Altoona Medical Malpractice Attorneys

When you visit a private practice, hospital, or any other medical facility, you are trusting that its professionals are qualified to diagnose and treat your injury or condition properly. Unfortunately, negligent healthcare providers do exist, and their actions can lead to severe consequences for their patients.

If you suspect that you or a loved one sustained an injury or loss due to medical negligence, you should contact us right away. Our Altoona medical malpractice attorneys are among the top 1% of all lawyers in Pennsylvania and are committed to providing you with full compensation for your losses.

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(412) 247-7300

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or any other healthcare professional injures a patient through an act of negligence or omission. This lapse might be the result of misdiagnoses, surgical errors, or poor aftercare and health management.

For a medical malpractice claim to become valid under the law, it must have these characteristics:

Violation of Healthcare Standards

The law acknowledges the regulations set by every profession in the healthcare industry. Many call this the standard of care.

Every patient has the right to expect medical professionals to provide care that matches these standards. Failing to do so means that we then can establish negligence. 

The Negligence Led to an Injury

Simply violating the standard of care is not enough to make a medical malpractice claim valid. We also must prove that the plaintiff sustained an injury that wouldn’t have happened if there was no negligence.

The Injury Caused Significant Damages

Another requirement for a case to be viable is that the patient’s injury led to significant damages. Our Altoona medical malpractice attorneys will work hard to seek compensation for you or your loved one’s: 

• Loss of physical or mental function
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Past, present, and future medical bills

The Most Common Examples of Medical Malpractice

At Frischman & Rizza, we have taken on numerous medical malpractice cases for Altoona residents, and frequent ones we encounter include:

Failure to Diagnose

Failure to diagnose is a form of malpractice where a medical professional fails to take the necessary measures to determine the patient’s ailment. For example, a person might display various symptoms, but their doctor misses their connection with the underlying condition.

Medication Mistakes

Medication errors come in different forms. For instance, doctors might fail to review their patient’s current treatment for potential interactions and prescribe the wrong drug. Nurses may administer an unsafe dose, or pharmacists might give the wrong prescription. Any of these lapses can have severe consequences and qualify as malpractice.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors are fairly common because many major procedures require anesthetics. If the attending anesthesiologist administers the wrong drug or uses too much or too little, it can cause respiratory distress, neurological complications, and even wrongful death.

Surgical Errors

While patients have to accept certain risks related to their treatment, they still have a right to file a personal injury lawsuit when their doctor makes a mistake. We can claim negligence if the attending physician:

• Failed to follow the proper sterilization measures
• Accidentally punctured major organs or blood vessels
• Conducted the wrong procedure
• Left a tool inside the patient
• Operated on a different patient
• Performed on a different site

Birth Injuries

Errors that involve labor and delivery are doubly dangerous because they can harm both mother and child. Since some symptoms can manifest years after delivery, proving liability in these cases without an experienced attorney can be challenging.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims?

Victims of medical malpractice have two years after incurring their injury to file a claim. There are, however, a few exemptions. Pennsylvania has a “discovery rule” that can extend your time for filing a medical malpractice action.

This law indicates that the statute of limitation on bringing claims won’t start until the victim discovers – or should have discovered – their injury or loss. Essentially, it replaces the date when the act of negligence caused their loss.

If you’re unsure whether your case is still within the statute of limitations, feel free to call our Altoona medical malpractice attorneys for a complimentary consultation.

What Evidence Do I Need to Gather for My Malpractice Case?

In many cases, victims won’t be able to gather sufficient evidence to document negligence in a malpractice case. An attorney will likely have more freedom to access medical records and other relevant information.

Our Altoona medical malpractice attorneys are experienced with this form of litigation and will know what to collect for your case.

Do I Really Need Legal Representation for My Malpractice Case?

Most medical malpractice claims are notoriously difficult to prove. Without proper experience and knowledge in law and medicine, it can be very challenging for victims and their family members to file a claim against the offending party – especially if they’re backed by powerful legal teams and large insurers. A law office with years of experience will have a deep understanding of a malpractice case’s many intricacies.

Our Firm Helps Victims of Medical Malpractice

If you want to file a claim against a healthcare provider or facility in Altoona, Pennsylvania, turn to Frischman & Rizza. Our legal team is dedicated to helping victims of medical malpractice seek compensation for their loss.

We handle every personal injury matter on a contingency fee basis, which means you’re not obligated to pay for our services if we don’t win your case.

Call us today at (412) 247-7300 to schedule a free consultation with our Altoona medical malpractice attorneys.

About Altoona, PA

Altoona is Pennsylvania’s 12th most populous city, with over 42 thousand residents. Originally a railroad city, Altoona has continuously grown since 1849 and is even home to the largest wooden rollercoaster!

The area’s leading healthcare providers include UPMC Altoona, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona, and the Veterans Hospital.