Washington, D.C. Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you were the victim of medical malpractice, you’re not only suffering from the effects of your injury. You’re likely also disturbed that a person or facility you entrusted with your health caused you harm instead. Where do you turn for help getting the compensation and justice you deserve?

At The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates, law and medicine converge. Our principal attorney is not only an experienced lawyer but also a proficient physician. Dr. Michael Wilson, a proud Georgetown University graduate, leverages his dual degrees in law and medicine to champion the cause of victims of medical malpractice.

With over three decades of legal experience, Dr. Wilson’s efforts have resulted in over $100 million in compensation recovered for clients. Contact us now for a free consultation about your case and how we can pursue the money and justice you deserve.

What Is the Definition of Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to uphold the standard of care their peers would in similar circumstances, injuring a patient as a result. If a patient faces harm due to medical negligence, Washington, D.C. law empowers them to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the at-fault providers to compensate for their losses.

What Are Some Different Examples of Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice can take many forms, including:

• Prescription Errors – These mistakes include prescribing incorrect medication or dosages or failing to consider the patient’s medical history and potential drug interactions.
• Anesthesia Errors – An anesthesiologist can make mistakes in the dosage, delay delivery, or fail to inform the patient about the necessary preoperative procedures.
• Misdiagnosis – Misdiagnosis can occur in the case of cancer, heart disease, stroke, pregnancy issues, infections, and more, leading to ineffective treatment and potential harm.
• Delayed Diagnosis – Delayed diagnosis happens when a doctor takes longer than is reasonable to diagnose an illness, postponing essential treatment.
• Surgical Errors – Mistakes during surgery can be harmful, such as operating on the wrong site, leaving surgical instruments in the body, or causing unnecessary damage.
• Birth Injuries – These injuries occur to a baby during birth due to medical negligence, possibly resulting in lifelong complications.
• Spinal Injuries – Medical malpractice can cause these potentially paralyzing injuries, especially during surgeries or procedures involving the spinal column.
• Failure to Diagnose or Treat – This failure occurs when a medical care professional overlooks a patient’s symptoms, resulting in a lack of treatment.
• Errors in the Emergency Room – These involve mistakes made under pressure.
• Medication Errors – These errors include administering the wrong drugs, incorrect dosage, or to a patient known to have an allergy.
• Wrongful Death – This is the unfortunate event of a patient dying due to the negligence of a healthcare provider.

What Is Necessary to Prove Medical Malpractice?

To successfully argue a medical malpractice case, you need to establish four key points:

• You had a medical relationship with the doctor – This simply means the doctor agreed to treat you, and you agreed to receive treatment. Essentially, you need to show that the doctor was indeed your doctor.
• Your doctor failed in their duty to care for you — Your doctor should have acted the way another similarly trained professional would have in the same circumstances. If they did not follow the accepted standard of care, they breached their duty to you.
• Their mistake hurt you – It’s not enough to show that the doctor made a mistake. You have to show that this error directly caused you harm. The harm could be a physical injury, emotional distress, additional medical bills, or lost work.
• You suffered because of it – Lastly, you must show that you suffered meaningful harm. This harm is not limited to physical pain. It could be emotional suffering, lost wages from missing work, or extra costs from further medical treatments.

Am I Required to Notify the Doctor or Hospital I Will Be Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?

Washington, D.C. law requires you to notify the medical professional or institution about your intention to file a malpractice claim. This notice must occur 90 days before filing the lawsuit, providing an opportunity for mediation that might avoid a trial.

What Types of Damages Might a Medical Malpractice Claim Include?

In a medical malpractice claim in Washington, D.C., you might get money for:

• Medical care expenses
• Cost of future care
• Loss of earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

Does Washington, D.C. Have Any Caps on Damage Awards in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?

Washington, D.C. does not impose any caps on damages for medical malpractice lawsuits. Victims can potentially recover the full value of the economic and non-economic losses they have suffered.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Medical Malpractice Claim in Washington, D.C.?

In Washington, D.C., you generally have three years from the date of injury to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. If you don’t discover your injury right away, this time could start on the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury. However, certain conditions may affect this timeframe. To ensure you file on time, it’s critical to promptly consult with a knowledgeable attorney.

Contact a Washington, D.C. Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you have suffered due to a healthcare professional’s negligence, you need someone to fight for you. When faced with medical malpractice claims, most personal injury law firms depend on a medical expert’s analysis, creating a breeding ground for miscommunications. However, Dr. Wilson’s unique qualifications allow him to approach both medical and legal intricacies together, eliminating any risk of such misinterpretations.

Don’t let your rights slip away. Reach out to The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates now. Allow Dr. Wilson’s unparalleled proficiency in law and medicine to be your shield and guide in this challenging time. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.