Can you hold medical professionals responsible for their medical malpractice? Our team says you can. Our law firm can use evidence of medical negligence to build a claim that can bring you fair compensation.
You can rely on a Washington, DC, medical malpractice lawyer to put you first. Kitchel Law has served clients since 2019. Our team brings 28 years of combined experience to help you pursue medical malpractice compensation.
You can schedule your free case evaluation with our Washington, DC, personal injury lawyers today to discuss how we can successfully resolve your legal claim.
Can You Pursue a Medical Malpractice Claim?
You may have a chance to build a medical malpractice claim if we can provide evidence to prove that:
- A medical institution, personnel, specialist, or affiliated party owed you a duty of care.
- That party deliberately or accidentally put you in harm’s way, failing to uphold the standard of care required of a healthcare provider.
- That party’s negligence resulted in your economic and non-economic losses.
It can take considerable evidence to make these points, but you should not gather that evidence alone. Our medical malpractice lawyers in Washington, DC, can build your case, giving you time to focus on your recovery.
What Evidence Do You Need for a Medical Malpractice Case?
The evidence we use to establish your losses will vary based on the circumstances that led to your injuries. We focus on the specifics of your situation to prove that a medical professional failed to provide you with proper care.
Our attorneys may collect:
- Relevant electronic data
- Witness statements
- Third-party medical assessments
We know how to use the information we gather to establish the negligence that resulted in your injuries and financial losses.
When We Handle Medical Malpractice Claims
There are many ways that medical providers can fail to uphold the level of care patients like you deserve. We can step in to assist if a healthcare professional:
- Refuses to acknowledge your needs or concerns
- Makes a mistake during the intake process at a hospital
- Gives you the incorrect medication
- Provides inappropriate medical care
- Recommends unnecessary procedures
We can also help after:
- Anesthesia errors
- Surgical errors
- Emergency room errors
- Wrongful deaths stemming from medical inattention
If you believe the medical professionals responsible for your well-being violated their standard of care and put your health at risk, you can meet with our team to discuss how the legal process can help you get funds to cover your losses.
Our extensive experience can make it easier for you to explore all possible roads to recovery.
Types of Damages in a Medical Mistake Claim
We account for the economic and non-economic losses you’ve endured because of malpractice. Our team can track all of your losses. We may help you get the funds you need to pay for your:
- Your pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Lost wages or lost benefits
- Inability to return to work
- Emergency medical care
- Long-term medical treatments and the affiliated medical bills
- At-home assistance, including pain management aids and mobility aids
- Physical therapy and psychological therapy
If medical malpractice leads to a loved one’s wrongful death, you can turn to our team for compassionate support. A Washington, DC, wrongful death lawyer from our firm can help you build a claim that could bring you funds to cover a loved one’s:
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- Lost future earnings
- Lost services
We understand that taking legal action cannot bring back a loved one, but it may help you secure a sense of closure by holding the liable party accountable for their deadly actions.
Can You Get Punitive Damages?
Sometimes. You do not have the right to request punitive damages when first submitting a claim. You may only receive punitive damages based on what we discover about the doctor’s conduct when taking your personal injury claim to civil court. Punitive damages can only be awarded when there is evidence of intentional or reckless conduct – this is rare but possible.
It’s partly up to a judge to determine whether or not you have the right to benefit from punitive damages. These damages punish the medical institution liable for your losses and discourage similar instances of mistreatment in the future.
You can discuss whether or not you might benefit from punitive damages when you reach out to us for support.
When Should You Contact a Washington, DC, Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
You should reach out to a lawyer for help immediately if you suspect that you experienced medical malpractice. The sooner you get in touch with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer, the sooner you can keep insurance adjusters and liable parties at bay.
Medical institutions do not want to pay for your recovery after an instance of medical malpractice. Their insurance companies often go to extreme lengths to minimize your losses or write off your suffering. You don’t have to let insurance companies push you around like this.
Our team understands what you’re going through, and we’re fully prepared to assist with your legal concerns.
What Statute of Limitations Applies to Your Case?
If you want to file a civil claim against a medical institution or its practitioners, you need to do so before the personal injury statute of limitations expires. D.C. Code § 16-2702 requires you to finalize and file your paperwork within the first two years following an instance of medical malpractice.
However, your case’s statute of limitations may change based on when you first endured medical malpractice versus when you discovered the extent of that mistreatment. You can discuss how the logistics of your situation might impact your filing deadline when you meet with our team.
Should You Accept a Settlement Offer From a Liable Party?
You should not accept a settlement offer before you’ve discussed the deal with your lawyer. A first settlement offer may look appealing, but it can undervalue your losses while limiting your right to pursue legal action at a later date.
If you receive a settlement offer after suffering from medical malpractice, please contact us immediately. You can discuss your settlement offer with our team members before we return to the negotiating table.
Our team takes pride in protecting your right to legal action throughout this process. Our representation can keep insurance claims adjusters and liable medical institutions from twisting your words, misrepresenting the nature of your losses, and pressuring or intimidating you into writing your losses off.
Does Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim Lock You Into a Trial?
Filing a medical malpractice claim does not force you to go to court. Most medical malpractice lawsuits conclude with settlement negotiations.
These negotiations allow us to meet face-to-face with a liable party’s representatives. We can explain your losses and push back against subpar settlement offers during our talks.
Our experienced Washington, DC, medical malpractice attorneys can represent you throughout this process, focusing on your right to maximum compensation.
We Can Help if You Go to Trial
If a liable party won’t meet with you or refuses to acknowledge the severity of your losses, we can discuss other legal options. While filing a medical malpractice claim doesn’t obligate you to go to trial, it gives you the right to do so.
Our legal staff can prepare you for a civil trial if it looks like we need to take your case before a judge to argue for full compensation.
Let Our Team Go to Work for You
The doctors you work with should take care of you. They need to take your concerns about your health seriously, offer you treatments that address those concerns, and recommend materials, prescriptions, and medical devices that won’t do any additional harm to your health.
Medical professionals and institutions that do more harm than good must be held accountable for their actions. Fortunately, Kitchel Law is on your side. You have every right to contact our medical malpractice attorneys in Washington, DC, to discuss your legal options..
Your first consultation with our legal team comes free of charge. Don’t let medical institutions get away with their unchecked negligence. Book your initial meeting with us today.