Los Angeles Medical Malpractice Lawyer
In times of vulnerability, we put our full trust in our medical professionals. But when the negligence of your nurse or doctor leads to physical, financial, and emotional consequences, who do you turn to?
If you have become victim of medical errors, malpractice laws exist to protect your rights to claim compensation from the injuries you have sustained. However, medical malpractice cases are generally complex, and you need an experienced team to help you navigate the process.
Haffner Law is well positioned to fight for you in a medical malpractice case. Through personal attention, extensive legal experience, and aggressive representation, we help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve.
When Does Medical Malpractice Occur?
Medical malpractice occurs as a result of a negligent act or omission by a health care provider: a doctor, nurse, therapist, hospital, or other individual or entity licensed to provide medical care.
Negligence may include diagnostic or treatment errors, mistakes in illness management, and a breach of doctor-patient confidentiality that may have resulted in a patient’s injury, physical or mental impairment, or death.
You may be a victim of negligence by a healthcare provider if you have encountered any of the following:
- Hospital Negligence
- Misdiagnosis of Failure to Diagnose
- Emergency Room or Surgery Errors
- Nursing Errors
- Medication Errors and Pharmacy Misfills
- Defective Medical Devices
- Elder Malpractice
- Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
- Unprofessional Conduct
The negligent claims in a medical malpractice case are not limited to the examples stated above. If you think you have been on the receiving end of services that are “below the expected standard of care,” speak with one of our experienced attorneys the soonest you can.
Medical Malpractice Cases are Especially Complex
As noted earlier, medical malpractice cases involve various legal complexities. In fact, such lawsuits are some of the hardest to navigate through the court system. To recover compensation, the plaintiff must be able to prove that:
- The doctor-patient relationship between the plaintiff and the defendant exists. Medical records can be used to prove this;
- The defendant was negligent due to their failure to provide the same level of care that another doctor (to put it plainly, a competent doctor), would have provided in such situation; and
- The doctor’s negligence directly caused the patient’s injuries.
The challenge in medical malpractice lawsuits is the necessity to prove the three elements by “a preponderance of evidence.” Meaning, the jury is convinced that the facts you presented, more likely than not, are true.
Other factors that make it difficult to prove medical malpractice include:
Complex Evidence. The complex nature of the evidence is one of the primary reasons that make medical malpractice lawsuits distinctly difficult. As the evidence presented is incredibly complex, victims without a medical background may have a hard time presenting theirs. It’s also possible that the jury may misinterpret some of the evidence, and as a result of misunderstanding, support the defendant.
Proving the Direct Link Between the Injuries and Negligence. The plaintiff must be able to prove that the injuries they sustained were caused solely by the defendant’s negligence. Most likely, the defense will present other factors (such as the victim’s lifestyle or genetics) that may have contributed to the condition. This argument can make it challenging to create a link between the plaintiff’s injuries and the doctor’s negligence.<?p>
Medical Malpractice Cases Require Expert Testimony
Medical malpractice lawsuits require expert testimony from other doctors to prove liability and damages. Attorneys also often rely on expert witnesses to simplify the evidence in a way that is clear and understandable to the jurors. But, it can be difficult to find an expert witness who will be willing to testify against a fellow healthcare provider.
Haffner Law can help you find doctors who are willing to speak out against malpractice. A credible witness can successfully show, on your behalf, how the defendant was unable to meet the standard of care in your case.
Have You Experienced Rejection from Other Lawyers?
The expenses associated with a medical malpractice case are much higher than those incurred in other types of cases. Usually, attorneys pay for the expenses that arise in the course of winning the case. When the case is won, they ask their clients for a reimbursement using the compensation the plaintiff has been awarded. This is part of the reason many lawyers in California refuse to handle medical malpractice cases.
The state laws dictate that an attorney’s fee for services may not exceed certain amounts. The caps on recoveries, non-economic damages, and attorney fees also mean that lawyers who want to represent clients involved in medical malpractice will face laws that limit the recovery of compensation. For example:
- There is a cap for the recovery for pain and suffering damages, regardless of the severity of the injury or whether the patient experiences debilitating pain daily.
- There are limits on the contingency fees, but there are no limits on the fees defense lawyers may charge.
- Forced arbitration occurs in many cases, which denies the right to a jury.
- The economic benefit of any jury verdict is reduced if it goes beyond $50,000.
Haffner Law’s focus is to win your case. We have the resources to cover the expenses and access technology and other tools that help build the strongest case possible for you.
We Will Fight for You
Haffner Law has your back. Our Los Angeles-based firm is home to medical malpractice lawyers who have not only the knowledge, but also the resources to fully represent you in court.
Our team has acquired more than two decades of experience holding healthcare institutions and medical professionals liable for their negligence. We work tirelessly to prove that your healthcare provider’s negligence exclusively has caused the injuries you sustained.
The Haffner Law team understands how the injury you suffered as a result of medical negligence can severely affect your life. To alleviate unnecessary stress, we keep you informed of the status of your case. In a complicated and confusing case such as medical malpractice, your attorney will guide you and make the process of seeking recovery as painless as possible.
Partner with a Los Angeles Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of a health care provider, contact Haffner Law as soon as possible to discuss your case. You will need an experienced attorney by your side to guide you through the complex process of finding credible witnesses and building a strong case.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our medical malpractice lawyers, give our office a call at 1-844-HAFFNER (423-3637). You may also get in touch with us online by completing our contact form.
