Pittsburgh’s Medical Malpractice Lawyers

According to medical errors are the third-leading cause of death following heart disease and cancer. In the United States, more than 250,000 people die every year from medical negligence, and thousands more are severely injured.

Malpractice occurs when anytime a health care provider violates the standard of care, and that violation leading to an injury or death a poor health outcome. Anyone who provides health care or medical care, from doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to large hospital systems, can be held responsible for found guilty of medical malpractice or medical negligence.  In certain cases, hospitals may be held responsible as well.

Medical malpractice claims are some of the most complicated and difficult legal cases to win. If you believe you are a victim of medical malpractice, you need an experienced malpractice lawyer on your side from the moment you are harmed—or as soon as possible.

TYPES OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

The experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Hal Waldman & Associates handle all types of malpractice cases in Pittsburgh and throughout the state of Pennsylvania, including:

No matter what type of medical malpractice you’ve experienced, our attorneys will be right by your side. We’ll guide you through every step of the process, answer all of your medical malpractice questions, and fight for your right to fair compensation.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE FAQs

If you believe you are a victim of medical malpractice, you are likely worried about medical bills, and have questions about how to build a case. Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions about medical malpractice.

Surgeons cannot guarantee the exact results or outcomes of specific surgeries. If you’re unhappy with how your surgery turned out, you are not necessarily entitled to compensation. However, if your unhappiness stems from damages that arose from medical negligence, you might have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

Medical malpractice claims are complicated and based on details, specifics, and individual circumstances. It is in your best interest to contact a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. We can help you determine if you have a medical malpractice claim and how to move forward.

Your doctor will usually talk with you about the possible risks and side effects before you undergo a surgical procedure, and provide you with a packet of paperwork with more detailed information. This is known as informed consent. Informed consent means your provider highlighted the risks, benefits, and side effects associated with your procedure. By signing off, you authorized your provider to perform the procedure within the standard of care.

Even if you signed an informed consent packet, you are not barred from recovering damages. Informed consent does not release a provider from medical negligence, so you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries if you can establish that your harm was directly related to a deviation from the standard of care.

If you think you are a victim of medical malpractice, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Your right to make a medical malpractice claim has a strict statute of limitations. After that time has passed, you’ll lose your right to compensation.

At Hal Waldman & Associates, our experienced medical malpractice attorneys will use your medical records and consult with expert witnesses witness testimony to determine if medical negligence occurred, and if so, and what kind.

We work on a contingency-fee basis. That means you’ll only pay us for our legal services if you win a settlement or jury verdict. Our process is risk-free, so if you think you have a claim schedule a free consultation as soon as possible.

In Pennsylvania, all medical malpractice claims are subject to a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations determines the time in which you have to file a lawsuit claim. These time limits vary depending on the specifics of your case.

You need to schedule a free consultation with our experienced medical malpractice attorneys as soon as possible to ensure you are eligible to file a lawsuit claim and receive compensation.

WHY YOU NEED A MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWYER

Much like personal injury claims, medical malpractice lawsuits can be very complicated and depend heavily on the individual circumstances and details.  It is important to identify each person or  entity that is at fault for your injury. This determination can be difficult, and will require a thorough review of your medical records.

One of the most important pieces of a successful medical malpractice case is determining the party at-fault. Attempting to identify the responsible party on your own can be extremely difficult, because your individual health care provider could be responsible for your damages, or a supervisor, or even an entire medical facility.

In other cases, perhaps your damages may have been caused by a defective product the error is because of a product liability and not malpractice. If your medical provider was aware of a dangerous or defective product, and used it anyways, you may have claims against your medical provider and the product manufacturer. But if a medical professional knew about the questionable status of a product or brand, it may be both. A malpractice attorney will evaluate your case to correctly identify and then file against the responsible party or parties.

In any medical malpractice claim, your medical provider will be represented by defense attorneys. Having a skilled attorney representing you is essential to ensure that your case is properly prosecuted.

There’s a chance your medical malpractice claim may involve going head-to-head with a large medical facility, such as a hospital. They will have attorneys to handle their cases, so representing yourself is a serious disadvantage if the case goes to court. Having a skilled attorney on your side helps you stand on equal footing with even the biggest hospitals and medical systems.

In all medical negligence cases, you must obtain a written report from a properly qualified expert who will state that the treatment you received fell beneath the applicable standard of care, and that the substandard treatment was a cause of your harm.  Having an attorney on your side will help you obtain the necessary reports in a timely fashion.

Also, in order for a medical malpractice case to be considered by Pennsylvania courts, a certificate of merit is required. This is a certified document from an established medical professional that states the treatment you received was below the standard of care, or completely unacceptable.

Medical malpractice claims require proof that a medical professional violated their duty to care for you as a patient, and it resulted in your injury or damages. That often involves comparing the medical professional’s actions against those that a “reasonable” doctor would take in the same situation. Having an attorney will give you with easier access to expert witnesses and medical professionals who can provide statements that support your case.

While you should pursue compensation for any injuries you’ve sustained, as well as the resulting medical bills, medical malpractice cases can be medically, emotionally, and financially draining. Medical malpractice lawyers are familiar with the impact medical malpractice cases can have on your well-being and future. We use that experience and knowledge to help you obtain your rightful compensation.

HOW TO CHOOSE A MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEY (this is your original bold)

The medical malpractice lawyers at Hal Waldman & Associates have more than 50 years of combined experience. Following your initial free consultation, we will obtain your records and consult with appropriate medical experts to determine the parties responsible for your injuries.  If we are unable to obtain a fair settlement for you, we will file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.

At our law firm, we know how to build successful cases and secure the largest settlements allowed by law.

We will support you through every aspect of your case, from the initial free consultation to properly assessing your deserved compensation, and then handling settlement negotiations. We will even fight for you in court if you can’t receive a fair settlement amount.

We work closely with trusted medical professionals to thoroughly review records for all signs of malpractice. Then we take every step necessary to ensure our clients get the compensation they deserve.

Trust us to focus on your medical malpractice case, so you can focus on your recovery.

WHAT’S NEXT?  (this is yours)

If you believe you have a medical malpractice case, call the attorneys at Hal Waldman & Associates for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your case, your rights, and the most effective course of action. And remember, if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay for our services. Call us today at (412) 338-1000 or schedule your free consultation online.