Experienced Fresno Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Fresno Medical Malpractice Attorney
Find out why we have some of the best Fresno medical malpractice lawyers
Fresno Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Has a medical provider injured you or a loved one? Our skilled Fresno medical malpractice lawyers are committed to assisting those who have encountered medical malpractice.
If you have been injured by those you have sought out for help, you need justice. Call our Fresno medical malpractice lawyers today at (559) 603-8332 for a free consultation today.
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Settlement
A 45-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) due to persistent abdominal pain. While the procedure was expected to be standard, complications emerged during surgery. The surgical team inadequately monitored her vital signs, employed improper techniques throughout the operation, and our client did not receive appropriate post-operative care.
March 2024
An Overview of Medical Malpractice in Fresno
Medical malpractice refers to the negligence or wrongful acts committed by healthcare professionals that result in injury, illness, or death. It occurs when a medical professional fails to adhere to the established standards of care while providing medical treatment. The key elements of medical malpractice include the duty of care owed by the medical professional, the breach of that duty, and the resulting injury or illness.
Medical professionals have a duty of care to provide treatment that meets the standards of practice in their field. This duty means they must exercise the same level of care that a reasonably competent healthcare professional would provide in similar circumstances. A breach of duty occurs if a medical professional fails to meet this duty, such as by making an error or omission during treatment. [1]
Fresno has the longest wait time in California for an emergency room visitor to be admitted to the hospital – the median wait time is 10 hours! [2] During this time, things can go wrong. In addition to potentially life-threatening wait times, two of the major hospitals in the area have a C rating for safety as of Fall 2024, with both of them rating poorly for deaths related to serious, but treatable complications. [3],[4]
Types of Medical Malpractice in Fresno
Medical malpractice cases can arise from various types of errors or negligence committed by healthcare professionals. Let’s take a closer look at some common types:
- Surgical Errors: These occur when mistakes are made during surgical procedures. Examples include operating on the wrong site or organ, damaging nerves or blood vessels, leaving surgical tools inside the patient, or anesthesia errors during the surgery.
- Diagnostic Errors: These errors occur when medical professionals fail to correctly diagnose a condition or misinterpret test results. Common examples include misdiagnosing cancer or other serious illnesses, failing to order necessary tests, or delaying the diagnosis, resulting in harm to the patient.
- Pharmaceutical Errors: These involve mistakes in prescribing, administering, or monitoring medications. It can include prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or failing to consider a patient's allergies or potential drug interactions.
- Birth Injuries: These occur during labor and delivery and can have lifelong consequences for both the baby and mother. Examples include failing to recognize or respond appropriately to fetal distress, improper use of delivery tools, or medication errors during childbirth.
- Anesthesia Errors: Anesthesia is a critical part of many medical procedures, and errors can have severe consequences. Errors can include giving the wrong dosage of anesthesia, failing to monitor the patient properly during the procedure, or not addressing complications promptly.
In all these instances, medical professionals may be held accountable for their actions or omissions through a medical malpractice claim. A claim must be filed within three years from the date of injury or one year after the injury was discovered (whichever comes first). California Code, CCP 340.5. Due to this time limit, it is important to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one experienced harm due to any of these types of medical malpractice, consult with our Fresno personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
Consequences of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can result in significant harm and devastating injuries for patients. When healthcare professionals fail to uphold the standard of care, patients can suffer a wide range of consequences. These consequences can include physical, emotional, and financial hardships.
Paralysis – One of the most severe and life-altering damages that can occur due to medical malpractice is paralysis. Surgical errors, birth injuries, or anesthesia mistakes can lead to spinal cord injuries resulting in partial or complete paralysis. This can profoundly impact a patient’s quality of life and independence.
Coma – Anesthesia errors, medication mistakes, or lack of oxygen during surgery can cause this. Comas can result in long-term cognitive impairments, severe physical limitations, or vegetative states.
Brain Damage – Inadequate treatment for stroke, anesthesia errors, or surgical mistakes can lead to brain injuries that can affect cognition, motor skills, and overall functioning.
Organ damage – Improper surgical techniques, anesthesia errors, or failure to recognize and treat complications can lead to damage to vital organs such as the heart, liver, or lungs. Organ damage can result in long-term health issues and may require ongoing medical treatment or organ transplant.
Severe Infection – These infections can lead to sepsis, amputation, or other serious complications, putting the patient’s life at risk. These are often hospital-associated infections (HAI).
Emotional Trauma – When medical errors occur, it can lead to a range of painful emotions such as anger, sadness, and frustration. Patients may feel betrayed and violated by the very individuals who were supposed to help them.
These emotional consequences can be long-lasting, affecting the mental well-being of the patients and their loved ones, often leading to a loss of trust in the medical system and difficulty in seeking future medical treatment.
Patients who have suffered harm or injuries due to medical malpractice deserve justice and compensation for the damages they have endured.
By consulting with our experienced medical malpractice lawyers, you can hold responsible parties accountable and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Benefits of Hiring a Fresno Medical Malpractice Lawyer
In terms of potential economic damages that can be awarded in a medical malpractice case, our personal injury lawyers are well-versed in seeking financial compensation for their clients.
Damages can include:
- Disability
- Emotional distress
- Future medical care
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Our malpractice attorneys will fight vigorously on your behalf.
Hiring our Fresno medical malpractice lawyers will provide you with the legal representation needed to navigate the complexities of your medical malpractice case.
Have you or a loved one been the victim of medical malpractice in Fresno?
Contact our medical malpractice lawyers today for a free consultation, and let us help you begin the legal process today.
What Our Clients Say About Our Firm
Sources:
[1] Brazier, Y. (2023, June 8). What is medical malpractice? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248175
[2] California Health Care Foundation. (2021). California Emergency departments: a critical source of care. In California Health Care Almanac. https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/EmergencyDepartmentsAlmanac2021.pdf
[3] Hospital details. (n.d.). https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/h/community-regional-medical-center
[4] Hospital details. (n.d.-b). https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/h/saint-agnes-medical-center
We are dedicated advocates for clients who have suffered from medical malpractice in Fresno, striving to secure maximum compensation. Reach out today for a complimentary consultation to assess the viability of your case.
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