North Carolina Medical Malpractice Lawyer

North Carolina Medical Malpractice Attorney

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people across the United States are affected by careless acts or omissions by medical professionals who are trusted to care for them. Many patients who are adversely affected by their medical providers’ conduct never pursue their cases because they simply don’t know or don’t understand their options. A North Carolina medical malpractice lawyer can assist you.

Dedicated medical malpractice lawyer Brian Steed Tatum represents clients throughout South Carolina and North Carolina. He is familiar with this area of the law and wants to help you understand your rights. You can expect the utmost care and professionalism from our entire team.

Why Choose the Tatum Law Firm, PLLC?

The Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, is committed to providing personalized legal services for individuals in North Carolina who are facing challenging legal issues such as medical malpractice-related injuries.

With a focus on client-centered representation, our firm can take the time to understand your unique circumstances and goals, crafting strategies tailored to meet your needs. Whether you’re dealing with medical malpractice, personal injury, or other legal concerns, our team is dedicated to advocating for your rights with diligence and care.

At the Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, your case is treated as a priority and given the attention it deserves. Our compassionate approach, combined with an unwavering commitment to justice, makes our firm a trusted ally in your pursuit of legal resolution. Let us provide the guidance and representation you deserve when it matters most.

Common Causes of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence results in harm to a patient. Some of the most common causes of medical malpractice include diagnostic errors, surgical mistakes, and medication errors.

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can lead to improper or delayed treatment, worsening a patient’s condition unnecessarily.
• Surgical errors can cause severe and lasting harm, such as operating on the wrong site or leaving instruments inside the body.
• Medication errors are another frequent issue, often involving incorrect dosages, prescriptions for the wrong medication, or failure to account for potential drug interactions.
• Birth injuries are also a significant concern, such as improper use of delivery tools or failure to address complications.
• Inadequate patient monitoring, especially after surgery or during hospitalization, can lead to life-threatening complications like infections or blood clots.

Communication breakdowns between medical staff and failures to follow proper protocols often contribute to these errors. Lack of informed consent, where a patient is not fully aware of the risks of a procedure, can also lead to legal action.

At the Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, we understand the devastating impact medical malpractice can have on your life. If you believe you’ve been harmed by a healthcare provider’s negligence, our team is here to help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

What Can Legal Action Compensate Me For?

If you’ve been harmed due to a medical professional’s or institution’s negligence, legal action may provide compensation to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. In medical malpractice cases, damages often cover medical expenses, including costs for corrective treatments, ongoing care, and rehabilitation. Compensation may address lost income if the injury affects your ability to work, either temporarily or permanently.

Beyond financial losses, legal action can seek to compensate for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. For families who have lost a loved one due to negligence, wrongful death claims may provide compensation for funeral expenses and loss of companionship.

Legal action also serves to hold responsible parties accountable, potentially preventing similar harm to others in the future. It can also provide funds for necessary modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate disabilities caused by the injury.

The Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, is dedicated to pursuing the full compensation to which you may be entitled, ensuring your rights are upheld and your voice is heard. Whether through negotiation or litigation, our team can work tirelessly to secure outcomes that help restore a sense of justice and support your path to recovery.

Holding Negligent Doctors Accountable for Injuring Patients in North Carolina

The Institute of Medicine reports that nearly 100,000 Americans die each year due to medical malpractice, which is a figure higher than those killed in all types of motor vehicle accidents like car accidents and truck accidents.

The Harvard School of Medicine estimates that approximately 18% of patients in hospitals are injured during their time there, and many of these injuries are life-threatening or fatal. According to the American Medical Association, the leading cause of malpractice allegations in 2012 is failure to diagnose.

Medical malpractice is defined as a medical professional’s failure to exercise the skill and care that a medical professional in the same specialty would use in similar circumstances. Thus, a neurosurgeon’s conduct would be compared to what another neurosurgeon’s would do, while a trauma nurse’s actions would be compared to what another trauma nurse would do. Standards and regulations for medical professionals can vary from state to state, so it is important to consult a knowledgeable attorney in your area to assess your options.

