Chicago Medical Negligence Attorneys

Many Forms of Medical Negligence

Given that medical negligence can occur in any medical setting, not just hospitals and doctor’s offices, it can take many different forms and be caused by many different issues. You do not need to spend any more time searching for a law firm that can take your case, even if it is highly complicated or deals with very rare medical mistakes, though. At Hilliard Law, our team can handle virtually any type of medical negligence case. If for whatever reason we are unable to take your case, thanks to our reputation, we can likely refer your case to another law firm that we trust, just as many of our cases start through referrals, too.

We often work on medical negligence cases that involve:

• Drug recalls and medical devices: Pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers are technically part of the medical industry due to the nature and purpose of their products. They are also two of the largest contributors to harm caused by medical negligence. If a drug or medical device puts patients at risk of undisclosed complications or side effects, it might be grounds to file a claim or class action lawsuit against the medical product manufacturer. Our Chicago medical negligence lawyers can also handle cases involving injuries caused by a medical provider who failed to respond appropriately to a drug or medical device recall, putting patients at unfair risk of complications by using a medical product that is known to be unsafe.
• Medical malpractice: Almost a catch-all term, medical malpractice occurs when a medical provider hurts a patient by failing to meet acceptable standards of medical care when another medical provider in the same situation reasonably would have. The defendants in medical malpractice cases can be individual doctors, medical centers, entire healthcare groups, and so on, so it is important to hire reliable legal counsel before starting any such case.
• Nursing home abuse: Seniors living in nursing homes depend on medical treatments and day-to-day care from staff. If substandard care is delivered and an act of neglect or abuse occurs, it is a form of medical negligence that should be met with a lawsuit immediately. Nursing homes accused of neglecting or abusing elderly residents usually only respond when a lawsuit threatens their finances, which is why it is so important to explore your legal options right away if you think your elderly loved one has been abused in a nursing home.

Harm Caused by Medical Negligence

A single incident of medical negligence can have devastating effects on the well-being of patients, leading to various types of harm that can disrupt their lives in significant ways. Our Chicago medical negligence lawyers can work with medical experts to uncover the full extent of the harm that you have suffered due to the mistakes of another medical provider, healthcare group, or medical device or drug manufacturer. The information we discover will be crucial when determining the fair value of your injury claim.

Medical negligence can cause distinct forms of harm and loss, including:

• Physical harm: Mistakes like surgical errors, misdiagnoses, or incorrect medication can cause long-term injuries, chronic pain, or even life-threatening complications. For instance, a misdiagnosis might delay treatment for cancer, worsening the condition.
• Emotional harm: Experiencing medical negligence can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma, especially if trust in healthcare providers is broken. For example, a patient might feel devastated and fearful after a botched surgery that requires further intervention.
• Financial harm: Patients may face significant medical bills for corrective treatments, lost income due to an inability to work, or long-term care expenses. A case like prolonged hospitalization after a surgical error can quickly lead to overwhelming debt, too.