Doctors and healthcare professionals are required to meet what is termed the “accepted standard of care.” When they fail to do so, a patient’s health, safety, and life are at risk. If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical malpractice, our medical malpractice lawyers in Tacoma can help.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice
Medical error and negligence can contribute to different types of medical malpractice, such as:
- Foreign objects: A surgeon might leave a foreign object, such as a sponge or instrument, in the patient’s body after a surgical operation.
- Inadequate pre- or post-care: Providing adequate care before and after treatment is key to successful medical care. That means thoroughly examining the patient, explaining the treatment, advising the risks, and following up to monitor recovery and check for complications.
- Anesthesia errors: An anesthesiologist might miscalculate the amount of anesthesia a patient needs and administer too much or not enough.
- Unsterilized medical tools: Mishandling medical instruments and equipment can lead to contamination. A patient can develop an infection from unsterilized tools.
- Failing to warn: Warning about the potential risks of recommended treatment plans is essential. A doctor can be liable for injuries if a patient doesn’t know about the dangers associated with the treatment.
- Surgical errors: Surgeons can make various errors during surgical procedures, such as operating on the wrong body part, performing unnecessary surgery, or damaging internal organs.
- Medication errors: Prescribing the wrong medication or wrong dosage can have adverse effects or can interact with another medication.
- Negligent hiring: Medical facilities must hire qualified healthcare professionals. However, some facilities skip background checks during staffing shortages, which can cause other issues.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: Misdiagnosing a medical issue or failing to diagnose a serious disease will lead to a worsening condition or loss of life.
- Birth injuries: When a medical professional fails to act with the accepted standard of care during a birth, the baby can suffer severe or fatal injuries.
Medical Malpractice Laws in Tacoma
Healthcare providers must adhere to the accepted standard of care covered in the Revised Code of Washington 7.70.040. If medical negligence causes harm to a patient, the provider can be held liable. Healthcare providers can also be liable for harming a patient if the medical treatment decisions are made by someone working for a medical office, clinic, hospital, or other facility, including but not limited to the following types of healthcare workers:
- Nurses
- Support medical staff
- Anesthesiologists
- Dentists
- General practitioners
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Surgeons
- Pharmacists
- Hospitals
- Medical clinics
Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice
In Washington, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice sets a three-year deadline from the injury date to file a lawsuit. You might not discover your injury until after that statutory period expires. If such a case occurs, you have a one-year timeframe from discovering the health condition to file a lawsuit.
Maximizing Your Compensation
Insurance companies are profit-focused, not humanitarian organizations. They seek to pay out as little as possible. Medical providers can often be tight-lipped, supporting their team. The legal team at Park Chenaur Injury Lawyers has some of the state’s most talented negotiators and litigators. These cases require extensive supporting evidence and the testimony of medical experts to be successful. For a highly-rated, compassionate medical malpractice attorney in Tacoma, we urge you to contact our firm immediately if you suspect medical malpractice.
