Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyer
When doctors make mistakes, Laffey Bucci D'Andrea Reich & Ryan are here to hold them accountable.
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Medical malpractice cases are known to be notoriously intricate and challenging. Along with dealing with injuries, patients also struggle to accept that a trusted health care professional or institution engaged in malpractice or negligence. The physical, emotional, and financial burden can be difficult for many. However, there are legal options available.
Health practitioners have a duty to help, not hurt. When they break that oath, you can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer can assist with your case. At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we understand that these cases take their toll on victims and their families.
For that reason, we want to make the process as seamless as possible for you. Contact our office today if you are ready to take the next step.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
When a patient has been harmed by a health care provider’s actions or inactions, that is often the basis of a medical malpractice lawsuit. In these cases, the provider did not meet the proper standard of care through an intentional act or omission.
Any health care provider has a duty of care, or legal obligation, to provide reasonable and competent care to a patient. When they fail to meet that level of expected care, that is known as a breach of duty.
A medical malpractice claim occurs when a breach of duty leads to harm, such as injury, illness, or death. The injured patient and their legal team must show that:
- There was a duty of care owed by the health care provider.
- The provider breached this duty.
- There is a link between the breach and the patient’s harm.
- The patient suffered actual damages.
Fortunately, there is hope in these cases. If you have been affected by medical malpractice issues, reach out to the legal team at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan. Our med mal lawyers can help you understand your legal options.
Meet Our Attorneys
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536Paul Bucci Paul BucciAreas of Practice
- Car/Truck Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Workplace Accidents
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539Sam Reich Sam ReichAreas of Practice
- Car/Truck Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Workplace Accidents
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6024Griffin Remick Griffin RemickAreas of Practice
- Car/Truck Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Workplace Accidents
Have You Been Harmed by a Health Care Provider?
According to a Journal of Anesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology study published by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the United States.
Another StatPearls study, also published by the NLM, found that approximately 400,000 hospitalized patients experience some preventable harm each year. These negligent mistakes should never happen, but they persist throughout Philadelphia and across the country.
Medical malpractice cases can cover a wide range of actions or inactions from the health care provider, such as:
Misdiagnosis
When you are sick, you expect your doctor or health care provider to determine the issues. However, misdiagnosis can occur as the provider incorrectly identifies your condition.
This often results in delayed or incorrect treatment. For example, mistaking ovarian cancer for irritable bowel syndrome could lead to the appropriate treatment. If the cancer is rapidly growing, it could result in the wrongful death of the patient.
Failure to Diagnose
Along with misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose could also have serious consequences for the patient. When health care providers miss the symptoms of a serious condition, such as heart disease, they can delay crucial treatment. Sometimes, this can potentially lead to worsening health for the patient.
Improper Testing
Even after a patient has been diagnosed, they will require testing to determine the cause of their health concerns. A provider failing to perform or order the appropriate medical tests can result in delayed treatment or even a misdiagnosis. The right tests ensure that all patients receive accurate diagnoses and timely interventions.
Without the necessary tests, patients may not receive the care needed to treat these ailments.
Surgical Errors
When you head into surgery, you expect that the medical team has all the right information and the necessary skills for the procedure. However, that is not always the case. Surgical mistakes can include:
- Performing the wrong procedure
- Operating on the wrong body part
- Using improper surgical techniques
- Leaving surgical instruments inside the patient’s body
Medication Errors
Whether you see a doctor in an office for treatment or spend time in a hospital, you might need to take medication to help with your medical conditions.
Unfortunately, medication errors can occur at any stage of the medication process. The doctor might prescribe the wrong medicine, the pharmacist dispenses the wrong dose, or the nurse does not monitor for adverse reactions. All of these factors could lead to a medication error.
In some cases, this can lead to a worsening of the person’s medical condition or even death.
Lack of Monitoring
Along with treating the patient, healthcare staff have the duty to monitor their patients for any signs of distress or other complications. Close monitoring identifies any potential issues or changes in a patient’s condition, allowing for timely intervention and care.
Without proper monitoring, patients may be at risk of experiencing unnecessary harm. As a result, these health care providers may be held accountable for any resulting negligence.
Birth Injuries
Medical malpractice can even affect one of the most joyous occasions: the birth of a new baby.
Birth injuries will have a major impact on a child’s life. While they can be due to various factors, medical negligence during childbirth is often a common cause.
Whether the medical team did not monitor the infant’s health or incorrectly used forceps during the delivery, these actions can cause a lifetime of pain for both the child and their parents. All medical professionals need to take all necessary precautions and provide proper care before, during, and after childbirth to prevent these injuries.
If you or a loved one has been affected by any of the medical mistakes, it is time to talk to a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney. We are here to listen to your story and help you seek the compensation you deserve for your case.
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Who Is Responsible for Medical Negligence?
