Carpenter & Zuckerman Carpenter & Zuckerman
PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

WINNING CASES SINCE 1920

Bellevue Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Representing Injured Patients in Washington

When you need medical care, you trust that your healthcare provider will prioritize your safety and well-being. Unfortunately, medical errors can and do occur, leaving patients grappling with serious injuries, worsened illnesses, or even life-changing consequences. When such a mistake reasonably could have been avoided by a different medical provider in the same situation, it might constitute medical malpractice. 

Do you think you have been injured due to medical malpractice from a medical provider in Bellevue, Washington, or the surrounding area? Come to Carpenter & Zuckerman to discuss the situation with highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys and trial lawyers. We can see if your medical injury was caused by medical malpractice and what to do next if it was. Let us fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve to rebuild your life after a life-changing injury or medical complication.

To learn more about why so many people trust us with their injury claims, we invite you to visit our:

Call our Bellevue medical malpractice lawyers at Carpenter & Zuckerman and request a free case review now.

Types of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice comes in many forms, and these errors can occur at any stage of care. According to certain research, it is so common that it might be the leading cause of preventable death in the country.

Common types of medical malpractice include:

  • Surgical Errors: Mistakes during surgery, such as operating on the wrong site, leaving surgical instruments inside the body, or performing unnecessary procedures.
  • Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Failing to correctly identify a condition or delaying the diagnosis long enough to cause harm.
  • Medication Errors: Prescribing or administering incorrect medications, improper dosages, or failing to review potential drug interactions.
  • Birth Injuries: Negligence during childbirth that can harm the mother, baby, or both, including incidents of oxygen deprivation and nerve damage.
  • Anesthesia Mistakes: Giving the wrong dosage or failing to properly monitor the patient while under anesthesia can have fatal consequences.
  • Failure to Treat: Dismissing symptoms, providing inadequate care, or delaying life-saving treatments.

Each case of medical malpractice is unique, but they all share a common thread of preventable errors that harm patients.

How Medical Malpractice Happens

Medical malpractice is often the result of a combination of preventable factors, which may include the following:

  • Healthcare Professional Negligence: Careless errors made by doctors, nurses, surgeons, or other staff, such as failing to adhere to standard procedures or misreading test results.
  • Systemic Failures in Medical Facilities: Understaffing, improper employee training, and poor communication between departments can all contribute to patient harm.
  • Defective or Faulty Medical Equipment: Devices or tools that malfunction or are improperly maintained can lead to devastating consequences.

Uncovering the root cause of malpractice is important to prepare a strong case. Our legal team works meticulously to identify sources of negligence, so we can find out who is liable for your losses.

Who Is Liable for Medical Malpractice?

Determining liability in medical malpractice cases is often complex. Is one individual medical practitioner to blame for your injuries? Or did medical malpractice occur due to a larger failure in the medical system? Our Bellevue medical malpractice attorneys ask these questions and more when investigating the cause of medical errors and determining what party or parties should be liable. 

Depending on the circumstances, several parties may be held responsible, including:

  • Doctors and Surgeons: For errors made in diagnosis, treatment, or surgical procedures.
  • Hospitals and Clinics: For systemic issues such as unqualified staff, poor facility management, or unsafe practices.
  • Nurses and Medical Technicians: For errors made during patient care or in handling diagnostic tests.
  • Pharmaceutical Companies: For harm caused by defective drugs or insufficient warnings about side effects.

Elements of Medical Malpractice

Proving medical malpractice usually requires demonstrating four critical elements in court:

  1. Duty of Care: The healthcare provider owed a duty to deliver competent medical care that meets acceptable standards to the patient.
  2. Breach of Duty: The provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care expected in similar circumstances.
  3. Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the patient’s injury or worsened their condition.
  4. Damages: The patient suffered measurable losses, such as medical expenses, pain, emotional suffering, or lost wages, as a result of the malpractice.

Can a Successful Medical Malpractice Claim Pay for Future Corrective Medical Care?

Yes, compensation from a medical malpractice claim often includes coverage for future healthcare needs. If the malpractice has caused lasting injuries or health problems, a successful claim can provide compensation for the care you need to move forward at no additional cost to you. We know that it might be difficult to trust another medical provider to help you after suffering from medical malpractice, but we hope that if we win your case, you’ll feel more confident in getting the continued medical care you need.

Common future damages in a medical malpractice claim include:

  • Corrective Surgeries or Treatments: To address injuries caused by the initial malpractice.
  • Long-Term Rehabilitation or Therapy: Physical, occupational, or psychological support to aid your recovery.
  • Ongoing Medical Costs: For chronic conditions, medications, or assistive devices required as a direct result of the malpractice.

We Always Welcome New Clients – Call Now for Help

Medical malpractice can shatter your trust in a medical provider and leave you with significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. At Carpenter & Zuckerman in Bellevue, we are committed to standing by your side to seek justice and hold negligent parties accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Our compassionate attorneys understand the stakes and are prepared to fight for the compensation you need, even if it means going to court.

Talk to our medical malpractice trial lawyers now. Just dial (425) 585-4009 and request a free case review.

$131 Million Dram Shop Liability
Our client was injured in a car accident caused by a driver who was over-served at a restaurant/bar.
  • $2.5 Million Slip & Fall
  • $12 Million Brain Injury
  • $17 Million Brain Injury

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Will my truck accident injury be completely covered?

    Whether your truck accident injury will be completely covered in Washington State depends on several factors, including the specifics of your insurance coverage, the liability of the parties involved, and the extent of your injuries.

