Errors made by medical professionals end up causing harm, and an apology is simply not enough. Hospitals, doctors, and other medical workers and institutions are unlikely to even admit to making a mistake because to do so would be an admission of negligence. The truth is, doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, surgeons, and other professionals make life-threatening mistakes more often than you probably realize. When they do, the lives of patients and their loved ones can change in an instant.
When medical professionals aren’t held responsible for their errors, future patients are also at risk. The Tampa medical malpractice lawyers at Freidin Brown, P.A. have been shedding light on these tragic errors for more than 45 years, enabling our clients to recover significant compensation in medical, pain and suffering, loss of joy of life, and other damages. Call us today for a free consultation, where we can discuss how our personal injury lawyers can help you.
The Value of the Average Medical Malpractice Claim in Tampa, FL
Proving liability in medical malpractice cases can be difficult, and calculating the value of a claim can also be complicated. When negotiating for your settlement or award, our Tampa malpractice attorneys will take your current and future damages into account to make sure you are covered for your malpractice injury-related costs, now and in the future.
Because these cases have so many variables, there is no average settlement amount. Although your claim may have a very different outcome, these are some of the results our medical malpractice lawyers have secured for some of our clients in malpractice claims in Florida:
- $38 million verdict for twin boys who were left blind due to a doctor’s mistake.
- $12.7 million verdict after a five-year-old child sustained a brain injury due to negligent medical care.
- $9.75 million settlement for a mother who suffered an ischemic stroke after a cesarean delivery.
- $5.5 million settlement against a hospital and doctors after a pregnant patient was permanently harmed by an emergency room mistake.
- $2.2 million verdict on behalf of a patient who was not accurately diagnosed or hospitalized after a doctor failed to listen.
- $2 million verdict for the parents of a 12-year-old child who passed away as a result of emergency room negligence.
There is no sure way of knowing how much your medical malpractice case may be worth, but our malpractice attorneys aim to get our clients the maximum compensation possible. You deserve this money for all of the physical, financial, and emotional harm inflicted on you by negligent medical professionals.
Types of Medical Malpractice Claims Our Tampa Lawyers Handle
Our medical malpractice attorneys serving Tampa handle a wide range of different types of claims. These are some of the medical mistakes we can help you get compensation for:
- Anesthesia Error
- Birth Injury
- Cancer Malpractice
- Doctor Error
- Failure to Diagnose Cancer
- Failure to Diagnose Stroke
- Fetal Heartbeat Malpractice
- Heart Attack Malpractice
- Hospital Error
- Medication Error
- Misdiagnosis
- Nursing Error
- Preventable Suicide
- Surgical Error
Let us help you like we have helped other families with a variety of medical malpractice claims across Florida.
Are There Any Time Limits for Tampa Medical Malpractice Cases?
Yes, Florida laws limit how long victims of medical malpractice can file a lawsuit. Florida Statutes § 95.11 (4)(c) generally gives victims two years to take legal action. This time starts on the date of the negligent action, or the day you discovered the harm, as per the statute.
You may have longer, depending on the circumstances of your case, but our medical malpractice attorneys can inform you of how long we have to act. We encourage you to call as soon as you can to avoid missing this deadline.
Victim of Medical Malpractice in Tampa? Let Us Fight for You!
Who Is Liable in a Medical Malpractice Case in Tampa?
When medical malpractice takes place, there may be one or more responsible parties you can hold liable in a legal claim in Florida. As part of the process of investigating your case, our medical malpractice lawyers will identify all potentially liable parties. Depending on the specific circumstances, this could include:
- Doctors
- Surgeons
- Nurses
- Hospitals
- Surgery centers
- Additional medical facilities, such as labs
- Health maintenance organizations
Your Tampa medical malpractice lawyer can file a claim against all of the parties who are liable in your claim so you can get compensation from anyone who had a part in the negligence that led to your injury. Call us to get started now.
What Damages Can Tampa Victims Claim in a Medical Malpractice Case?
A medical malpractice claim is a legal demand for compensation. The other party has the right to either refuse the claim outright or to negotiate a smaller amount.
Most medical malpractice claims are settled out of court between the two parties. Even if a medical malpractice lawsuit is filed, there is still time for the two parties to negotiate a settlement and keep the matter out of the courtroom.
But if you are not satisfied with the other party’s highest offer, our lawyers are prepared to try the case in court before a judge and jury. As a victim of medical malpractice, you are able to seek the following damages in a claim or lawsuit:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of joy in life
- Emotional distress
We can also seek additional damages if you are filing a wrongful death case after your loved one passes away due to medical negligence. Although we know that no amount of money will ever make up for this tragedy, we will make sure your family’s losses are appropriately compensated and acknowledged.
How Do Medical Malpractice Lawyers Prove Negligence?
When fighting for your medical malpractice claim, a Tampa medical malpractice lawyer will need to establish:
- The defendant’s legal duty of care
- That a breach of that duty occurred
- That you suffered an injury
- And that the breach of duty of care caused your injury
When it comes to duty of care, healthcare providers must abide by a “standard of care.” This standard of care refers to the level of medical care a reasonably competent provider would provide for a certain illness or injury in their region.
This means that two different doctors should essentially give the same type of medical service to their respective patients if those patients have similar injuries and are of the same age and health.
Who Can Sue for Medical Malpractice in Tampa?
In Florida, the individual who was injured and certain family members can file a malpractice claim. However, if a child dies as a result of malpractice, the parents can only file a lawsuit if their child was under the age of 25.
According to Florida Statute 768.21(8), if your loved one passed away due to medical malpractice, if they were 25 or older at the time of death, only their spouse or their children who are under the age of 25 can collect damages for pain and suffering.
This statute was originally passed to protect doctors, but at what risk to patients? Laws like these are one of many reasons it’s important to consult with a medical malpractice attorney if you’re thinking about filing a claim. We can tell you if you have a valid claim and who is eligible to file it.
Call a Tampa Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
Whether you or a loved one were the victim of medical incompetence, the Tampa medical malpractice lawyers at Freidin Brown, P.A. are here to help. We have been fighting for the rights of our clients for more than 45 years. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.