When you go to a hospital or other medical facility, you trust the healthcare professionals there to perform their jobs well. We know that so many people rely on a doctor to prescribe lifesaving medicines. Whether they are asthma, cardiac conditions, diabetes, or another major medical problem, millions of Americans count on receiving the correct medication.

But what happens when you or a loved one experience a medication error that causes further harm, or worse, death?

If a healthcare professional has caused you or loved one harm and you need a Philadelphia medication error attorney, you can count on The Weitz Firm, LLC to be by your side working to recover the compensation you deserve.

The Mistakes

Medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the United States and many of those mistakes revolve around medication errors. In fact, medication errors are one of the most common healthcare errors in the US, leading to an estimated 7,000 annual deaths.

In hospitals, medication errors are far too common. They come in the form of not giving the patients the correct medicine, giving them the wrong dosage of their medications, or simply not giving them their required medications. Studies show that the most commonly reported causes of medication problems have to do with slips and lapses, knowledge-based mistakes, and deliberate violations.

Doctors and nurses also cited problems in written communication, medicine supplies and storage, overworked staff, and interruptions while administering medications.

Prescription issues can happen if a doctor fails to obtain a full patient history, including medication the patient is currently taking. If a doctor prescribes a medication that is bad for the patient or has negative reactions with another medication the patient is on, the outcomes could be devastating.

Pharmacy errors are more common than people realize and can stem from the pharmacists or pharmacy technicians cutting corners and taking shortcuts. We understand that pharmacies are busy, but if their staff decides to override built-in safety measures, they are putting patients at risk.

We want to note that in-home healthcare professionals should perform at the same high quality of care that they would in a healthcare facility. They are often tasked with ensuring patients take their correct medications and doses throughout the day. A failure to do so properly could result in further harm to their patients.

What is the deadline to file an emergency room malpractice lawsuit?

In order to understand the timeline to file a medical malpractice claim in Pennsylvania, we have to dig into the law’s language. In most situations, Pennsylvania law provides that medical malpractice victims file their lawsuit within two years from the date they discover the mistake has occurred. Often, patients do not know right away that they have been harmed due to a medical error. That is why the law allows a lawsuit to be filed within two years from the date of discovery.

However, Pennsylvania law also stipulates that there is a seven-year statute of repose in place for medical malpractice lawsuits. This means that victims have a total of seven years to file a medical malpractice lawsuit regardless of when they discover the mistake occurred.

Finally, any person under the age of 18 who is harmed due to a medical error will have until their 20th birthday to file suit in order to recover compensation.

How much compensation is available to emergency room malpractice victims in Philadelphia?

Victims of emergency room malpractice may be entitled to various types of compensation for what has happened to them. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our qualified and experienced Philadelphia emergency room malpractice lawyers are regularly able to help clients recover the following types of compensation:

  • Full compensation of medical bills arising due to the mistake
  • Lost income if a victim is unable to work while they recover
  • Compensation for physical therapy or rehabilitation (if necessary)
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of personal enjoyment images

The total amount of compensation available for an emergency room malpractice case will vary depending on the factors related to each particular situation. These factors include the severity of the injury or illness caused by the error, level of a patient’s pain and suffering, the cost of ongoing medical care, and more.

Why is it necessary to have an attorney for an emergency room malpractice case?

If you are just starting your research about your emergency room malpractice case, it may seem overwhelming. That is because these cases are incredibly difficult to handle without assistance from an attorney. There are simply too many laws and technicalities for most medical malpractice victims to be expected to understand. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers want to handle every part of this case for you. We have the resources and experience necessary to:

  • Consult with medical experts in order to prove liability in this emergency room malpractice case.
  • Work to ensure that every client is properly cared for by trusted medical professionals.
  • Consult with financial and economic experts and to properly calculate your current and expected financial losses.
  • Negotiate with every party involved in an effort to secure maximum compensation for your claim.
  • Fully prepare your emergency room malpractice case to go to trial in front of a jury.

Moving Forward From Here

We know how scary it can be to go through a medication error made by a healthcare professional. If you have experienced this and need a medical malpractice attorney in Philadelphia, contact The Weitz Firm, LLC today. We know that these kinds of mistakes can harm you and make your medical condition worse. We want to help you recover compensation for your medical expenses and lost income if you miss work, but we will not stop there. We want you to receive payment for your pain and suffering as well as punitive damages against those responsible. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.

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