    1. Insurance Coverage:

      • Your Own Insurance: In Washington State, auto insurance policies often include personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP can help cover medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who was at fault in the accident. However, the coverage limits and terms can vary depending on your policy.
      • Liability Insurance: The truck driver's liability insurance should cover your injuries if the truck driver was at fault. Commercial trucking companies are typically required to carry substantial liability insurance coverage. However, insurance limits can vary, and it's possible that the policy may not fully cover your damages if they are extensive.

    2. Liability Determination:

      • If the truck driver was at fault for the accident, their liability insurance should cover your injuries up to their policy limits.
      • If you were partially at fault for the accident, Washington follows a comparative negligence system. Your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your level of fault. If you were 50% or more at fault, you might not be able to recover damages from the other party.

    3. Injury Severity:

      • The extent and severity of your injuries will play a significant role in determining whether your medical expenses and other damages will be fully covered. Minor injuries may be fully covered, while severe injuries may exhaust insurance policy limits.

    4. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage:

      • If the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured, you may rely on your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if you have it. UM/UIM coverage can provide compensation when the responsible party lacks adequate insurance.

    5. Legal Action:

      • If insurance coverage is insufficient to fully compensate you for your injuries and damages, you may consider pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties. This can help you seek additional compensation through the legal system.
  • Should I talk to Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance policy provider about the claim and compensation?
    While it may seem logical to discuss your accident and potential claim with Uber's or Lyft's insurance provider, it's not recommended to do so without legal representation. Insurance companies are businesses aiming to minimize payouts, and their representatives are trained to gather information that could potentially limit or deny your claim. Therefore, you should let an experienced rideshare accident attorney from our firm handle all communications with the insurance company.
  • Do I need to be physically attacked to file a civil action?
    No. You can file a lawsuit if a person has made you reasonably fear for your safety.
  • How long do birth injury cases take to resolve?
    The time it takes to resolve a case like this depends on numerous factors. These cases can generally go on for several months to several years. Settling out of court tends to lead to faster resolutions.
  • Can a third party be responsible for my injuries in a car accident?
    Yes, if they are responsible for causing the accident. For example, if a defective part leads to an accident, you may be able to seek compensation from the part's manufacturer.
  • Does Washington have a one-bite rule?
    No. You can seek damages against a dog owner regardless of the dog's history.
  • What damages can I recover in a surgical error case?
    You may be entitled to various damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and more.
  • How long will it take to resolve my case?
    While we cannot give you a specific figure, we can tell you that these cases generally resolve within a few months to several years. Once we know more about your case, we may be able to give you a more specific estimate.
  • How long do work injury lawsuits take to resolve?
    There is no reliable figure that we can give you; however, most of these lawsuits resolve within a few months to a few years. The time will depend on factors such as how long it takes for your treatment to resolve, whether or not the other party wants to settle out of court, whether we need to call in medical experts as witnesses, and more.
  • Will Uber or Lyft use an insurance policy to cover my losses?

    Both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies in place that can cover losses after a rideshare accident. In some situations, up to $1,000,000 in coverage could be available to pay for the damages of a rideshare accident. However, you aren’t guaranteed anything from these policies, and rideshare companies often try to minimize what coverage is provided after a crash.

  • How do I file a cerebral palsy birth injury lawsuit?
    During your consultation, we will walk you through the steps you need to take to file a lawsuit.
  • What is the statute of limitations on assault?
    Cases of assault have varying statutes of limitations. The standard statute of limitations for assault is three years. In cases of sexual assault and rape, the statute of limitations is more complicated and varies from case to case. In some cases, there is no statute of limitations.
  • I think I have a case, but I am not sure. How should I proceed?
    We off a free initial case consultation to prospective clients. In that meeting, we will discuss your case and determine how to move forward.
  • How much does an Erb's palsy attorney cost?
    We work on a contingency basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation. We will collect a percentage of the compensation awarded to you.
  • What is the statute of limitations on cases like these?
    You have either three years from the date of the injury or one year from when the injury was attributed to negligence to file a claim or lawsuit.
  • Can I seek punitive damages?
    No, Washington does not allow plaintiffs to seek punitive damages except in particular circumstances. If this option is available, we will certainly let you know.
  • What if a stray dog bites me?
    Unfortunately, we can only file a claim or lawsuit if we know who owns the dog.
  • Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident?

    While you are not required by law to hire a lawyer for a truck accident case in WA, it is highly advisable to consult with and consider retaining an experienced Seattle truck accident attorney. Truck accident cases can be complex, and having legal representation can be crucial for several reasons:

    • Navigating the Legal Process
    • Investigation and Evidence
    • Determining Liability
    • Calculating Damages
    • Negotiating with Insurance Companies
    • Lawsuit Representation
    • Legal Expertise
    • Reducing Stress
    • Contingency Fee Arrangement
    • Maximizing Compensation
  • How common are surgical errors?
    Each year, at least 4,000 surgical errors occur in the United States.
  • Can I file a claim if I was a nonpaying passenger in a rideshare accident?
    If you were a nonpaying passenger in a rideshare vehicle at the time of the accident, you still have the right to file a claim for damages. You don’t have to be the rideshare customer who paid for the service to have the right to seek compensation after a rideshare accident.

The Opinions That Matter Most

    “Lance showed great compassion toward my health and well-being.” - Scott C.
    “They walked me through every step of the way” - Jesse P.