Washington, DC Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical professionals must comply with the standard of care in their field. Unfortunately, some doctors allow their negligence to cause serious and sometimes permanent harm to their patients, who, in turn have to brave the difficult process of filing a lawsuit over their injuries.

Many special regulations and restrictions apply to lawsuits based on medical negligence in the District of Columbia, and a qualified personal injury attorney’s assistance can be essential in navigating your claim. With a seasoned Washington, DC medical malpractice lawyer on your side, you will maximize your chance of holding the negligent doctor accountable for the damages and receiving the compensation you deserve.

Common Examples of Medical Malpractice

There are many ways that healthcare providers can injure a patient through negligence. Common examples of medical malpractice include:

• Misdiagnosing a condition or diagnosing it too late
• Errors during surgical procedures
• Issuing incorrect prescriptions
• Errors in anesthesia administration
• Causing injuries during childbirth
• Failing to monitor at-risk patients adequately

An experienced attorney in Washington, DC, can help determine the type of medical malpractice that applies in your given case and manage the correct civil claims procedure. 

Basic Rules for Filing Suit over Medical Malpractice in DC

In many states, the injured party that intends to file a medical malpractice claim must submit a “certificate of merit.” This is a document written and signed by a qualified expert that affirms that the injured person has valid grounds to file their medical malpractice suit. However, in DC malpractice suits don’t require a certificate of merit. Instead, they only have to provide advance notice of their intent to sue any prospective defendants in their claim.

More specifically, DC Code §16-2802 requires prospective medical malpractice plaintiffs to notify their intended defendants in writing of their planned lawsuit no less than 90 days before filing. Plaintiffs must also inform the defendants in that same notice of what injuries they have sustained and what legal basis they have for filing suit.

Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims

According to DC Code §12-301, medical negligence plaintiffs need to file their claim within three years of becoming aware they were injured and collecting some evidence of a healthcare provider’s negligence. A Washington, DC medical malpractice attorney could go into more detail about this deadline and possible exceptions to it during a confidential consultation.

Recovering Compensation for Injuries Caused by Malpractice

A lawsuit or settlement against a negligent healthcare provider can demand compensation for past, current, and future losses, including:

• Medical expenses from procedures needed to correct the injuries
• Lost work income or ability to work
• Physical pain and discomfort
• Psychological and emotional anguish
• Lost enjoyment of life
• The cost of home modifications, assistive equipment, and other expenses made necessary by long-term disability

Notably, the District of Columbia imposes no limits on the maximum compensation that a malpractice plaintiff can demand for their non-economic losses. An experienced lawyer in Washington, DC understands the freedom this statute offers and could help a medical malpractice plaintiff seek compensation for the full extent of their losses. 

Discuss Your Legal Options With a Washington, DC Medical Malpractice Attorney

Medical negligence is a very serious matter that affects far too many District residents every year. When a negligent healthcare provider harms you, the quality of legal counsel you retain has a massive impact on your quality of life.

A conversation with a Washington, DC medical malpractice lawyer can clarify your rights and legal routes to take. Call Price Benowitz Accident Injury Layers today to get a free case evaluation.