Protect Your Rights With a Medical Malpractice Claim in North Carolina

Medical malpractice cases are rooted in the theory of negligence, which is the failure to take proper care while doing something. In the case of a medical professional, this can be an act or omission. To prevail against a physician for medical malpractice, a patient must establish that:

• The physician owed the patient a duty of care;
• The physician breached the duty of care by failing to adhere to the correct professional standard in the medical specialty;
• The patient suffered a personal injury in North Carolina or damages as a direct result of the physician’s breach.

To show that the duty of care was breached, the patient must prove that the doctor acted in a manner contrary to the generally accepted way of handling a similar situation. Other doctors likely will be needed as expert witnesses to testify on this issue. If there are no damages that result from the breach, however, there is no basis for a malpractice claim in North Carolina.

The time limit for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is different from state to state. To ensure you don’t miss your chance to file a lawsuit, it is best to contact an attorney who is knowledgeable in medical malpractice laws in North Carolina.

You must act quickly to ensure your right to file a claim is not forfeited. The statute of limitations generally limits the time you have to file, so consulting with an experienced attorney is critical to preserving your case. The sooner you take action, the sooner you can begin the process of seeking justice and compensation for the harm caused.

In many medical malpractice cases, the victim may be most interested in getting answers about what went wrong and why. While no amount of money can ease the pain of the harm you may have suffered, the compensation can help with the costs caused by the incident.

Depending on the extent of the patient’s injuries, he or she may be able to recover medical bills, prescription and medication expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, lost future income, pain and suffering, and other types of damages.

FAQs

Q: How Much Can You Sue for Medical Malpractice in North Carolina?

A: In North Carolina, compensation for medical malpractice can include economic damages, such as lost wages and medical expenses, and non-economic damages, which may compensate for pain and suffering. While economic damages are uncapped, non-economic damages are subject to a statutory limit. This cap is periodically adjusted for inflation. It’s important to consult with a legal professional to understand how these limits may apply to your specific case.

Q: What Is Medical Negligence in North Carolina?

A: Medical negligence in North Carolina occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the expected standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. This means the provider’s actions were not what a reasonably competent professional would have done under similar circumstances.

This often means that the medical professional deviated from established standards of care. Establishing medical negligence requires demonstrating that this deviation directly caused the patient’s injury.

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim in North Carolina?

A: North Carolina law generally requires that medical malpractice cases be filed within three years from the date of the alleged negligent act. If the injury wasn’t immediately apparent, however, the statute of limitations may extend, but not beyond a certain period. Given the complexity of these timelines, it’s advisable to consult with an attorney promptly to ensure compliance with filing deadlines.

Q: Is There a Cap on Medical Malpractice Cases in North Carolina?

A: North Carolina imposes a cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, which includes compensation for pain and suffering. This cap is adjusted periodically to account for inflation. It’s important to note that this limitation applies only to non-economic damages. Economic damages are not capped. Your attorney can review your case before estimating what your settlement may be worth.

Q: What Steps Should I Take if I Believe I’ve Been a Victim of Medical Malpractice in North Carolina?

A: If you suspect you’ve been harmed due to medical malpractice in North Carolina, it’s crucial to act fast. First, seek a second medical opinion to address any ongoing health concerns. Then, consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to evaluate your case. They can guide you through the legal process, help gather necessary evidence, and ensure that you meet all filing deadlines to protect your rights.

Discuss Your Case With a North Carolina Medical Malpractice Lawyer at the Tatum Law Firm

Preventable medical errors injure and kill hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. When you are a medical patient, you deserve a doctor who listens to you, diagnoses you correctly, and is vigilant about any changes they observe or are informed about.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed because of the carelessness of a medical professional or medical institution, then you should contact legal counsel immediately. Medical negligence attorney Brian Steed Tatum works closely with clients in North Carolina and South Carolina.

If you want to learn more about your options, call the Tatum Law Firm at 704-307-4350 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.