Penalizing Medical Malpractice

At the heart of any medical malpractice is the failure to maintain a standard of care. This failure to maintain best medical practices negatively impacts the health of the patient, resulting in a life-threatening condition or a fatality. Especially tragic are disabilities brought about by avoidable birth injuries that create a lifetime of need.

When you are confronted by a situation where your health care provider failed in their duty of care that they owed to you and received improper treatment, then you need to speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney at Hofeld and Schaffner. Our office has been helping clients with long-term injuries or complications due to medical treatment for decades, and we have developed our skills and knowledge to be able to handle even the most complex medical malpractice cases.

Complex Cases Require A Leading Firm

The complicated nature of most medical malpractice cases necessitates using a legal firm with extensive personal injury litigation experience and skilled lawyers. At Hofeld and Schaffner, we have decades of experience pursuing compensation for victims of malpractice and their loved ones. Our team of skilled attorneys have decades of experience in getting fair compensation for our clients who received permanent injuries that reduced their quality of life due to a medical mistake by their doctor or nurse.

There are several areas of medical malpractice which include:

• Physician error or negligence – in diagnosis, treatment plans or surgical care procedures
• Employer responsibility – the medical facility that employs the doctors, nurses or medical professionals that treated you can also be held responsible for employing negligent or unqualified personnel
• Product liability – examples of products involved include pharmaceuticals and medical devices
• Lack of informed consent – failing to disclose the risks of treatment, its benefits and/or its alternatives; any procedure requires a signed release

No matter how medical negligence occurs, it can have serious and life altering impacts on you, reducing your ability to live your life as you previously did because of a mistake in your medical care. Most devastating is when such a mistake leads to the loss of a loved one, in which case you must then consider a wrongful death lawsuit to pay for the bills for their medical treatment.

A Strong Reputation Of Litigation Success

Our success at litigating malpractice cases is driven by the desire to make things right for our clients. There are time limits to pursue a medical malpractice claim, so one should not delay pursuing a claim. In Illinois, there is a two-year time limit, but there may be many exceptions to this. If a minor is involved, the time limit will be longer. In order to be certain you do not lose your right to recovery, you should seek a consultation with our experienced lawyers as soon as possible. Our mission is to help you get the fair compensation that you need to pay your bills and reduce the impact of your injury on your ability to live a normal life.

Getting Answers After Suffering From Medical Malpractice

When a medical professional breaches their duty of care for you and causes you undue harm in the process, you deserve answers about what comes next and the resulting medical malpractice claim. At Hofeld and Schaffner, we take pride in providing the Chicago community with the guidance and representation they need after being hurt in such a vulnerable position. As we help you build a case to maximize the compensation you deserve in your claim, we can also help answer critical questions such as:

How long do you have to file a medical malpractice claim in Chicago?

An adult victim of medical malpractice generally has two years from the date they learn of their injury and that it may have been wrongfully caused to file a lawsuit. The time frame for a minor is generally longer. There can be many exceptions and nuances to the time limit laws (statutes of limitations) so it is important to seek counsel from an experienced medical malpractice attorney immediately to make sure you do not miss this important filing deadline.

If you miss the deadline, you will not be allowed to proceed with your lawsuit and no compensation can be obtained. Additionally, the longer you wait to investigate your claim, the longer it will take for you to receive the compensation you deserve to help you cover the costs of your injuries and recovery.

Who can be held liable in a medical malpractice claim?

Any number of people could be liable for your injuries, not just the doctor who treated you. Any healthcare provider involved in your care, depending on the details of your injuries, including nurses, therapists, pharmacists, for example, may share responsibility. We can review your case to determine who is ultimately liable for your injuries.

What should you do if you believe you are a victim of medical negligence in Chicago?

If you suspect that you have experienced medical malpractice, the following actions you take can define the quality of the outcome of your malpractice claim. First and foremost, reach out to us so that your claim can be appropriately investigated.

Next, do not reach out to your doctor or health care provider about the incident, as it is not in their interest to confirm that negligence occurred. Do not make a “formal complaint,” orally or in writing, about the care you received; it only allows the potential defendants to get a head start on their defense. Finally, refrain from discussing your claim with anyone other than your lawyer.

How long do most Illinois medical malpractice cases take?

Every claim is unique, and so is the time it takes to resolve them. Medical negligence claims are highly complex and you only have one opportunity to do it correctly. We will work through your case thoroughly, deliberately, and, most importantly, effectively to obtain full and complete compensation. Medical negligence cases take longer than, say, an auto accident case.

Medical negligence lawsuits take 36 months to 48 months, on average, from the date of filing to trial. Most do not go to trial but resolve before that time. That being said, you will be fully informed as the case proceeds through the system and we will move expeditiously to bring your case to a successful conclusion.

Give Us A Call

If you suffered from medical malpractice, allow our malpractice lawyers to offer you the information and guidance you deserve after your accident. Learn how the firm of Hofeld and Schaffner can help you. Call us today at 312-702-1918 or fill out this online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your situation. Se habla español.