Medical Malpractice Attorney in Washington Answers Medical Malpractice FAQs

Medical malpractice can be responsible for not only exacerbating an existing injury, but also for causing an injury that did not exist before seeking medical care. A medical malpractice attorney from the Washington firm of Phillips & Webster can help you in these often very complex cases. Our lawyers are experienced in taking on big hospitals, and we have the skill and tenacity to aggressively pursue damages for physical, emotional, and financial distress that may have been caused by medical malpractice. Here are the answers to some frequently asked medical malpractice questions. Contact Phillips & Webster today if you have more questions, or if you would like to set up a free consultation to review your case.

• Are all complications from medical care considered malpractice?
• Who can sue for medical malpractice?
• Can I file a medical malpractice lawsuit if I sign an informed consent form?
• What is the statute of limitations on medical malpractice lawsuits in Washington?
• How will a medical malpractice attorney build my case?
• What is my medical malpractice case worth?
• How can I contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Washington?

Are all complications from medical care considered malpractice?

No. Medical malpractice, or medical negligence, occurs when anyone involved with your medical care fails to provide reasonable care, which results in injury or death to the patient. Reasonable care is the standard of care that any other qualified medical provider would take under the same or similar circumstances. Medical malpractice can take many forms, including: failure to diagnose, surgical error, prescribing the wrong medicine, and delayed treatment. Learn more about Washington laws regarding medical malpractice.

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Who can sue for medical malpractice?

The injured party or family members who have lost a loved one whom they believe was the victim of medical malpractice are eligible to file suit against the person or entity responsible. State and federal medical malpractice laws can be very complex, and there are statutes of limitations (detailed later on this page) and other factors involved in filing a lawsuit. Consult our wrongful death page for more information concerning cases where malpractice may have lead to the death of a loved one, or contact a medical malpractice attorney at our Washington firm for a free case review.

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Can I file a medical malpractice lawsuit if I sign an informed consent form?

An informed consent form does not free a medical care provider from liability if they are negligent. By signing an informed consent form, you are merely "agreeing" to treatment, after the risks and benefits and necessity of that treatment have been explained to you in detail. Signing the form does not absolve caregivers from responsibility should they make mistakes.

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What is the statute of limitations on medical malpractice lawsuits in Washington?

The statute of limitations for filing medical malpractice claims in Washington varies with the type of case and the age of the victim, however, there will very definitely come a time when the option to file a lawsuit will expire. Generally, the statute of limitations is set at three years after the incident of malpractice may have taken place; however, Washington law takes into account the fact that symptoms may not develop or be noticed until long after the original event. Learn more about the medical malpractice statute of limitations in Washington.

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How will a medical malpractice attorney build my case?

A medical malpractice attorney at our Washington firm will help build your case by gathering all the evidence related to your medical care in order to prove that the healthcare provider was negligent in your treatment, causing injury or exacerbating an existing injury. This will include locating expert witnesses in a similar medical specialty who can testify on the reasonable care involved in the type of procedure you had undergone, or witnesses to the actual event. Learn more about building your medical malpractice case.

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What is my medical malpractice case worth?

Every case is different, and monetary worth would depend on the circumstances of your medical malpractice claim. Damages can be sought on grounds of physical and emotional distress, as well as past and future loss of wages and other issues. Under Washington State law, there are some limitations and rules regarding the type of compensation a plaintiff is entitled to. Consult our page devoted to financial entitlements in medical malpractice cases for more information.

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How can I contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Washington?

Visit our contact page and schedule a free case evaluation. A medical malpractice attorney at the Washington firm of Phillips & Webster can review your case and discuss your options with you.

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