South Carolina Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Medical malpractice victims deserve compensation for their injuries, illnesses, and long-term disability caused by medical errors. The South Carolina medical malpractice attorneys at Simmons Law Firm can help you secure that compensation to pay for your ongoing medical costs, lost wages, disability, pain and suffering, and more.
What Constitutes Medical Malpractice?
Under South Carolina code 15-79-110, medical malpractice is defined as causing harm that a “reasonably prudent health care provider or health care institution would not do,” or not do in “the same or similar circumstances.” For all types of medical treatment—including diagnosing, surgery, prescribing drugs, etc.—there exists a “standard of care” that all medical professionals must abide by, relating to the type of injury, the condition of the patient, and the geographical location where the medical treatment is provided. For example, a specific standard of treatment exists for a doctor in Columbia who treats a 12-year-old’s compound fractured leg. Deviating from this standard of care, and also causing harm, is grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Types of Medical Malpractice
Our attorneys handle all of the following types of medical malpractice:
- Misdiagnosis;
- Failure to Diagnose Cancer;
- Surgical Errors;
- Birth Trauma;
- Hospital Pharmacy Malpractice;
- Anesthesia Errors & prescription drug errors;
- Emergency Room Errors;
- Post-Operative Care Negligence;
- Bedsores/Pressure Sores;
- Hospital Falls;
- Medication Errors;
- Malnutrition; and
- More.
How Common is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is probably more common than you would assume. According to a John Hopkins study, medical errors may be the third leading cause of all deaths in the United States, potentially claiming the lives of up to 440,000 Americans every year, as reported by CNBC. By the time most doctors retire, they have had at least one medical malpractice claim against them, according to ABC News.
Damages in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Victims of medical malpractice often have medical bills and other damages well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. They should not have to pay for these expenses out of their own pocket. Patients who have been harmed by a medical professional have the right to sue for significant economic and non-economic damages. This damages may include the following:
- Medical bills;
- Projected medical costs;
- Lost earning ability due to disability;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress and PTSD;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Expenses caused by the injury/disability related to homecare and childcare; and
- More.
Call a South Carolina Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
To err is human, and doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and surgeons are, of course, human. However, that does not absolve them from liability. An attorney will investigate the cause of your injury or illness stemming from medical malpractice, compile your damages, and file a lawsuit against the appropriate party so that you do not have to continue suffering without financial relief. The South Carolina medical malpractice attorneys at Simmons Law Firm have your back, and will be with you every step of the way until fair and full compensation is delivered. Call us today at 803-779-4600 to schedule a free consultation.
