Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale

Most Fort Lauderdale medical professionals are skilled and offer competent care. But everyone makes mistakes, including medical professionals. When a doctor’s or nurse’s negligence causes injuries and complications to a patient, a medical malpractice claim could be successful.

Speak to Englander Peebles Accident & Injury Lawyers today about your medical malpractice case. Our medical malpractice lawyers are on the coveted Super Lawyers list and have a 10.0 Superb Avvo rating. We have secured over $10 million in settlements and jury awards for our injured clients and know how to prove medical provider or facility negligence. You can speak to our Fort Lauderdale lawyers for negligence now at (954) 500-4878.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice in Florida is defined as subpar or negligent treatment offered by a medical provider or medical facility leading to patient harm or injury. While not every medical mistake is medical malpractice, the physical and psychological consequences of malpractice can be severe.

In Florida, medical providers such as physicians, dentists, nurses, hospitals, and other medical facilities can be held accountable in medical malpractice cases. The key to a medical malpractice case is linking the provider’s subpar care to the harm the patient suffered.

Why Do You Need A Fort Lauderdale Medical Malpractice Lawyer?

Medical malpractice cases are high stakes and challenging to prove. You can expect the medical professional or medical facility to fight the case aggressively. When you hire an experienced Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyer, you improve the chances of resolving the case successfully. Potential benefits of hiring a lawyer are:

Your attorney can provide detailed legal advice about your case, answer your questions, and lay out your legal options. For instance, some medical malpractice cases may be better solved in arbitration than going to trial.
Your negligence lawyer can collect evidence during your recovery. If your injuries were severe, this could be critical to your future mental and physical health. Medical malpractice attorneys also know the evidence that may convince a jury.
The attorney can represent you at trial and ensure that your evidence is presented most favorably.
A medical malpractice attorney gives you total peace of mind. With a skilled attorney, you know they’re doing all they can to obtain the most compensation for your injuries and other damages.

Types of Medical Malpractice Cases Englander Peebles Handles

The American Medical Association reports that 31% of physicians have been sued in their careers. The most common medical malpractice cases that Englander Peebles handles in Fort Lauderdale are:

Surgical mistakes: Surgery errors happen when a surgeon fails to complete a procedure per the accepted medical standards. The American Medical Association reports that surgeons are the most likely to be sued for malpractice. Typical cases involve orthopedics, cardiothoracic procedures, and laparoscopic surgeries.
Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis: Healthcare professionals may not order the proper tests or refer a patient to the wrong specialist, leading to a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose. About 795,000 patients in the US are disabled because of misdiagnosed or undiagnosed diseases. In Florida, failure to diagnose is the most common reason for medical malpractice lawsuits.
Medical product defect: Pharmaceuticals and medical devices are critical in the American healthcare system. However, not every product works as it should and can injure or kill patients. There are hundreds of thousands of medical device injuries in the US annually.
Infection: An infection acquired in a hospital is an underreported but common problem. Healthcare workers may not follow facility protocols to sterilize equipment, wash their hands, or identify potential infections in patients.
Medication errors: Prescription drug errors cause approximately 700,000 ER visits annually. Common mistakes leading to medical malpractice claims include giving the wrong drug, not giving the correct dosage, or failing to update patient records.
Birth injuries: Childbirth injuries happen when there is a critical error made during delivery or labor. Gynecologists and obstetricians are among the most likely medical professionals to be sued in the US. Some of the largest payouts in Florida for medical malpractice involve birth injuries.

If you think you’ve been injured in one of the cases mentioned above, speak to a medical malpractice attorney in Fort Lauderdale. If the doctor violated their duty of care and you have an injury due to the breach, you could be entitled to damages.

Florida Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations

Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice case. This means you have only two years from the date of injury, or when you became aware of the injury, to file a lawsuit.

Also, Florida state law requires a 90-day pre-lawsuit investigation, during which you must tell the healthcare professional of your intent to file suit. This 90-day timeframe gives the medical provider time to investigate. If the matter remains unresolved, your attorney will direct you through the additional steps required to proceed with the claim.

Potential Compensation In Fort Lauderdale Medical Malpractice Cases

A successful Florida medical malpractice claim can include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover past, current, and future medical expenses and lost income if the injury prevents you from working. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental anxiety, loss of life enjoyment, disfigurement, and loss of companionship.

Non-economic damages are challenging to quantify, but a seasoned medical malpractice attorney can help you estimate a figure to present at negotiations.

Note that Florida no longer has damage caps for medical malpractice cases. They did at one time, but those laws were found to be unconstitutional. So, there is no limit to the damages you could claim in a medical malpractice case.

Speak to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer In Fort Lauderdale Today

Were you injured by a medical provider or medical facility in Fort Lauderdale? Englander Peebles Accident & Injury Lawyers is an accomplished Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice law firm that can fight for your compensation.

Call (954) 500-4878 today for a free legal consultation.