What is Medical Malpractice?
When people are injured or ill and seek medical help, they place their trust in the hands of the medical professionals who treat them.
Unfortunately, doctors sometimes make mistakes and cause severe personal injuries or fatalities to their patients. According to researchers from John Hopkins University, medical malpractice is a very pervasive problem.
In fact, it is the third leading cause of fatalities in the U.S. An estimated 250,000 people die in the U.S. each year because of medical errors, and many more are injured. That’s why a medical malpractice lawyer can be so helpful.
Suffering injuries because of the malpractice of your doctor or other health care professionals can cause worsened symptoms, permanent disabilities, or a poor prognosis, and medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and that breach causes injury.
If you have been injured by medical errors, or your loved one died because of a medical mistake, you may want to talk to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer at the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook. A valid claim generally requires a patient-doctor relationship and proof that the provider’s negligence caused the harm.
We have more than 40 years of experience helping the personal injury victims by medical malpractice recover compensation for their losses. Our law firm handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no upfront attorney fees, attorney fees are paid from a recovery, you owe no attorney fees if there is no recovery, and we typically advance litigation costs.
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Arkansas Medical Malpractice Lawyers Holding Negligent Physicians Accountable
At the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook, your medical malpractice lawyer will explain that doctors, hospitals, and nurses often try to cover up personal injury caused by malpractice, and that hospitals and other healthcare facilities may also be liable for their own negligence under certain conditions.
When the care that doctors provide falls below the standard of care that is expected of a reasonably competent professional in the same specialty under similar circumstances, the doctors may be held liable for medical malpractice claims. When you hold a doctor accountable for malpractice, you may recover damages to compensate you for your losses.
Your claim may also put others on notice about the doctors’ substandard care, which may protect them from medical malpractice.
Our lawyers retain medical experts to review complex medical records and nurses’ notes so that we can determine whether the doctors’ care fell below their expected standards of care. They also provide expert testimony to help show a negligent act and prove the provider’s negligence.
If your doctor made a mistake that caused you injury, we may agree to accept representation and advocate for you to recover the maximum damages for your losses.
How to Recognize Medical Malpractice: Warning Signs
- Unexpected Complications or Declines in Health: If a loved one experiences sudden complications or a drastic decline because an underlying medical condition became worse due to negligent care and doesn’t align with their original diagnosis, it could be a warning sign of medical malpractice.
- Failure to Receive Diagnostic Tests: Patients should receive all necessary diagnostic tests for a complete diagnosis. If tests are delayed, missed, or refused without explanation, this may indicate negligence, point to diagnostic errors, and suggest failure to diagnose, which is a common malpractice claim.
- Medication Errors: Incorrect prescriptions, dosages, or failure to monitor reactions to medications can all point to malpractice. Medication mistakes are a common reason for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.
- Lack of Communication: If a doctor or hospital fails to provide information about your condition, treatment, or test results, or you feel dismissed by medical professionals, this could be a sign of substandard care. Patients in this situation should consider seeking legal counsel if they suspect substandard care.
Types of Medical Malpractice
There are many different types of medical malpractice that can occur when you seek treatment. Our lawyers will review your injury and its cause to determine the type of malpractice that may have been committed in your case.
Some of the most common types of malpractice include the following:
Bed sores is one of the tell tell signs of understaffing by a medical care provider. These occur when the medical care provider, hospital, rehabilitation facility or physician, does not adequately staff for the patients.
Additionally to cut corners the facility will not properly assess, not have the proper mattresses and fail to turn the patient as directed in the care plan or other orders set out in the medical record. It is one of the classic signs of putting profits over people.
Falls is another indication of understaffing. Falls occur after a patient has been assessed to be a fall risk.
In order to prevent falls there needs to be certain interventions put in place.
- Some of those interventions are moving the patient closer to nurses station.
- Take out all hazards in the floor. Respond to the call light in a timely and urgent fashion.
- Leave the door open into the room.
- Offer a sitter or advise the family that a family member should stay in the room.
- Skid resistant socks.
