Chattanooga Medical Malpractice

There are numerous medical facilities in the Chattanooga area where Hamilton County residents seek treatment. Local hospitals include Kindred Hospital, Parkridge Medical Center, CHI Memorial, and those within the Erlanger Health System. For the purposes of a medical malpractice claim, a health care or medical professional can include anyone involved in the treatment process, such as doctors and nurses. The Tennessee Health Care Liability Act establishes the laws regarding malpractice claims within the Volunteer State. The Act defines medical malpractice and establishes temporal limitations on when a patient can commence a lawsuit against a medical provider.

A wide range of situations could lead to a lawsuit for medical negligence or malpractice, including:

• Failing to diagnose a condition such as cancer
• Misdiagnosing a medical condition
• Improper treatment
• Failing to warn a patient of known risks
• Unnecessary surgery
• Premature discharge
• Foreign object left inside a patient
• Surgical errors

To prevail on a medical malpractice claim in Tennessee, a plaintiff must first show that a doctor-patient relationship existed. Second, the plaintiff must show that the medical care provider acted negligently, or acted below the appropriate medical standard of care. The applicable standard of care depends on numerous factors, including the patient’s age and medical history and the generally accepted medical standard in the community. Third, the plaintiff must show that the doctor’s conduct, which may include an affirmative act or omission, caused the injury. Finally, the injury must have resulted in actual damages, which could include wrongful death.

If a doctor or medical provider did not correctly spot warning signs or properly diagnose your condition, you should speak with a medical malpractice lawyer in the Chattanooga area today. Our office has the resources to obtain medical records and consult with expert witnesses to investigate what happened and prove liability. Further, we have trial experience and may be able to file a lawsuit on your behalf. In “med mal” cases that result in an individual passing away or becoming paralyzed, blinded, or otherwise seriously injured or disfigured, victims can recover compensatory damages. For starters, non-economic losses may be recovered, such as loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In addition, a plaintiff may recover economic damages, which include past and future medical care expenses, loss of income and future earning capacity, and other financial losses.