Seeking Damages For Medical Malpractice
by Kenneth Pierce
Many patients trust that the healthcare professionals providing treatment will act in the patient's best interest. Despite the best efforts of a healthcare professional to provide careful and continuous care, mistakes can occur. These mistakes often lead to medical malpractice lawsuits.
If you have suffered injuries as a result of the negligent actions of a healthcare professional, it can be beneficial to determine what types of damages you can seek compensation for. Here are three types of damages to include in your medical malpractice lawsuit.
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages are considered the easiest to calculate, since they represent actual expenses that you have incurred or will incur in the future. Examples of economic damages can include your hospital bills, any prescription medications that you need to take as part of the recovery process, and any wages you missed out on earning as a result of your injuries.
You should be sure to consult with your attorney prior to asking for economic damages to ensure that you are including all of the expenses eligible for reimbursement in your claim.
2. Special Damages
In addition to the actual expenses associated with your injury, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for special items when you file a medical malpractice lawsuit as well. If a medical mistake has left you with a long-term disability, your ability to generate an income may be affected.
You can seek compensation for your lost earning potential by filing a medical malpractice case. Work with your attorney and a forensic accountant to ensure that you are accurately calculating the sum of your future earnings in order to maximize your payout should you win your lawsuit.
3. Punitive Damages
Some medical malpractice cases cold qualify for punitive damages. These damages are designed to act as a punishment of sorts for the medical professional at fault for your injuries.
In order to prove that you are entitled to receive punitive damages, you must be able to prove that your medical provider knowingly made decisions that resulted in less-than-acceptable care. Your attorney will be able to review the facts of your case with you to help you determine if seeking punitive damages would be beneficial.
Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can sometimes be the only way to gain access to the financial compensation you need to deal with a medical mistake. Knowing that you can ask your economic, special, and punitive damages will help you determine how much money to petition the court for when filing your lawsuit in the future. For assistance, talk to a professional like Seidner Rosenfeld & Guttentag LLP.
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About Me
As the sister of a law student, I thought that I could handle my own personal injury case when I was hit by a vehicle as I was walking across the street. Luckily, the car wasn't going very fast – but I did end up with a contusion and a broken leg. Turns out the process wasn't easy and I ended up hiring a lawyer. I learned a lot about the kind of information needed to win a personal injury case such as the kind of evidence that is effective and the types of documentation needed from the insurance company, employers, and even witnesses that were at the scene. My name is Rebecca, and I created this website to help guide you through your personal injury case. There is no reason for you to feel alone throughout the process, and I hope my insight helps you feel more empowered with your decision making.
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