Medical Malpractice Awards in Washington State

The effects of medical malpractice can be long-lasting, and sometimes fatal. Physical debilitation and emotional suffering can persist for years, and possibly for the rest of your life. This can have a devastating impact on your resources and livelihood. In the Seattle, Bellevue, and Everett areas, the medical malpractice attorneys at Phillips & Webster have a distinguished record of prosecuting cases involving medical negligence, and are highly knowledgeable regarding the intricacies of Washington medical malpractice law. Our medical malpractice lawyers can review your claim, help you build a case, and take the responsible parties to court. If you suspect that you or someone you love may be eligible to obtain medical malpractice awards in Seattle or elsewhere in Washington State, read on to learn about your rights.

• Damages Covered by Medical Malpractice Awards
• Collateral Source Rule in Washington State

Damages Covered by Medical Malpractice Awards

If you feel that you or a loved one has been injured as the result of negligence at the hands of a medical professional, you may be eligible to obtain medical malpractice awards under Washington state law. You may be eligible for monetary damages to cover past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, disability or disfigurement, past and future loss of wages, and more. If your medical malpractice claim is the result of the wrongful death of a loved one, you may also be eligible for compensation for the loss of financial support, loss of insurance benefits, loss of marriage benefits, end-of-life costs, and more.

While there is no cap on non-economic damages to which victims are entitled in the state of Washington, medical malpractice awards may not exceed an amount determined by a formula that is based on the plaintiff's average annual wage and life expectancy. Furthermore, if the amount of the medical malpractice awards conferred upon Washington State plaintiffs is in excess of $100,000, a judge may rule that the defendant can make periodic payments, rather than paying the whole sum at one time. Contact our law firm for more information on compensation for medical malpractice victims, as the laws surrounding medical malpractice awards can be confusing. With offices in Seattle, Bellevue, and Woodinville, we can help victims throughout the state understand their rights.

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Collateral Source Rule in Washington State

The purpose of the collateral source rule regarding medical malpractice awards in Washington State is to prevent duplicate payments by the defendant and/or the defendant's insurance provider or employer. Under the collateral source rule, the plaintiff must disclose any compensation already obtained from the defendant's insurance or employer. If the plaintiff has obtained compensation from his or her own insurance policy, employer, or personal or family assets, however, this information does not have to be disclosed and is not applicable to his or her medical malpractice case against the defendant.

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Learn More about Medical Malpractice Awards from Seattle Area Attorneys

At Phillips & Webster, our attorneys understand that there is no financial compensation that can atone for the personal injury or death of a loved one that can result from medical malpractice. However, we hope that the medical malpractice awards garnered by our clients in Seattle and across Washington State help ease their financial burden and help them to move on with the healing process. If you suspect that you or someone you love has been the victim of medical negligence and may be eligible to obtain medical malpractice awards, we urge you to contact our attorneys for a complimentary review of your case.

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