If you want to start the claims process, you will need to identify the responsible parties. In many cases, while it may seem like one individual was involved, there could be several health care professionals who were negligent in their actions or lack thereof. These parties can include:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Specialists
- Surgeons
- Anesthesiologists
- Radiologists
- Laboratory
- Pharmacists
As you can see, that is not an exhaustive list; even dentists, ophthalmologists, and other healthcare professionals could be liable for any injuries received during the diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring stages of the healthcare process.
However, sometimes, not one person but an entire medical group or hospital facility could be liable for malpractice.
The shift from nonprofit to for-profit hospital management has transformed the healthcare landscape. With large corporate entities at the helm, the primary focus is on financial gains rather than patient care. This has raised concerns about prioritizing profit over the well-being of patients.
Also, the issue of medical negligence in hospitals is a pressing concern nationwide, and the Philadelphia area is no exception. A recent BMJ Quality & Safety study states that about 795,000 patients have lost their lives or become permanently disabled due to preventable medical errors, with many of these incidents occurring within hospital settings.
Whether you have been affected by the mistake of one medical professional or feel that the actions of a corporate entity caused you harm, you have the right to pursue compensation from these negligent parties.
Our Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers can help assess the validity of your case.
What Can Medical Malpractice Mean for You or a Loved One?
When you put your trust in a doctor, nurse, or hospital, you expect to get better, not worse.
But when something goes wrong due to negligence, the effects can ripple through every part of your life.
At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we’ve helped clients who have experienced the full weight of these errors. With that, we understand how personal and life-changing they can be.
Our medical malpractice lawyers in PA have assisted clients facing:
Constant Physical Pain
The most immediate impact is physical. Maybe you had a routine surgery that left you in worse shape than before, or there was a missed diagnosis that allowed a serious condition to progress. In some cases, patients are left with permanent injuries, such as chronic pain, limited mobility, or even the loss of a limb or organ function. These are not just complications; they’re new realities that affect how you live every single day.
Lingering Emotional Trauma
Many times, it is not just your body that suffers. Our clients come to us carrying emotional scars, such as fear, anxiety, or grief. They have lost trust in the medical system. Some are afraid to see another doctor as they are worried it could happen again. Others are mourning what they have lost, whether that is the ability to have children, enjoy favorite activities, or just feel safe in their own skin.
Unmanageable Financial Stress
One of the biggest realities of medical negligence is the financial burden it creates. You may find yourself buried under medical bills for additional treatments, therapy, or long-term care.
Time off work, or the inability to return at all, only adds to the pressure. We have helped families struggling to make ends meet after an unexpected injury threw their plans, finances, and future into chaos.
Loss of Independence and Joy
When your health is compromised, so is your freedom. Some clients cannot drive, work, or even care for themselves without help. Simple activities like playing with your kids, walking your dog, and going on a trip suddenly feel out of reach. This is more than inconvenient; it is a fundamental change to how you live and experience life.
In the Worst Cases, the Loss of Life
In the most heartbreaking situations, malpractice leads to the death of a loved one. We have stood with grieving spouses, parents, and children. These people are looking for answers, accountability, and closure. No legal case can bring someone back, but holding negligent providers accountable can help a family begin to heal.
If any of this sounds familiar, you need to speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Philadelphia. Our medical malpractice law firm is here for you. We will take on the next steps with compassion, clarity, and strength.
Pennsylvania Laws Make It Harder to Seek Compensation
Unfortunately, the patient and their family members will feel the effects of medical malpractice for a long time. These individuals may have substantial medical bills due to additional treatments, surgeries, or extended hospital stays caused by errors.
Along with that, they may deal with an emotional toll as they face long-lasting physical and emotional consequences.
In some cases, these mistakes can cause death, leaving families in grief and wanting answers for their loved one’s untimely passing.
With these scenarios, patients and their loved ones have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Pennsylvania. These claims can help recover medical treatment costs, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
However, Pennsylvania has specific laws for medical malpractice claims. One requirement is the “certificate of merit.” Your lawyer must obtain this certificate before you can file this type of lawsuit.
In these cases, you will need to have a qualified medical professional review the case. If they find evidence of negligence on behalf of a doctor, health care provider, or hospital, you can remove this certificate of merit.
Your Right to Financial Recovery if You're Hurt or Ill
When these medical errors occur, you have the right to seek compensation for:
In cases where a patient dies due to medical negligence, surviving spouses, children, or parents may have the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. With that, they can get compensation for the loss of their loved one, including funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.
Depending on your circumstances, these recoverable options may be available to you. However, without consulting with a Philadelphia medical negligence lawyer, you may not know the full calculation of your damages.
Our medical malpractice attorney in PA will help explore your options.
A Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyer Is Standing by To Help
At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we approach these claims compassionately. Over the years, we have successfully handled numerous complex medical malpractice cases.
Our firm is dedicated to advocating for those who have suffered negligence on behalf of a health care provider or a hospital.
If you believe you have been a victim of medical negligence, we offer a free consultation to help you understand your options. Our goal is to help you seek compensation for your suffering and to support you in getting back on your feet.
Contact us today to reach out to a Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer.
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