West Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawyer

There are many reasons why malpractice can occur.  While doctors take an oath, they are still human and can miss something while diagnosing a patient or do not pay attention when a patient tries to explain what’s wrong with them.  Doctors know best, right? Not always. 

Surgical Injury

Many incidents of malpractice happen while a patient is undergoing a surgical procedure.  A sponge might be left inside the patient; worse, a doctor might have operated on the wrong patient or body part.  This type of malpractice is known as a ‘never event,’ a term used in healthcare to describe serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents that should never occur. 

Mistakes With Medications

Although medication mistakes should not happen, they are more common than one would think. They often occur in hospitals, where a doctor might prescribe incorrect medication for a patient’s ailment. In other cases, a nurse or doctor might erroneously give incorrect medicines, such as giving medication to one patient that’s meant for another. 

Other examples of malpractice include misdiagnosis, birth injuries, failure to obtain informed consent, anesthesia errors, and delayed diagnosis or treatment. While there are many more examples of medical malpractice, patients should always be able to trust the medical providers and facilities where they go for treatment, and the last thing they should be worried about is the level of care they are receiving. 

Time Limits to File a Claim

Time Limits, also known in legal terms as the statute of limitations, is two years from the date of injury or when the injury is discovered, the same as for any other type of personal injury case. 

For minors, the time limit in a medical malpractice case is two years or before the minor turns 12, whichever is longer. The time limit is one year for a nursing home malpractice.

No matter the circumstances in your case, calling an attorney as soon as possible after your injury is always best. Gathering medical information and professional witnesses takes time, and urgency is crucial in ensuring the best possible outcome for your case.