Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Lawyers Aid Victimized Patients
Western Pennsylvania firm takes on negligent doctors and hospitals
Doctors, hospitals, nurses and those who support them have a duty to help people who require medical treatment and are guided, in part, by a doctor's oath: "do no harm." When healthcare providers fall short, serious problems can ensue and you may need a diligent lawyer to secure compensation through a verdict or settlement. At Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC in Downtown Pittsburgh, we have attorneys with decades of combined legal experience and are determined to help victims of misdiagnosis, surgical errors and other forms of medical malpractice to attempt to obtain an appropriate payment while holding liable parties accountable.
Firm advises on cases stemming from surgical errors and birth injuries
Our firm's Western Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers advocate for clients in medical malpractice claims, such as those arising from:
- Medical and surgical errors — Mistakes that occur on the operating table or during some other type of treatment can cause lasting problems even when the victim is not exactly sure what occurred. Should you suspect that you were harmed by negligence on the part of a doctor, nurse or hospital, we have the resources to learn what exactly went wrong.
- Prescription problems — Prescription medications are very powerful. Accordingly, doctors and pharmacists must pay close attention in order to avoid dosage mistakes, severe side effects and dangerous drug interactions.
- Birth injuries — During childbirth, improper procedure or the use of too much force could have lifelong consequences. We handle cases involving brachial plexus injuries, loss of oxygen and other problems stemming from faulty obstetric care.
- Improper anesthesia administration — Carelessness during the administration of anesthesia might cause pain during surgery, brain damage or even death. In these matters, our firm relies on experts in the field to show where professional standards were breached. Whatever led to the harm, we attempt to get our clients the compensation they deserve to cover the medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation costs, pain, suffering and lost enjoyment of life caused by their health care provider’s carelessness.
Diligent litigators bring actions related to harmful misdiagnosis
No one can foresee the future, but doctors have a critical responsibility to diagnose serious medical problems by evaluating a patient’s symptoms and performing relevant tests. Missing one of these signs or failing to conduct a proper follow-up could make an existing problem much worse. In some situations, misdiagnosis could make conditions such as breast cancer, heart problems, prostate cancer worsen to the point where they cannot be treated effectively. If you are suffering from an ailment that you believe should have been detected earlier or if a family member died because a proper diagnosis was not made soon enough, our firm will work with medical professionals to determine if the harm could have been averted or minimized.
Diligent attorneys outline the process for filing a medical malpractice claims
Pennsylvania law requires a medical malpractice victim, or the estate representative of someone who has died, to initiate litigation within two years of the date the harm occurred. However, in situations where the harmful act might not be readily apparent, the discovery rule allows the statute of limitations to be tolled until a reasonable person would become aware of the medical negligence. After seven years have passed since the ostensible malpractice, claims can no longer be filed. Within 60 days of when the complaint is filed, a certificate of merit must be submitted declaring that an appropriate licensed professional has reviewed the plaintiff’s allegations and found that there is a reasonable probability that malpractice has occurred.
Contact a diligent Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer to set up a free consultation
Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC defends individuals in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases throughout the Pittsburgh area. Please call 1.800.GET.PHIL or contact us online for a free initial consultation.