Experienced And Knowledgeable Minnesota Medical Malpractice Lawyers
When you trust medical professionals with your health and well-being, you expect nothing but the highest standards of care. Unfortunately, mistakes happen, and when they do, the consequences can be devastating.
Berens & Miller, P.A., a respected Minnesota injury law firm, serves those injured due to health care negligence in the Minneapolis/Twin Cities region. We stand ready to help you seek the justice you deserve after medical negligence impacts your family.
Understanding Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a health care provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, leading to patient harm or injury. It can take many forms, including medical worker errors, diagnostic mistakes and medication errors.
Our medical malpractice lawyers have a firm grasp of state injury laws and extensive experience handling medical negligence cases. We can review your situation and help you determine if you have grounds for a claim.
Potential damages for Minnesota malpractice cases include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. You may also be entitled to damages covering your future medical care and rehabilitation costs. In cases of gross negligence, punitive damages may be possible.
Common Types Of Medical Malpractice
Diagnostic errors, such as misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, are a top cause of medical malpractice claims. When a diagnosis is missed or delayed, it can lead to severe health complications. For instance, an incorrect cancer diagnosis can involve unnecessary or even dangerous treatment.
Other forms of medical negligence include:
- Surgical errors: Causing preventable harm during surgical procedures
- Nursing errors: Harming patients from inadequate training, misinterpretations or miscommunication
- Medication errors: Prescribing or administering improper dosages or incorrect medications
- Doctor negligence: Failing to provide the accepted standard of care, harming vulnerable patients
- Birth injuries: Causing cerebral palsy and other conditions from childbirth mistakes
- Anesthesia errors: Causing injury or illness from incorrect anesthesia
Emergency room errors can also arise in these fast-paced crisis environments, often with devastating results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice
Do you have questions about medical malpractice claims? Here are some answers to the most common concerns our clients have:
What are some common signs of medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice can happen before, during and after medical procedures. Unfortunately, you cannot rely on medical providers to be forthcoming when medical malpractice happens. To protect your health and your legal rights, be aware that malpractice can look like:
- Misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis: Failure to diagnose a medical condition or dismissal of symptoms that turn out to be a serious condition
- Surgical errors: Surgical procedures on the wrong part of the body or objects left behind in the body after surgery
- Severe infections: Unwashed hands, cross-contamination from other patients or improperly sanitized tools
- Medication errors: Wrong prescriptions, anesthesia errors or dangerous drug interactions
- Post-treatment issues: Complications or worsening medical conditions after a procedure, despite initial improvement and a positive prognosis
- Lack of informed consent: Failure to discuss possible risks or alternatives to medical procedures before treatment
- Unexplained complications: Internal bleeding, swelling, increased pain and other issues that are not expected or normal for the situation
- Contradictory medical opinions: You experience an adverse medical event and your doctors do not seem to be on the same page about the cause
If you notice signs of medical malpractice, talk to an experienced medical malpractice attorney to learn what to do next.
How do I determine if I have a viable medical malpractice claim?
To have a viable medical malpractice claim, you must prove that a medical professional owed you a duty of care and breached that duty through negligence by failing to provide the same standard of care that would be expected of any competent doctor of similar skill in similar circumstances. It can be difficult to determine if you have a claim without an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
Can I still file a claim if I signed a consent form or waiver?
Yes. A consent form or waiver typically only indicates that you agreed to a medical procedure and understood the normal risks. They do not absolve a provider from acts of negligence.
Can I file a medical malpractice claim if a family member was injured or passed away due to medical negligence?
Yes. Surviving spouses, the children of the deceased, the deceased’s parents and even the deceased’s estate may be able to file a wrongful death claim. The attorneys at Berens & Miller, P.A., can discuss your options.
Get The Legal Help You Need
At Berens & Miller, P.A., our medical malpractice attorneys know how complex health care negligence cases can be. You can rely on our experience and commitment to see you through your ordeal. Call our office in Minneapolis at 612-688-6516 or reach out online to arrange a confidential consultation. Together, we can build a secure and stable future in the wake of medical negligence injuries.