Your Toughest Advocate Medical Malpractice Over $2 billion recovered for clients in your community since 1995

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:

Case results, including several multimillion-dollar victories.
Client testimonials, showing how we go above and beyond for clients in need.

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

$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.
$29.2 Million Brain Injury
Secured a victory against State Farm for a brain injury claim after the policy limits were exposed.
$21.65 Million Motorcycle Accident
Secured compensation for a fitness model and bodybuilder injured in a motor scooter accident.
$17 Million Brain Injury
For a woman with a traumatic brain injury, who appeared normal to those unfamiliar with her condition.
$14.6 Million Commercial Vehicle
Obtained a verdict for the family of a farmer killed in a vehicle crash involving a commercial vehicle.
$13,860,000 Brain Injury
For a professional fighter who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury after a car crash
$12,000,000 Brain Injury
$10,500,000 Car Accident
$10,500,000 Distracted Driving Accident
$10,250,000 Motorcycle Accident
$6,500,000 Assault
$6,100,000 Assault
$3.7 Million Medical Malpractice
For a patient who was a victim of medical malpractice, the defense refused to settle before trial.
$3,000,000 Slip & Fall
$2,500,000 Slip & Fall
$2,100,000 Hit-and-Run Accident
$1,645,000 Slip & Fall
$1,500,000 Motorcycle Accident
$1.34 Million Spinal Injury
Secured a verdict against State Farm for an accident resulting in a spinal injury.
$1,230,000 Spinal Injury

see more wins

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:

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

Understanding the Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Process

When facing the aftermath of a serious medical injury, knowing what to expect from a medical malpractice lawsuit can help you and your family make informed decisions. The process for bringing a claim in Bellevue involves multiple stages and strict procedural requirements, including specific filings under Washington state law. It is important to understand these steps so you do not miss crucial deadlines or documentation needed for your potential case.

The steps of a typical medical malpractice claim are as follows:

Initial case evaluation: Your lawyer assesses your injuries, medical records, and the actions of medical professionals involved.
Consultation with experts: Medical experts are consulted to help establish if there was a breach of care.
Filing the lawsuit: Your attorney files the proper paperwork in the appropriate Bellevue court.
Discovery phase: Both sides exchange information and conduct depositions to clarify the facts of the case.
Negotiations or mediation: Settlement discussions may take place to resolve the claim before trial.
Trial (if needed): If no settlement is reached, your case is presented before a judge or jury for a final decision.

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.

Contact Our Medical Malpractice Attorney in Bellevue Today

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.

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our testimonials

Their Words. Their Wins.

"You're in good hands! I wouldn't go anywhere else."
Had an amazing experience after our vehicle accident.

- Former Client
"Lance recovered 2 million dollars in my case"
Lance showed great compassion toward my health and well-being.

- Scott C.
"I would highly recommend Lance and his associates"
Lance was always professional and courteous to me and fought hard on my behalf.

- Tyler R.
"Had a great experience CZ handling my case."
They worked tremendously fast in settling my case

- Lupita E.
"Bottom line, they take care of business!"
They took great care of me and expedited my case quickly and efficiently.

- Vincent C.
"They did the heavy lifting and took care of me like family."
Lance took all those fears and concerns away and allowed me to focus on getting better.

- Benjamin W.
"Lance was so good and responded to all my requests and questions"
They will make sure you are taken care of and will fight to the very end for your well-being.

- Alan J.
"I never felt like I was battling my own attorney"
Well-oiled and efficient machine

- Tim U.

your fight starts here

cases we handle

Birth Injury

Serious Injuries Demand Serious Advocates A dedicated team with the experience, resolve, and resources to match your challenges

If you’re facing the physical, emotional, or financial fallout of a serious injury, you deserve a legal team that treats your case like it matters most. We’re here to fight for your recovery, protect your rights, and pursue every dollar of justice you’re owed.

Your Case Matters

Your Toughest Advocate reach out now, we're ready to help

Over $2 Billion won

Helping Injured Clients Since 1995

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