Panama City Medical Malpractice Lawyer

In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, patients trust professionals to provide care that meets or surpasses established standards. However, there are instances when these expectations aren’t met, leading to complications and harm. In Florida, this failure in the standard of care, resulting in injury or loss, is termed “medical malpractice.” If you or a loved one has been made a victim of medical malpractice, please don’t hesitate to contact a dedicated Panama City lawyer from Manuel & Thompson for guidance today.

Medical Malpractice Lawyer | Fighting for Victims in Panama City, Florida

To classify a case as medical malpractice in Florida, two key criteria must be satisfied:

• The medical professional must have acted below the generally accepted standard of care.
• The deviation from this standard must directly result in injury or harm to the patient.

Importantly, not all unfavorable outcomes from medical treatments or surgeries qualify as malpractice. Medicine isn’t an exact science and inherent risks exist. It becomes malpractice only when it’s evident that the care provided was negligent or subpar. This is why if you or a loved one has been harmed by a medical professional, you’ll need our competent Panama City personal injury attorneys in your corner. We can effectively assess the circumstances of your case and build a strong claim on your behalf.

Common Examples of Medical Malpractice

Florida, like many states, has its fair share of medical malpractice cases. A multitude of scenarios could fall under this category. Here are some commonly seen instances:

• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: When doctors fail to diagnose a condition promptly or diagnose it incorrectly, leading to inappropriate treatment or lack of treatment.
• Surgical Errors: This could range from operating on the wrong body part to leaving a medical instrument inside a patient.
• Prescription Drug Errors: Administering the wrong drug, or dosage, or failing to foresee potential drug interactions can have dire consequences.
• Birth Injuries: These involve negligence during childbirth which could harm the mother or baby, such as failure to anticipate birth complications or using tools inappropriately.
• Failure to Treat: A doctor might diagnose a condition correctly but fail to recommend or delay in recommending the proper course of action.

Proving Your Claim

Establishing a case of medical malpractice in Florida is no easy task. It demands substantial proof that the medical professional was indeed negligent and that their negligence was the direct cause of injury. The burden of proof rests on the plaintiff. Here’s a concise breakdown of what needs to be shown:

• Duty of Care: First, it must be established that there was a doctor-patient relationship, confirming the medical professional owed a duty of care to the patient.
• Breach of Duty: The plaintiff must then show that the medical professional breached this duty by failing to meet the standard of care.
• Causation: It’s crucial to demonstrate that this breach was the direct cause of the injury. This means showing that, but for the negligence of the medical professional, the injury would not have occurred.
• Damages: Lastly, actual harm or damages (physical, emotional, financial) resulting from the breach must be evident.

The Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims in Florida

Understanding the legal window for pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Florida is vital. The Sunshine State dictates that the statute of limitations for such claims is two years. This essentially means that a patient has two years from the date they either discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury to file a lawsuit.

However, it’s essential to remember Florida also has a statute of repose. Even if the injury was discovered later, no medical malpractice suit can be initiated more than four years after the actual act of malpractice. The only exception to this is in cases where fraud, concealment, or intentional misrepresentation by the potential defendant prevented the discovery of the malpractice. In such cases, the window could extend to seven years. In any case, if you believe you’ve been harmed by a medical professional, you should reach out to a seasoned Panama City medical malpractice lawyer sooner rather than later. If the statute of limitations on your case expires, you’ll likely permanently relinquish your right to sue.

Contact Manuel & Thompson Today

The bottom line is that if you or a loved one has been harmed by a medical professional, you deserve justice, and our legal team is here to help you get that justice. Contact us today so we can get started working on your case.