Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Altoona, PA

Medical Malpractice

When you, or a loved one, require treatment from a doctor in Altoona, you trust that they will take care of your medical needs. After all, doctors endure years of education and training, and our area is home to world-class physicians. To put it simply, we trust our health and lives with doctors.

But when something goes wrong with your medical treatment, you may have no idea where to turn. That's when you can rely on the attorneys at Edgar Snyder & Associates in Altoona if you suspect you're a victim of medical malpractice.

We've been working with victims of accidents in Altoona for over 35 years, and when you aren't sure what your next steps to determine if you have a medical malpractice case, we urge you to give us a call at 412-394-1000.

Types of Medical Malpractice

What is medical malpractice? While there are countless types of conditions, illnesses, and other health issues, you can define medical malpractice in four categories:

If you fear you may be a victim of malpractice in Altoona in any of the following categories, we encourage you to contact us immediately at 412-394-1000.

Misdiagnosis

When a complex condition with a multitude of symptoms develops, it can be hard to accurately identify – particularly infections, heart attacks, heart disease, pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), and tumors or other masses. When appropriate treatment is delayed, there is doctor negligence, or a physician fails to provide appropriate treatment, it can result in the condition worsening or even becoming life-threatening.

Medication Mistakes

Administering too much, not enough, or even the wrong medication can lead to serious issues and even a medical negligence claim. Medications and prescriptions have multiple personnel touchpoints, from the prescribing physician, to the pharmacy that fills it, to the nurse or assistant who administers it. This creates many opportunities for error.

Surgical Errors

It might seem like it should be a fail-proof system, but mistakes during surgery and hospital malpractice are possible, even during routine operations. Common surgical errors include leaving materials inside a patient, failure to control bleeding, and nerve damage. Anesthesia-related mistakes can also occur, due to the incorrect amount of anesthesia, the wrong type of anesthesia, or poor patient care during the procedure.

Childbirth and Pregnancy Mistakes

Pregnancy can be complicated, and medical malpractice suits can arise from a number medical issues. Examples of medical malpractice can include:

  • Premature childbirth
  • Anesthesia issues during labor or a C-section
  • Surgical errors during a C-section
  • Excessive vaginal bleeding
  • Hemorrhage of the mother
  • Traumatic labor that injuries mother or child
  • Placenta previa or placental abruption
  • Mother's gestational diabetes
  • Preeclampsia
  • Shoulder dystocia or other nerve injury of the child

How many years do you have to sue for medical malpractice?

In Pennsylvania, malpractice claims are considered to be a personal injury claim, meaning that an action must be filed within two years from the date the malpractice was committed. Under some circumstances you may be able to extend this period of time by six months.

However, bringing a medical lawsuit involves complex law, and in some specific situations, you may be entitled to more time to file a claim. If you were unaware malpractice was committed at the time, you may be entitled to six months from the date of realizing medical malpractice was committed, so long as it has not been more than six years since the malpractice occurred. You may also be entitled to an extension if the negligence involved a minor, reproductive organ damage, or death.

Despite the potential for additional time to file, it's essential you contact an attorney promptly if you suspect malpractice. Get your case started today by calling 412-394-1000.

What is the average settlement for medical malpractice?

Settlements for medical malpractice cases can vary. Your medical malpractice settlement amount can be affected by any of the following, plus more:

  • Evidence available
  • How serious your injuries are
  • Details of your medical treatment and medical negligence
  • Your insurance and medical provider's insurance

Medical malpractice claims are just as complex as the medical conditions themselves, making it nearly impossible to say what the average settlement for medical malpractice may be. We treat each of our medical malpractice lawsuit cases on a personal, case-by-case basis, and it would be wrong to attach a number to your particular situation. There are many factors that affect what your settlement could be worth, so it's critical you give our law firm a call at 412-394-1000 so that we're able to piece together your case.

How much can you get for a medical malpractice lawsuit?

There's no one formula that can calculate what you'll receive from a medical malpractice lawsuit. In fact, we strongly caution you against believing any law firm or attorney who offers you a number upfront. Without spending time gathering all the facts and evidence, it's frankly impossible to estimate how much you may get.

How much you may receive from a medical malpractice lawsuit is a result of not only how serious the injury or malpractice was, but also how it has affected or will affect your life. While our law firm can't give you your life back as it was before the medical negligence, we can help you to receive compensation to take away some financial burden. Regardless of how much your case is worth, it's completely free to have us review your case. Call us at 412-394-1000.

How do you prove medical malpractice?

We're often asked, "How long does a malpractice settlement take?" Due to the work and detail that go into proving medical malpractice cases, it can take anywhere from months to years.

Here's what constitutes medical malpractice:

  • Act within the statute of limitations: It's important that a claim is filed soon after the medical negligence occurs. Not only is there a statute of limitations on bringing a claim (in Pennsylvania, between six months and two years, depending on your situation), but medical malpractice evidence disappears quickly. Contacting us right away is critical.
  • Prove medical negligence: You must prove that you had a doctor-patient relationship with the provider you're bringing a claim against, and you also must prove that the physician was negligent. For a doctor to be negligent, it means that they caused you harm in a way that, under the same circumstances, another skilled doctor would not have.
  • Prove injury: After proving the physician was negligent, you must prove that they caused injury leading to specific damages, such as physical pain, mental anguish, lost wages, and additional and unexpected medical bills. Because medical malpractice victims are often already sick or hurt, it can be difficult to prove that a doctor's negligence caused additional injury.
  • Obtain evidence and experts: Evidence and medical expert testimony are hallmarks of proving a medical malpractice lawsuit. Gathering evidence and hiring the proper experts can be difficult and expensive on your own or with a less-experienced attorney – contact us today at 412-394-1000 to get started.

Contact Us for a Free Review Your Medical Malpractice Claim

With the possibility of evidence disappearing and the need to act quickly, it's in your best interest to contact a local Altoona hospital lawyer at Edgar Snyder & Associates today. We offer a free legal consultation, and if you or a loved one were hurt due to medical malpractice, you have nothing to lose by giving us a call. We have attorneys based in our office in Altoona, as well as in Johnstown, Ebensburg, Erie, and Pittsburgh, and we can also travel to you – even if you're still at the hospital.

To get the process started today, fill out our form now for a free case review, or give us a call at 412-394-1000. We're available 24/7, 365 days a year.

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