Lansing Medical Malpractice Attorney

Dedicated and Compassionate Lansing Medical Malpractice Attorneys

We Fight for the Rights of Medical Malpractice Victims

When you visit a hospital or a healthcare facility like a nursing home or laboratory, you expect medical professionals to provide optimal care. While this is often the case, there are cases when healthcare professionals behave negligently, below the acceptable standard of care. In such an instance, you can file a malpractice lawsuit against the medical professional or healthcare facility.

However, having a successful medical malpractice lawsuit is easier said than done, as it involves legal and medical theories. Also, it is always challenging to establish that the medical professional or facility breached the duty of care. Hence, it is always advisable to consult a lawyer before commencing a lawsuit.

At Goodman Acker, P.C., we have a team of legal professionals with decades of experience representing medical malpractice victims. Our Lansing medical malpractice lawyer has helped several people recover compensation from negligent medical professionals and facilities. When you contact us, we will examine your case to determine its validity and help you commence the lawsuit.

Call us at 248-286-8100 to book a free case review.

Why Choose Our Lansing Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Goodman Acker, P.C.?

Medical malpractice claims are always challenging and require the skills and knowledge of an experienced lawyer. This is what you get when you retain the services of our team at Goodman Acker, P.C. We understand how medical malpractice lawsuits work and the applicable laws and have a winning track record.

We invest time and resources to help victims get favorable outcomes and have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Our lawyers are dedicated to every case, and we do not treat any client as more important than another. We aim to help you get your life back on track and do not relent in our quest for justice.

We are always accessible to our clients during their cases, and you can reach us 24/7. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to learn more about our services and how we can help you.

Understanding Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice refers to professional negligence by a healthcare provider that leads to substandard treatment, resulting in injury to a patient. It also refers to a healthcare professional not providing you with the “proper standard of care.” In medical malpractice claims, the law considers acts and omissions.

Therefore, if the medical professional fails to provide care when another competent physician with similar training would have, the person can be held liable for a medical malpractice claim. This qualifies as an omission. Similarly, if the medical professional provides care but falls below the standard another healthcare professional with similar training would have provided, it is also considered malpractice.

Medical malpractice is not limited to doctors; it also affects anyone with a duty to provide competent medical care. These include nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, laboratory technicians, etc. In cases where the medical facility contributed to the malpractice, they can also be held liable.

There are different types of medical malpractice, and they include but are not limited to the following:

• Misdiagnosis
• Delayed diagnosis
• Incorrect treatment
• Failure to obtain informed consent
• Operating on the wrong person or body part and forgetting surgical equipment in a patient’s body
• Removal of healthy organs or tissues
• Early discharge
• Birth injuries
• Anesthesia error
• Emergency room negligence.

Medical malpractice can compromise a patient’s health and, in some cases, lead to death. When a patient dies from a medical error, it becomes a wrongful death case, and the deceased’s dependents can file a lawsuit to receive compensation. Irrespective of how your medical malpractice claim comes about or the effects, our medical malpractice lawyer in Lansing, Michigan, can represent and protect your interest.

Elements of a Medical Malpractice Case

Not all medical mistakes will result in a malpractice case, nor will all injuries resulting from a treatment. This is because every medical procedure comes with a degree of risk, and the law does not require medical professionals to guarantee that patients will not suffer any harm from treatment. But they need to inform you of a treatment’s risks and get your consent to proceed.

Michigan law requires that medical professionals meet the “legally required standard of care while rendering medical treatment.” To this end, when dealing with a malpractice case, there are four elements you must prove:

• Doctor-patient relationship: You must show that the medical professional had a duty of care to you as your physician. So, you cannot sue a doctor who never treated you just because you heard them prescribe a drug to a patient with a similar medical condition. A doctor-patient relationship starts when a doctor accepts you as a patient and offers treatment or medical advice.
• Breach of the duty of care: It is essential to establish that the medical professional breached their duty by acting below the required standard of care. Here, the question is whether another doctor with similar training and qualifications in the same situation would have provided the same treatment. If yes, there is no valid claim, but if no, you can proceed to file a lawsuit.
• Causation: The failure to provide the standard of care must have led to an injury. Michigan law states that there must be a link between the medical professional’s negligence action and the harm the patient suffered. Also, negligence must be the actual and proximate cause of the injury.
• Damages: You must have suffered damages because of medical malpractice, for which the medical professional must compensate you.

Recoverable Damages in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Medical errors can have severe consequences for patients. Thankfully, the law allows affected people to recover economic and noneconomic damages. The most common examples of the two are:

• Medical bills (past, current, and future)
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Physical and mental pain and suffering
• Cost of home improvements, if any
• Cost of physical therapy, if any
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium, etc.

Michigan has a cap for noneconomic damages in medical malpractice claims. There is a lower and upper cap, and the amount changes yearly. For example, in 2023, the upper cap for noneconomic damages was $960,500, and the lower cap was increased to $537,900. The default is the lower cap; you can only receive the upper cap if you meet specific requirements.

Lansing Medical Malpractice Attorney FAQs

We receive several questions from clients about the claims process for medical malpractice. Below are some of the frequently asked ones.

What evidence do I need for a medical malpractice case?

Medical malpractice claims are challenging and require evidence to prove. The needed proof is medical records, eyewitness testimonies, damages, expert testimony, photographs, etc. The expert witness must be a licensed healthcare professional practicing or teaching in the same specialty as the defendant and have the same board certifications the defendant has (if any).

What is the worth of my medical malpractice case?

The worth of your case depends on factors like the severity of your injury, the amount of lost wages, medical expenses and other related costs, your ability to return to work, the available insurance coverage, etc. Medical malpractice settlements can run into millions of dollars.

How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Lansing, Michigan?

Under Michigan law, you have two years to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. The time starts counting from when the healthcare provider’s action (or failure to act) gave rise to the suit. You lose the right to file a lawsuit if you miss the deadline.

Can I file a medical malpractice case without a Lawyer?

Yes. However, due to the complexity of these cases, it is better to have a seasoned attorney represent you and increase your chances of fair compensation.

These may not be your only questions; our attorneys will discuss your specific concerns in your initial consult.

How Our Lansing Medical Malpractice Lawyers Can Help You

Our medical malpractice attorneys at Goodman Acker, P.C., will help you understand the intricacies of a medical malpractice case and what to expect during the claim process. We are experienced negotiators and trial lawyers, so you can count on our skills when negotiating a settlement or arguing your case in court.

We will also help you assemble the evidence to prove your claim and get the proper expert witness. Our attorneys will keep you updated throughout the case and provide emotional support. We will ensure you file your lawsuit on time and do not lose your right to compensation.

Book a Free Consultation Today!

Dealing with the aftermath of a medical error can be a lot, primarily when it affects your health and leaves you with significant medical bills. But with our legal team at Goodman Acker, P.C. providing legal guidance and representing your interest, you can focus on getting your life back while we fight for fair compensation. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about paying us upfront.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]