Do you need a medical malpractice lawyer in Florida? If you or a loved one have been injured by the carelessness of a doctor, hospital, nurse, or other health care provider, the attorneys at Slinkman, Slinkman & Wynne, P.A. can help you pursue a case against the negligent party for damages.
When Are You Entitled to Damages?
When a healthcare professional acts negligently, causing injury or death to a patient, that patient or their loved ones may be entitled to collect damages. The attorneys at Slinkman, Slinkman & Wynne are experienced professionals in seeking due compensation for such occurrences.
What Does “Standard of Care” Mean?
The law does not hold medical professionals automatically liable even when they injure you. You must show that the medical facility or professional did not meet the prevailing professional standard of care. Medical malpractice is a form of negligence where an injury results from the failure of a medical professional or medical facility (doctor, nurse, medical technician, psychiatrist, psychologist, hospital, healthcare facility, etc.) to exercise the appropriate care, skill or diligence necessary to properly care for the medical condition.
A doctor or other medical provider has a duty to use the appropriate care and diligence to diagnose your illness and provide the proper treatment for such illness. The determination of whether a duty of care is met depends on the standard of care for that professional or facility in their community. Simply put, the applicable duty arises from the accepted practices of other professionals or facilities in the same field and geographical area.
In the case of a doctor who is a medical specialist, the standard of care is determined by the standard of good medical practice in that specialty within the community.
How Soon Must You Lodge a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
A statute of limitations defines how soon you must lodge a medical malpractice lawsuit. In Florida, you must start the lawsuit within two years of discovering the injury, or when you should have discovered the injury, and four years from when the malpractice occurred.
If you did not discover the malpractice four years from the date of the injury, you cannot sue the healthcare provider for medical negligence. It is always advisable to discuss your matter with a medical malpractice attorney with experience, as you will find at Slinkman, Slinkman & Wynne.
What happens when the care provider fraudulently conceals their medical negligence? There is an exception in this instance. The statute of limitations is still two years from when the injury was finally discovered, but you have seven years from when the malpractice occurred to lodge your medical malpractice lawsuit. Did you know that the statute of limitations on medical malpractice does not apply to a minor if the case started on or before their eighth birthday?
Medical Malpractice Notice of Intent
In Florida, you must serve a notice of intent on the healthcarehealth care provider you are suing for medical malpractice, before you can file a case in court. The notice must include an affidavit of merit from a medical professional stating you have a valid medical malpractice claim. Then a settlement process that lasts 90 days starts, during which the statute of limitations is paused (tolled). The settlement process is complicated, and it is best to discuss your case with medical malpractice lawyers, Slinkman, Slinkman & Wynne to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines.
Are you wondering whether you have a case? You can call for a free consultation or complete our online form with as much information as possible regarding your inquiry. The contact does not serve to establish an attorney/client relationship, it only allows the legal team to begin an assessment of the case.
Types of Medical Malpractice in Florida
Some of the types of medical malpractice cases our attorneys pursue are:
As with all types of cases, you only have a limited amount of time in which to pursue a medical malpractice case. Take control of the situation, and get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Enlist the help of our attorneys that work on your behalf to pursue your case, and obtain the recovery you deserve.
How Can a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Ease Your Burden?
Malpractice of a medical nature is traumatizing. As a local law firm with big firm abilities and experience, we understand at Slinkman, Slinkman & Wynne that a small firm personal approach makes clients more comfortable. When we accept a case, we know our client invests their trust in us. We charge no fees or costs unless we win your case, and if you cannot visit our office, we will travel to your nursing home, hospital, or home.
Do you live in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Stuart, or Royal Palm Beach and suspect you or a loved one were injured due to medical malpractice? Do you want to know if you have a medical malpractice case? Contact Slinkman, Slinkman & Wynne, P.A. to talk to a medical malpractice lawyer.