best Chicago malpractice attorney

Medical care is a critical aspect of our lives, and we trust healthcare professionals to provide the highest standard of care. However, there are times when medical treatment falls short or mistakes are made, leading to serious harm or even death.

When that happens, it’s worth pursuing whether or not you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice. The question we got a lot is when is it the right time to hire a medical malpractice attorney.

The short answer is right away. That doesn’t mean you are actually “hiring” them, but having a consultation to see if there’s a case worth investigating. Even if a case seems like a slam dunk, these cases are always fought. The initial investigation to see if you even have a case usually lasts six or more months.

That said, these are things we as lawyers advise you to think about.

Recognizing Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, causing injury or harm to the patient. Common examples include:
• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Failure to diagnose a condition correctly or in a timely manner can result in harm that could have been prevented with proper treatment.
• Surgical Errors: Mistakes during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving surgical instruments inside the body, can have severe consequences.
• Medication Errors: Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage can lead to adverse reactions or ineffective treatment.
• Birth Injuries: Negligence during childbirth can result in injuries to both the mother and the baby, such as cerebral palsy or other permanent disabilities.

These aren’t all of the potential cases, but some of the main causes that could lead to a case.

Things To Know When Hiring a Medical Malpractice Attorney

1. Significant Injury or Harm
   If you or a loved one has suffered a significant injury due to medical negligence, it is essential to consult with a medical malpractice attorney. Significant injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and can result in long-term or permanent disability or death. An attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. That doesn’t mean malpractice hasn’t happened if your injury isn’t serious. But as these cases are very expensive and require a lot of work, the honest truth is that lawyers are looking for claims that involve bigger injuries.
2. Complex Medical Evidence
   Medical malpractice cases involve complex medical evidence and require a deep understanding of medical terminology and standards of care. An experienced attorney has access to medical experts who can review your case, provide expert testimony, and strengthen your claim. Without this expertise, proving negligence can be challenging. A lot of lawyers say they handle these cases, but the biggest verdicts every year seem to mostly be handled by a group of 10 or so top Illinois law firms.
3. Disputed Liability
   Insurance companies and healthcare providers will dispute liability in medical malpractice cases. They may argue that the injury was a known risk of the procedure or that it resulted from a pre-existing condition. A skilled attorney can counter these arguments, gather evidence, and build a compelling case to establish liability.
4. Statute of Limitations
   Medical malpractice claims are subject to strict statutes of limitations, which in Illinois can be as little as two years from when the malpractice happened. These laws set the time frame within which you must file a lawsuit. Failing to file within this period will result in losing your right to bring a lawsuit. An attorney will ensure that all deadlines are met and that your case is filed correctly and promptly.
   
5. The Role of a Medical Malpractice Attorney
   A medical malpractice attorney does a lot of work including:
   • Case Evaluation: They will evaluate the merits of your case, determining whether you have a viable claim.
   • Expert Consultation: Attorneys work with medical experts to review your medical records and provide critical insights.
   • Legal Strategy: They develop a comprehensive legal strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.
   • Negotiation and Litigation: Whether negotiating a settlement or representing you in court, your attorney will advocate vigorously on your behalf.
   
   Medical malpractice can have devastating consequences, but you don’t have to navigate the legal complexities alone. If you believe you have been a victim of medical negligence, please call us at 312-346-5320 to speak with an attorney for free and in confidence. We will do whatever we can to help you.

See also: 20 Illinois Medical Malpractice Examples

Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate, found only in the male body. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Most of us know someone who has had or currently has prostate cancer. It is one of the most common types of cancer. Prostate cancers can grow slowly, stay in the prostate gland, and not cause much harm. However, other types of prostate cancer are much more aggressive and can quickly spread. Early detection is critical because the best chance for successful treatment is when the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate gland. It’s when it’s not caught early, but should be that you may have a medical malpractice lawsuit in Illinois.

Urologists and primary care doctors should offer prostate cancer screenings to their male patients starting at age 50. For those men who are at a higher risk (for example, they have a family history of prostate cancer), screenings should be offered before age 50. For most men, screenings every 2-3 years is appropriate, but that can vary based on the results of your first screening.

There are two tests doctors use to detect prostate cancer. Both are simple and can be performed during a doctor’s office visit.

One is the PSA test. That is a prostate-specific antigen blood test. It measures a protein in the blood that is usually high if there is a prostate problem. However, this protein isn’t always elevated when cancer is present. So a second test, a DRE, or digital rectal exam, is also needed. The doctor manually examines the patient’s prostate for irregularities such as unusual size, texture, and shape.

Usually the process of prostate cancer detection and treatment goes smoothly. Unfortunately though, we have seen our share of medical malpractice cases due to doctor error. Those medical mistakes that delay the diagnosis of prostate cancer include the failure to:

• Offer (or at least recommend) routine prostate cancer screening

• Offer (or at least recommend) early prostate cancer screening for men at an increase risk
• Order a PSA test
• Perform a digital rectal exam
• Follow up thoroughly on PSA test results
• Investigate any suspicious findings from the tests

Because early detection and treatment is so important, a medical mistake (i.e. preventable delay) can cause a severe negative impact on the patient. Injuries from the failure to diagnose prostate cancer can include:

• Death
• Inoperable cancer
• Much more aggressive, invasive, and/or expensive treatment than would have been necessary (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy)
• Extreme pain
• Loss of sexual function
• Much longer recovery time
• Lost wages from being unable to work
• Long-term disability or permanent disability

We’ve been involved in a lot of lawsuits for failure to diagnose prostate cancer. The most common reason seems to be a failure to follow up on a high PSA test result. An experienced attorney who has successfully handled these failure-to-diagnose cases can help you or a loved one get the justice and compensation you deserve.

There is no cost to start an investigation into a case and we only get paid if we are successful. If you’d like to discuss a case, please call us any time at 312-346-5320 to speak with a lawyer for free.