A large number of medical procedures come with at least some potential risks. Medical providers are required to let patients know about known risks before conducting procedures, while also being as vigilant as possible to avoid harming patients, but they sometimes fail to do so.

This is unfortunate. All of us will require some form of medical care in our lives. We trust our health care professionals to heal us, not to hurt us because they are negligent in some capacity.

Unfortunately, there are times when medical mistakes are made, and patients lose their lives. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we are here to help if you need a Philadelphia fatal medical mistakes attorney by your side. If you have lost a loved one due to the actions of a doctor or another medical provider, we want to help you recover the closure and compensation you are entitled to.

How often the fatal medical errors occur?

Fatal medical errors occur more often than most people realize. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Researchers say that as many as 250,000 people lose their lives each year due to preventable medical errors. Some studies say that this number reaches as many as 400,000 lives lost annually.

Fatal medical errors can occur in a wide variety of ways, but some of the most common causes of these incidents include the following:

Again, these are merely a few examples. If a loved one has died, you might not be entirely clear on whether the cause of their passing qualifies as an example of a fatal medical error. This is one of many reasons to review your case with the experts at a Philadelphia fatal medical mistakes law firm. A professional with experience handling Philadelphia medical malpractice cases can go over the details of your loved one’s passing and help you better determine if you have grounds to file a medical malpractice insurance claim or lawsuit.

Be aware that the initial consultation with a Philadelphia medical malpractice law firm will be free. You’re not risking anything by at least discussing your case with an attorney who can suggest whether it is worth your time to take legal action.

Who can file a lawsuit in these medical malpractice situations?

In Pennsylvania, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate is responsible for filing wrongful death lawsuits. This person is sometimes referred to as the executor of the estate. However, in the event the personal representative of the deceased’s estate does not file a wrongful death claim within six months from the date of death, any of the beneficiaries of the deceased will be allowed to file a claim on behalf of all of the other beneficiaries.

In practice, some of the parties most likely to file a lawsuit in these cases will be the:

  • Spouse of the deceased
  • Children of the deceased
  • Parents of the deceased
  • Any other surviving family member who was a beneficiary of the deceased

Individuals in these situations may be entitled to various types of compensation. If the medical provider in question is found to have caused the deceased’s death, they may be ordered to pay damages to the deceased’s survivors or estate. This can include the following:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Hospital and medical expenses
  • Estate administration costs
  • Lost wages and benefits the deceased would have earned had they lived
  • The loss of the deceased’s household services, comfort, guidance, and companionship they would have provided had they lived

These points highlight another reason to enlist the help of an attorney who handles Philadelphia fata medical mistake cases. If you attempt to recover compensation on your own, an insurance company or liable party might take advantage of your lack of experience with these circumstances by offering less compensation than you may deserve based on the extent and severity of your losses.

This is less likely to happen if you are represented by a Philadelphia medical malpractice legal specialist. While they can’t promise you will settle for a specific amount of money, they can account for all your compensable losses (which may include losses you did not know you deserved compensation for) to negotiate for a fair payout. Lawyers understand how insurance companies and liable parties try to minimize how much money victims in these cases actually receive. Thus, they know how to negotiate effectively when the initial settlement offers a victim receives are unreasonably low.

Call a Philadelphia fatal medical mistake attorney today

If you have lost somebody that you love due to the careless or negligent actions of a medical professional in or around the Philadelphia area, reach out to the team at The Weitz Firm, LLC for help as soon as possible. Our attorneys have a track record of success when it comes to investigating complex medical malpractice claims throughout Pennsylvania. We have the resources necessary to handle every aspect of your claim, and we want to make sure that you and your family receive the closure and compensation you are entitled to. When you need a Philadelphia fatal medical mistakes attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.

Click To Call