- Warnings on the door on wall of a fall risk and a bed alarm to alert the medical care provider the patient has left the bed.
Sepsis can occur in with a medical care provider, such as a hospital also due to short staffing. This leads to failure to properly monitor the patient in the input, output, fever if any, response to stimuli etc.
Short staffing is probably the root cause of most issues with patient care. There is a conscious decision to save money by not having staffing. All of the above issues can be traced to short staffing. The saying “putting profits over people” is especially true for staffing decisions made by hospitals and medical care providers.
The medical malpractice lawyers at the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook are equipped to handle these types of medical malpractice claims and many others. We have more than 40 years of experience helping the victims of medical malpractice recover compensation for their losses.
Compensation in Medical Malpractice Cases
Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to compensation for both economic damages and non economic damages. Here are some of the types of compensation a successful medical malpractice lawsuit can recover:
- Medical Expenses: This includes all costs for medical care related to the malpractice. This covers surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, medical bills, and future medical expenses.
- Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries have impacted your ability to work, you may be entitled to recover lost income and compensation for diminished earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering: Medical malpractice can cause significant physical and emotional suffering. The court may award compensation for pain and suffering based on the severity and impact of your injuries, and these losses are considered non-economic damages.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence, punitive damages may be awarded to penalize the negligent party and deter similar behavior in the future, though punitive damages are rare and usually limited to especially severe misconduct. Your medical malpractice lawyer will determine whether your case warrants punitive damages.
Upon reviewing your medical documents, we can give you an honest assessment of whether you have a potential medical malpractice case and what losses can be proven as economic or non-economic losses. If we accept your case, we will work to secure damages to fully compensate you for your losses.
Why Choose Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys?
Trusted Legal Representation in Arkansas
At The Law Offices of Craig L. Cook, we understand the devastating impact medical malpractice can have on you and your family. With over 40 years of experience serving clients across Arkansas, our legal team includes an experienced attorney committed to holding negligent medical professionals accountable and securing the compensation you deserve.
Local Expertise Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice laws vary by state, and our attorneys have a deep understanding of Arkansas-specific regulations. From gathering evidence to navigating state laws, we provide the knowledge and experience necessary to build a strong case for our Arkansas clients, especially because these matters often involve complex legal circumstances compared with other personal injury claims.
Arkansas Medical Malpractice Laws
Protecting Patients Across the State
Arkansas law outlines clear expectations for medical professionals to provide a standard of care. Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers breach that standard of care and patients suffered harm. Our attorneys handle cases involving:
- Failure to diagnose, delayed diagnosis, and cancer misdiagnosis.
- Surgical errors and medication errors.
- Negligence in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation facilities, including claims involving doctor’s negligence or institutional negligence in some cases.
How We Advocate for Victims
From investigating the incident to examining insurance company involvement and working with medical experts, our personal injury lawyers guide injury victims through every step of the legal process. Our approach helps build a strong claim and ensures your case meets the state’s legal requirements, giving you the best chance for a successful outcome.
Top Questions About Medical Negligence
If you suspect malpractice, take these steps:
- Contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney at The Law Offices of Craig L. Cook for a free case review.
- Gather medical records and any related documents.
- Document any symptoms or complications resulting from the treatment.
Victims may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages in cases of gross negligence. This can include medical treatment costs, other economic damages, and non-economic losses depending on the facts of your case. Our attorneys will assess your case and determine what damages may be available.
In Arkansas, medical malpractice claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of injury. However, exceptions may apply in certain circumstances. Contact us immediately to ensure your claim is filed on time.
Helping Arkansas Victims of Medical Malpractice Seek Justice
Comprehensive Legal Support
At The Law Offices of Craig L. Cook, we provide personalized legal strategies to address the unique needs of medical malpractice victims in Arkansas. We work tirelessly to secure fair compensation and hold negligent providers accountable.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been injured due to medical malpractice, contact The Law Offices of Craig L. Cook for legal counsel and a free initial consultation. Let us help you pursue justice and get the compensation you deserve.
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