Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Columbia

Those who work in the medical profession are held to a much higher standard than almost any other class of professionals because of how great an impact a mistake can have on the lives of their patients. In fact, when medical professionals fail to uphold the standards of their field, it can easily cause a patient to suffer further harm or even result in their untimely death. Proceeding with a medical malpractice claim can be very complex and overwhelming due in large part to the power of the parties with whom you must deal. That’s why the experienced Columbia injury lawyers of Goings Law Firm, LLC are here to help. Call us today at (803) 350-9230 to schedule a free consultation.

At the Goings Law Firm, LLC, we know that many people in Columbia find themselves suffering from the consequences of medical malpractice, whether they, themselves, are the victim or a loved one is. Medical malpractice can have devastating consequences for its victims, and substantial compensation may be necessary in order to help individuals in this position get their lives back together. Fortunately, medical malpractice law often allows victims in these situations to get both the justice and financial assistance they need to deal with the consequences of a medical professional’s negligence.

Over the years, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and you can trust that we won’t stop fighting until you get the compensation you deserve. At Goings Law Firm, LLC, our Columbia medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to the values of fairness, honesty, hard work, dedication, justice, and service to others. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, contact Goings Law Firm, LLC today by calling us at (803) 350-9230, filling out a contact form, or starting an online chat now.

Medical Malpractice

Alarmingly, medical error has been the third-leading cause of death in the United States for many years, behind only cancer and heart disease. Some frightening statistics regarding medical errors include the following:

• An estimated 10% of deaths each year are due to medical errors. This means that over 250,000 deaths each year can be contributed to medical malpractice.
• Since 1992, the number of catastrophic claims has risen.
• The most common type of claim was for an error in diagnostics, followed by errors related to surgery and errors in treatment or medication.

Unfortunately, a medical error can occur quite frequently and under a variety of circumstances. Often these errors have devastating consequences for the victim and their family. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical error, contact Goings Law Firm, LLC at (803) 350-9230 to discuss if you have a medical malpractice claim.

Types of Medical Malpractice Claims

There are many different ways in which a doctor’s errors can negatively impact the lives of patients. Some of the most common, however, include:

• Wrong Diagnosis: A wrong diagnosis can lead to a patient being treated for the wrong ailment, thereby creating new health issues and potentially allowing the initial illness to be made worse. In the worst cases, misdiagnosis may lead to death.
• Delayed Treatment: When there is a delay in treatment, an illness can spread or worsen, causing greater harm to the patient.
• Improper Treatment: Improper treatment occurs when a health care provider has correctly identified the patient’s illness or issue but follows a course of treatment that does not follow the standard of care for patients suffering from that ailment.
• Lack of Informed Consent: In order for any tests or procedures to be done, a patient must give informed consent. This means that the patient is told, in proper detail, the benefits and risks of the tests or procedures. The patient must be told enough information to satisfy what any patient would reasonably want to know before consenting.
• Surgical Errors: In order for a surgical error to be considered malpractice, the surgeon must have deviated from the standard of care, and the error must have caused damage or harmed the patient.
• Emergency Room Errors: When a medical provider commits an error in the emergency room, they are generally granted a little more leeway because of the hectic nature of the environment. This does not mean that they cannot be held liable for their error if it is shown that the error was outside of the standard of care and that the error harmed or injured the patient.
• Pharmaceutical Errors: There are multiple errors that fall under this category, and a medical provider may be held liable for medical malpractice if the error causes the patient harm or injuries:
  • Administration of the wrong medication
  • Administration of the wrong dose of medication
  • Mislabeling the medication
  • Prescribing a medication to which the patient is allergic
  • Falling to warn the patient of the side effects of the medication
  • Prescribing medication that reacts badly with other medications the patient is taking
• Wrongful Death: If a patient dies as a result of medical error, the patient’s estate may hold the responsible medical provider by suing under any theories of law that would have been available to the patient had they not died.
• Hospital Negligence: Some of the most common ways for a hospital to be responsible for medical malpractice are:
  • If its employed doctors, nurses, or other medical staff were negligent
  • If the hospital was negligent in hiring and supervising employees
  • If the hospital failed to maintain and repair equipment
  • If the hospital was negligent in managing care at its facility
• Failure to Treat When Necessary: Regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, certain medical providers must perform certain procedures. Failure to perform a necessary procedure that results in harm to the patient can amount to medical malpractice.

When you or a loved one suffers from these types and consequences of medical malpractice, filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is likely the only way to get the closure and financial compensation you need.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

When a victim has suffered due to medical error, they are essentially claiming that the medical provider acted negligently by deviating from the recognized standard of care for similarly situated patients. The recognized standard of care refers to how a reasonably prudent medical provider would have treated a similarly situated patient.

In order to successfully prove a medical malpractice claim, the party bringing the action must show that the other party had a duty to prevent foreseeable harm and that they failed in their duty, thereby causing damages. Healthcare providers have a duty to their patients not to cause harm.

South Carolina, like many other states, has a limit on the amount of compensation the victim of medical malpractice can collect. However, in South Carolina, a victim may also be entitled to punitive damages if the court finds that the healthcare provider acted intentionally or maliciously to cause harm.

Since medical malpractice claims are complex and the defendant health care provider will undoubtedly have ample legal representation, you will need help. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, contact the medical malpractice lawyers at Goings Law Firm, LLC to learn more about your legal options.

Get Help from a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Columbia

If you have been injured as a result of medical malpractice, you don’t have to deal with the consequences alone. The Goings Law Firm, LLC team is ready to listen to you, investigate your claim, and help you hold the negligent parties accountable for what happened to you. Schedule a free, 100% confidential consultation with our team today by calling us at (803) 350-9230, chatting with us live on our website, or filling out a contact form.