Cherry Hill Medical Malpractice Lawyer

We go to doctors to get better, to figure out what is ailing us so that we can have the proper medication or treatment to get healthy. What we don’t expect from medical professionals is for them to make mistakes that lead to more severe illness or injury.

If you or a loved one has been injured or contracted an illness due to the negligence of a medical professional, you can count on the experienced legal team at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan. Each Cherry Hill medical malpractice lawyer on our staff understands the complexities of health provider negligence cases and is here to assist in seeking justice for the harm that has been caused.

The first step for us to get to work for you is to meet with an attorney for a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Contact us to schedule that meeting right away.

Types of Medical Negligence

When it comes to cases involving medical mistakes, it might be easy to become confused or overwhelmed due to how many different types of malpractice there are. Some of the most common cases our office has seen are:

• Failure to diagnose
• Misdiagnosis
• Birth injuries
• Failure to recognize symptoms
• Surgical errors
• Prescription errors
• Anesthesia errors
• Failure to take patient history
• Failure to order tests or lab work
• Incorrectly reading lab results or scans
• Failure to treat
• Poor aftercare
• Emergency room errors
• Premature discharge
• Hospital negligence

Mistakes in the medical field can happen anywhere at any time and the results can change a victim’s life forever. In less severe cases, an error can cause pain and suffering, not only for the victim but for their family as well.

A victim may not be able to work until they fully recover, which in turn puts more strain on their family or others who are counting on them for that financial support. This is why it’s so important to the success of your case to reach out to a Cherry Hill medical malpractice lawyer who can assist you with your claim.

Who Is Responsible for Mistakes Made by Health Care Providers?

Unlike other personal injury cases, there could be more than one person responsible for the previously listed examples or any other medical mistakes that may occur. The at-fault party isn’t limited to your doctor but can be any person or entity that participated in your medical care or as part of your medical team. Those usually are:

• Doctors
• Surgeons
• Anesthesiologists
• Nurses
• Medical assistants
• Pharmacists
• Hospital or clinic intake staff
• Hospital or clinic security
• Hospital or clinic management

Once you and your lawyer have determined what the mistake was that caused you harm and who is responsible for that mistake, the next step in a medical malpractice case is proving that the mistake that was made is considered malpractice.

Proving Medical Malpractice Occurred in New Jersey

Perhaps the most difficult part of a medical malpractice claim is proving that you have a case. Unfortunately, situations occur daily where patients suffer new or worsened injuries or illnesses as a result of a perfectly routine procedure. So, what has to happen to prove that your doctor made a mistake and that you are eligible to pursue a lawsuit and fight for compensation?

There are four main elements that must be present and proven in a viable malpractice claim:

• A professional duty of care was owed to you due to your doctor-patient relationship
• The medical professional breached that duty of care with their negligent actions
• That breach of duty directly caused your injury
• Your injury resulted in other damages such as long-term disability or even death

When you make the choice to pursue legal action against a medical professional who caused you harm, it’s best to have a qualified attorney who understands the details of malpractice cases. Your attorney will be able to gather the documentation you need to prove that malpractice occurred so that you can move forward with your case. If you’re looking for legal guidance in your health care provider negligence case, be sure to contact us to schedule a free consultation.

Recoverable Damages in Your Cherry Hill Medical Malpractice Case

Economic and noneconomic damages are similar across all personal injury cases and are considered compensatory damages. This means that they are awarded to you for the harm that was caused. Your attorney will gather all the necessary information to present to the at-fault party so that you can receive the compensation you deserve. Primary types of damages you may be able to recover include:

Economic (Financial) Damages

This may include such costs as:

• Medical expenses, both past and future, including rehab, surgery, doctor’s visits, medical supplies, etc.
• Past and future lost wages

Noneconomic (Non-Financial) Damages

Examples of these can include:

• Pain and suffering, including mental anguish and post-traumatic stress
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of consortium

According to the National Practitioner Data Bank, in 2023, 466 adverse actions were reported in New Jersey, resulting in 569 medical malpractice payments. The total amount paid to victims of doctors’ negligence was $287.5 million. When you have an experienced lawyer, your chances of successfully recovering damages only get higher.

Why You Should Hire an Attorney

You may be wondering if you need to have a lawyer to pursue legal action against the doctor or other medical professional who caused you harm, and the quick answer is, no, you don’t. However, if you have suffered an illness or injury, or if you are caring for a loved one who has suffered, you shouldn’t have to also carry the responsibility and stress of pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit on your own.

Our legal team from Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan is available to speak with you about your case during a free consultation so that we can help you determine your next best course of action. New Jersey has a two-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice cases, so don’t hesitate to contact our office today and see how a Cherry Hill medical malpractice lawyer can help you hold responsible those who caused you or your loved one harm.