James Frazier | | Medical Malpractice
The Orlando medical malpractice attorneys at Paul | Knopf | Bigger are dedicated to holding negligent healthcare professionals accountable for the harm they inflict. Our medical malpractice attorneys will explain the various facets of medical malpractice in Orlando and provides guidance on how victims can seek justice.

Orlando Medical Malpractice Attorneys | Seeking Justice for Medical Errors

The Orlando medical malpractice attorneys at Paul | Knopf | Bigger are dedicated to holding negligent healthcare professionals accountable for the harm they inflict. Our medical malpractice attorneys will explain the various facets of medical malpractice in Orlando and provides guidance on how victims can seek justice. If you have immediate questions, call us at (800) 434-4327.

Medical errors and negligence have devastating consequences for individuals and families. In the United States, medical errors rank as the third leading cause of death, accounting for approximately 10% of all fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. In Orlando, as in the rest of the U.S., healthcare providers sometimes fall short of the professional standards required, causing severe injuries and even wrongful deaths.

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider—such as a doctor, nurse, or hospital—fails to deliver the standard level of care expected in their field. This breach of duty can lead to serious injuries or even death. Florida law, as outlined in Section 766.102 of the Florida Statutes, defines medical negligence as care that deviates from the accepted professional standard in a specific medical specialty.

Understanding Medical Malpractice in Orlando

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider—such as a doctor, nurse, or hospital—fails to deliver the standard level of care expected in their field. This breach of duty can lead to serious injuries or even death. Florida law, as outlined in Section 766.102 of the Florida Statutes, defines medical negligence as care that deviates from the accepted professional standard in a specific medical specialty.

Examples of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice cases in Orlando arise in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms. Some of the most common types of medical negligence include:

  1. Diagnostic Errors
    Diagnostic errors are among the most common types of medical malpractice. Failure to diagnose, delayed diagnoses, or misdiagnoses can have life-altering consequences. Serious conditions like cancer, infections, heart attacks, and strokes require prompt identification and treatment. Failure to properly diagnose these conditions can lead to worsened health outcomes or even death.
    Example: If a radiologist misses a malignant tumor on an X-ray, a patient may lose critical time needed for life-saving treatment.
  2. Surgical Errors
    Surgical errors can range from performing surgery on the wrong body part to leaving surgical instruments inside a patient. These mistakes may cause internal bleeding, infections, and nerve damage, often leading to severe or permanent harm.
    Example: A surgeon fails to adhere to sterile procedures during an operation, introducing a life-threatening infection.
  3. Emergency Room Mistakes
    Emergency rooms are fast-paced, high-stress environments where errors can easily occur. Miscommunication between staff members during shift changes, failure to triage patients correctly, or overlooking critical symptoms like those of a stroke or heart attack can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
    Example: A patient presenting symptoms of a heart attack is discharged without proper evaluation, leading to a fatal cardiac event later.
  4. Medication Errors
    Medication errors happen when the wrong drug or dosage is administered to a patient, or when a healthcare provider fails to consider drug interactions or known allergies. This can lead to harmful side effects or even death.
    Example: A nurse administers an incorrect dose of a blood thinner, causing severe internal bleeding.

Medical Malpractice

Orlando Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Proving a medical malpractice case in Orlando involves demonstrating that a healthcare provider’s actions fell below the acceptable standard of care. These cases are often complex and require expert medical testimony, thorough investigations, and an in-depth understanding of both medical and legal principles.

The Legal Process

  1. Investigation and Evidence Gathering
    The first step in a medical malpractice lawsuit is gathering evidence. This includes medical records, testimonies from medical experts, and other relevant documents that prove the healthcare provider’s negligence caused harm to the patient.
  2. Proving Negligence
    To win a medical malpractice case, it must be proven that the healthcare provider breached the standard of care and that this breach directly caused the patient’s injury or death.
    Example: If a doctor failed to diagnose appendicitis in a patient with severe abdominal pain, a medical expert would testify that a reasonable doctor would have considered this diagnosis and ordered appropriate tests.
  3. Common Outcomes in Malpractice Cases
    Successful medical malpractice cases in Orlando often result in compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Some cases may settle out of court, while others proceed to trial.
    Example: Orlando medical malpractice attorneys at Paul Knopf Bigger have secured multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for their clients, including compensation for life-altering injuries caused by diagnostic errors and surgical mistakes.

Surgical Errors: Preventable but Costly

While all surgeries carry inherent risks, certain surgical mistakes are preventable and should never occur. These include operating on the wrong body part, severing vital organs or nerves, and leaving surgical instruments inside a patient. Such errors often stem from negligence or incompetence, such as inadequate planning, poor communication, or even the surgeon’s exhaustion.

In Orlando, surgical malpractice cases often hinge on whether the error went beyond the known risks of the surgery. For a successful claim, it must be shown that the care provided fell below the standard expected of a competent healthcare professional in similar circumstances.

Emergency Room Malpractice in Orlando

The chaotic nature of emergency rooms makes them prone to errors. These mistakes can range from misdiagnosing critical conditions to prematurely discharging patients without proper evaluation. Orlando medical malpractice attorneys frequently handle cases where patients were sent home with undiagnosed strokes, heart attacks, or bowel obstructions, only to suffer severe harm or death later.

When pursuing an emergency room malpractice case, it must be demonstrated that a competent healthcare provider would have acted differently in the same situation and that the error directly caused harm to the patient.

Emergency Room Malpractice in Orlando

The Statute of Limitations for Orlando Medical Malpractice Cases

In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is two years from the date the malpractice occurred or was discovered. In some cases, the latest you can file is four years after the incident. It is critical to consult with an Orlando medical malpractice attorney promptly to avoid missing this deadline.  Call us now at (800) 434-4327.

The Pre-Suit Process

Florida law mandates a thorough pre-suit investigation before filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. This includes submitting a notice of intent to the healthcare provider, along with a verified written medical expert opinion supporting the claim. Failing to follow these steps can result in the dismissal of your case.

Why You Need Orlando Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Medical malpractice cases are complex, requiring specialized legal and medical knowledge. The attorneys at Paul Knopf Bigger have a long track record of success, representing clients who have suffered serious harm due to medical negligence. Their experience in litigating and settling cases in Orlando makes them a top choice for those seeking justice.

Paul | Knopf | Bigger - Florida Injury Attorneys

Trust Paul | Knopf | Bigger for Your Medical Malpractice Case

With a history of securing multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, the attorneys at Paul | Knopf | Bigger are trusted by clients and colleagues alike to handle the most challenging medical malpractice cases. If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, contact an experienced Orlando medical malpractice attorney today for a free case evaluation.

If you believe you have been a victim of medical negligence in Orlando, don’t wait. Contact Paul | Knopf | Bigger at (800) 434-4327 or complete the “Free Case Evaluation” form on our website for expert legal guidance.

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