Bridgeport Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical Malpractice Attorney in Bridgeport, WV

It’s perfectly normal to put a great deal of trust in medical professionals and licensed healthcare workers. It’s not hyperbole to say that you may sometimes put your life in their hands. That’s a great deal of power. If a medical professional were to abuse or misuse that power, people could get hurt or even die. A Bridgeport medical malpractice lawyer can help you take legal action when necessary.

The legal team at Hansberry & Wagoner, PLLC knows how hard it can be to navigate a medical malpractice case on your own without legal support. West Virginia’s medical malpractice laws may not be easy to work through without help. That’s one of many reasons why you should hire a Bridgeport medical malpractice attorney to help you through this. An experienced personal injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to recover.

Our legal team has over 30 years of combined experience assisting clients just like you. We understand the laws and court systems in Bridgeport, and we can use that knowledge in your favor. We know how to help.

Common Examples of Medical Malpractice in Bridgeport

If you were to file a medical malpractice case in Bridgeport and pursue legal action, your case would be handled by the Harrison County Circuit Court. The courthouse can be found in nearby Clarksburg on West Main Street. Before you decide to move forward with legal action, you need to make sure that your case adheres to the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases in West Virginia, which is generally two years from the date of the initial incident.

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet a recognized standard of care, which directly causes a patient’s injury or death. In 2022 alone, there were 35 medical malpractice cases in the state and more than $18.7 million given in payouts to victims who were successful in their cases. Here are some of the most common medical malpractice situations that can occur:

• Surgical errors. Unfortunately, every surgery comes with a risk of injury or death. However, a surgical error that leads to a malpractice case involves negligence, incompetence, or grievous error. These can include operating on the wrong body part, performing the wrong procedure entirely, or even leaving surgical equipment inside a patient once the procedure has been completed. 
• Misdiagnosis. One of the most common and often most devastating forms of medical malpractice can be a doctor’s failure to properly diagnose a condition. If you are misdiagnosed, you may receive the wrong medication or no medication at all. Your condition may get worse. It could even progress to the point where it’s incurable, all because your doctor diagnosed you incorrectly.
• Medication errors. Prescription medication can be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, and those hands can be yours if you are prescribed the wrong medication. There are many ways that a doctor or a pharmacist can cause a medication error. The resulting damage to your body from taking the wrong medication, taking the wrong dosage, or failing to account for certain side effects can be catastrophic.
• Anesthesia mistakes. Many surgeries require you to be unconscious during the procedure. It often falls to the hospital’s anesthesiologist to administer the correct dosage. Unfortunately, anesthesiologists can make mistakes. They can give you too much anesthesia, which could kill you, or not enough, which could cause you to be conscious during the operation. Failure to monitor your oxygen levels can result in brain damage.
• Birth injuries. Birth injuries can be one of the most emotionally devastating forms of medical malpractice. A doctor or nurse’s negligence during childbirth can result in permanent defects and neurological conditions like cerebral palsy. 

FAQs About Medical Malpractice Law

Is It Worth Taking Legal Action Against a Doctor for Malpractice?

Ultimately, you’re the only one who can decide if a medical malpractice case is worth it. Generally, if you have sustained permanent, significant, and provable damages because of a healthcare professional’s negligence, you should seriously consider speaking with a medical malpractice lawyer and moving forward with legal action. These cases can be very difficult to see through to the end, but hiring a good lawyer can be a solid start.

What Is the Cap on Medical Malpractice in West Virginia?

While there is no cap on what you can recover in economic damages in a medical malpractice case in West Virginia, the cap on non-economic damages is generally $250,000. If you suffer a catastrophic injury as a result of medical malpractice, the cap is generally $500,000. If the jury decides that your healthcare professional’s actions were particularly cruel or malicious, you may also be awarded punitive damages, which are generally twice your damages.

What Is the Average Medical Negligence Payout in West Virginia?

There is no telling what the average medical negligence payout is in West Virginia. Every case is different, and the payout is ultimately determined by the facts of each case. The more catastrophic the injury is and the more provable the malpractice is, the higher the likelihood of a considerable payout. Wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases tend to result in the highest settlements. You should hire a medical malpractice lawyer for the optimal outcome in your case.

Should I Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer?

Yes, you should hire a medical malpractice lawyer. You don’t want to pursue a case like this on your own without experienced legal help. Healthcare professionals tend to push back on medical malpractice cases, as a public loss could threaten their livelihood. Be prepared for quite a challenge. Having the right legal help in your corner can give you a stronger chance to succeed in your case. At the very least, it can give you peace of mind.

Be Sure to Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

At Hansberry & Wagoner, PLLC, we can assist you in building your case, gathering evidence that supports you, making sure your case adheres to the statute of limitations, and protecting your interests from anyone who may try to discredit you. Contact us to speak with someone on our team about your case.