Medical Malpractice Attorney In Negaunee, Michigan
When you put your health in the hands of a doctor, nurse or health care facility, you trust that they will do right by you. Unfortunately, there are some professionals whose negligence results in serious injuries or illnesses.
If you believe that you suffered medical malpractice at the hands of your doctor or another practitioner, Waara Law can help you. I’m Jonny L. Waara, the firm’s founding attorney. I have 29 years of legal practice advocating for the rights of patients throughout the Upper Peninsula.
Common Types Of Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical negligence can happen across various health care settings throughout Negaunee and the Upper Peninsula. I have handled cases involving emergency room errors, hospital-acquired infections like MRSA, and surgical mistakes, including wrong-site surgeries and foreign objects left inside patients.
Nursing home cases often involve:
- Medication errors and harmful drug interactions
- Neglect leading to bedsores and preventable falls
- Failure to provide adequate supervision and care
Birth injuries represent heartbreaking situations where doctors fail to monitor fetal distress or misuse delivery instruments, causing cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy in newborns. Mothers can suffer complications when warning signs of preeclampsia go unrecognized.
Other professionals whose negligence I pursue include pharmacists dispensing wrong medications, dentists causing nerve damage, and cardiologists who misread tests or fail to order necessary cardiac screenings.
Understanding Medical Malpractice: What You Need To Know
Many people believe any bad medical outcome equals malpractice, but this is incorrect. Medical malpractice occurs when health care providers deviate from accepted standards of care, directly causing patient harm.
The standard of care refers to treatment levels that reasonably competent providers would give under similar circumstances. Medical guidelines and testimony from qualified professionals in the same field determine this standard.
Common concerns I hear from Negaunee residents include “I don’t want to hurt my doctor’s career” or “It’s too hard to sue a doctor.” These worries are understandable but should not prevent you from seeking justice.
Consequences And Compensation
Medical negligence can cause permanent disabilities requiring lifelong care, organ damage necessitating transplants, nerve damage causing chronic pain, and infections like sepsis from unrecognized warning signs.
Michigan law allows compensation for:
- Future medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Loss of earning capacity and past wages
- Pain and suffering from physical and emotional distress
- Loss of consortium affecting family relationships
The compensation amount depends on injury severity, age, earning capacity and ongoing medical needs. As a personal injury lawyer, I work with professionals to calculate your claim’s full value, including future costs.
The Medical Malpractice Claims Process
Filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan requires following specific procedures and meeting strict deadlines. Michigan law requires an Affidavit of Merit, meaning qualified medical professionals must review your case and confirm malpractice likely occurred before I can file your lawsuit.
The process begins with gathering complete medical records and having them reviewed. Once I establish malpractice occurred, I file your complaint in appropriate Michigan courts. Discovery follows, where both sides exchange information through depositions and document requests.
Many cases settle during negotiations without trial. However, if insurance companies refuse fair compensation, I am prepared to take your case before judges and juries. Throughout this process, I keep you informed and explain each step clearly.
Dedicated Negaunee Medical Malpractice Representation
I have spent 29 years fighting for injured patients throughout the Upper Peninsula, and I understand the unique challenges of practicing law in this region. My knowledge of local healthcare systems and Michigan courts gives me an advantage when building your case.
Medical malpractice cases require extensive investigation and the ability to work with qualified medical professionals who can explain complex medical issues to judges and juries. I have developed relationships with trusted medical professionals throughout Michigan who can provide the testimony needed to prove your case.
At Waara Law, I have earned a reputation throughout Michigan for my strong, no-nonsense approach to handling my cases. I handle all varieties of medical negligence, including:
- Failure to diagnose
- Failure to order tests
- Birth injuries
- Prescription medication errors
- Surgical errors
- Failure to obtain informed consent
My approach to medical malpractice cases is tough, smart and focused on achieving results. I know that insurance companies will try to minimize your claim or deny it entirely, which is why I prepare every case as if it will go to trial.
When you choose Waara Law, you get an attorney who will personally handle your case and give you the attention you deserve. I serve clients throughout Negaunee, the Upper Peninsula and Northeast Wisconsin, and I understand the impact that medical negligence can have on families in the community.
Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice
At Waara Law, I know that if you were further injured by a health care provider, you probably have a lot of questions. After decades in practice, I have gathered a few of the most common questions I get asked and provided the answers here. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, I offer free case evaluations and consultations.
How do I know if I have a valid medical malpractice claim?
To secure a valid medical malpractice claim, you should be able to prove a few key factors. First, there must be a doctor-patient relationship. This means that you hired the medical professional, and they agreed to treat you. Next, you need to prove that your doctor was negligent. In order to prove that a doctor was negligent, you will have to prove that they did not meet the same standard of care that a competent doctor would have provided under similar circumstances.
In addition, you also need to demonstrate that their negligence directly caused your injury, not just that you were unhappy with the treatment. Finally, the injury must have led to specific damages such as additional medical bills, lost wages or pain and suffering. At Waara Law, I can help you evaluate your potential medical malpractice claims to determine if you have a case.
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Michigan?
In Michigan, there is a deadline, or statute of limitations, for filing a medical malpractice claim. In general, you have two years from the date of the alleged malpractice to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, sometimes, injuries are not discovered right away. If time passes before you realize that you were injured, you will have six months from the date you discovered, or should have discovered, the injury to file a claim.
It is important to note that even with this delay in the discovery rule, you cannot file a lawsuit more than six years after the malpractice occurred. There are additional exceptions. Some of these exceptions include cases involving minors or those with mental incapacities, which may extend these time limits. Because these rules can be complex, it’s wise to consult with a knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer who can help you understand and meet all of the necessary filing deadlines.
How does the process of filing a medical malpractice lawsuit work?
Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit involves several key steps. These include:
- Initial review: I gather your medical records and consult with medical professionals to assess your claim’s validity
- Filing complaint: Once I establish a strong case, I file your complaint in the appropriate Michigan court
- Discovery phase: Both parties exchange information through depositions, interrogatories and document requests
- Resolution: Most cases settle during negotiations, but if needed, I will take your case to trial before a judge or jury
Throughout this process, I will guide you and help you understand each step while advocating for your best interests.
Speak With A Michigan Medical Malpractice Lawyer For Free
If you believe that you have a medical malpractice claim against a doctor for negligence, reach out to me at Waara Law, as soon as possible. I offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation and case evaluation, which gives you a chance to ask questions about your case. To schedule your free appointment, call me locally at 906-351-5545 or send me a message through my website. I have an office in Negaunee and look forward to answering your questions and telling you more about how I can help you with your case.