Medical professionals go through years of education and on-the-job training before they receive a license to practice medicine. It is reasonable to expect that you will receive diligent and compassionate care when you go to your general practitioner, see a specialist, or check into a hospital. Unfortunately, not every healthcare provider fulfills the standard of care at all times, and that kind of negligence can have devastating repercussions.
If you suffered harm because of a mistake by a medical professional, you should talk to an Altus medical malpractice lawyer sooner rather than later. Once retained, your experienced personal injury attorney could go over your legal options with you, help collect evidence of actionable negligence, and ensure your claim meets all the requirements set by state law.
Recoverable Damages Through a Malpractice Claim
If a court determines that a healthcare provider or institution violated the standard of care that would have applied to other medical professionals under the same circumstances, you may be able to financially recover for every form of harm that you can trace directly back to breach of duty. Damages do not have to be objective in terms of financial value in order to be compensated through a settlement or court verdict.
For example, if a doctor misdiagnoses an injury that worsens over time, leading to you suffering additional physical pain and needing expensive surgery to correct the issue, you might be able to recover for the medical expenses, as well as the non-economic “pain and suffering” that you experienced. A Southwest Oklahoma medical malpractice attorney could clarify what damages may be recoverable in a particular case during a free consultation.
Do I Need an Affidavit to File a Malpractice Case?
Oklahoma no longer requires a plaintiff to include an affidavit of merit when filing a lawsuit for medical negligence. Prior to 2017, state law required the plaintiff to consult with an expert witness who practiced in the same field as the defendant(s) and affirm their opinion that the plaintiff has good cause to file suit. The purpose of this law was to ensure that only legitimate claims proceeded against medical professionals. However, the State Supreme Court has ruled that this provision was an unconstitutional restriction on an injured person’s right to seek justice. As a result, you no longer need to file this affidavit in order to proceed with your case. Even without this barrier, it is wise to speak with an Altus medical negligence lawyer about any other requirements that you must meet and about your chances for success.
Speak with an Altus Medical Malpractice Attorney About Your Case
Far too many patients have learned over the years that doctors, nurses, and medical technicians do not always provide the degree of care that they should to everyone who requires their services. Fortunately, you have important legal rights in the event you suffer harm due to a medical professional’s mistake. One of our legal professionals could help you enforce those rights, no matter where in Oklahoma you live.
Assistance from an Altus medical malpractice lawyer could be key to boosting your chances of getting the financial recovery you deserve for your losses. You do not pay us until we win, so schedule your initial meeting by calling us today.