Medical malpractice can have serious, life-altering consequences for patients. If you believe you’ve been harmed due to a medical professional’s mistake or negligence in Illinois, you may have the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation. But what exactly qualifies as medical negligence? Let’s take a closer look at common types of medical malpractice and real-world examples of its impact.
Understanding Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional provides treatment that differs from what most other qualified professionals in the same field would have done under similar circumstances, resulting in harm to the patient.
Common types of medical malpractice include:
- Misdiagnoses, failure to diagnose, and delayed diagnoses
- Birth injuries
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Medication errors
These types of negligence can leave victims struggling with serious injuries and overwhelming medical expenses. They may be left unable to work, enjoy activities they once used to, or maintain relationships, leading to further financial and psychological effects.
Fortunately, victims have legal options, including the ability to file a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit. By doing so, they may be able to recover compensation for the damages they have suffered and help improve the quality of care for others.
Real Stories of Victims and Outcomes
At Power Rogers, our team has handled numerous medical malpractice cases over the years, helping clients recover some of the largest settlements and verdicts in Illinois history. Here are a few stories about real victims we’ve helped.
Prolonged Labor Resulting in Oxygen Deprivation
In one notable birth injury case our attorneys handled, medical professionals failed to act when fetal vital signs began to show the baby was in distress, continuing labor for another two-and-a-half hours. The delay resulted in the baby suffering brain damage, which led to the development of spastic quadriplegia, seizures, and cerebral palsy. The plaintiffs and their expert witnesses stated that had the baby been born when the first signs of distress were noted, none of these injuries would have occurred.
Our team was able to recover $35 million for the family. This sum is expected to allow them to offer their child the necessary care they will need for the rest of their life.
Improper Intubation Causing Brain Damage
In another devastating example of medical malpractice, a 54-year-old woman was intubated incorrectly during a bronchoscopy procedure and biopsy to test for tuberculosis. This negligence caused her to suffer oxygen deprivation, leading to brain damage. Because the settlement offers were too low for what the plaintiff and her husband suffered, we took this case to trial.
The victim and her husband received $55.4 million, one of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in the history of Illinois. This sum included $15 million for loss of consortium damages, the largest award in Illinois history for that type of damage.
Failure to Diagnose Leading to Catastrophic Neurological Injury
In a tragic case involving a 12-year-old patient, multiple medical professionals at a local community hospital failed to spot abscesses in the patient’s neck despite performing a CT scan and failed to provide appropriate treatment for the related infection. Consequently, the patient suffered catastrophic and irreversible neurological injuries.
Our team helped the victim’s family recover $40 million in damages, one of the largest settlements for a brain-injured minor in the history of Illinois.
What to Do if You Think You Are a Victim of Medical Malpractice
If you believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice, you can start by taking a few important steps. First, seek treatment from another medical provider whom you trust in order to prevent further injury. Follow any care instructions that your new provider recommends. You’ll be protecting your health and your claim at the same time since the treatments will show the extent of the injuries you suffered.
Second, gather your medical records from the provider who treated you, and make note of any discrepancies between these records and what they told you. Also, begin documenting your experience after the incident. Consider keeping a journal with daily updates on your physical distress, emotional strain, and the losses you’re experiencing.
Finally, make sure to contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. Although you may think you have a long time to file the claim, you don’t want to risk missing the statute of limitations and being barred from receiving compensation.
Justice for Medical Malpractice Victims Starts With Power Rogers
If you’ve been a victim of medical negligence and you’re wondering when to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, the answer is as soon as possible. With experienced representation by your side, you can focus on healing while your attorneys handle the complexities of your case.
At Power Rogers, we can provide the guidance that you need through this difficult time. We typically begin with a medical malpractice case review so that we can understand your unique circumstances and provide you with guidance on next steps. Our years of experience and our dedication to our clients make us trusted legal counsel who can handle even the toughest of cases. Contact our team to schedule a free consultation today.
