient.
In the state of Washington, you have three years from the date of alleged malpractice to file a claim. However, this time limit can change based on the circumstances of your case. For example, if you are a minor who suffered injury due to medical negligence, the statute of limitations can extend until you reach age 18.