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 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:

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.

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.

$13.9 Million Brain Injury
$29.3 Million Daño Cerebral
$17 Million Brain Injury

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 much Does a Dog Bite Lawyer Cost?

Our Seattle dog bite attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning we will not charge you for our services unless we successfully win your case. We collect a percentage of the compensation awarded to you. The precise figure varies from case to case, and we can give you more specific information during your initial consultation.
What should I do if I suspect my baby has suffered a birth injury?

You should get in touch with a doctor and schedule an examination as soon as possible. Once you know your baby is getting the care they need, we can schedule a consultation.
Are there any caps on the compensation I can receive in a birth injury case?

There are not.
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.
How can I determine whether or not my child has HIE?

Seek the help of a qualified medical professional and have them perform an examination.
How long do HIE cases take to resolve fully?

The answer to this depends on a variety of factors. Typically, these cases can take anywhere from a couple of months to several years.
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.
Should I speak with the other party's insurer?

No, we will take care of that. They will likely offer you a lower settlement than you deserve. Further, you run the risk of saying something that an insurer can use against you, leading to a diminished claim.
How can I ensure I get the best care following a catastrophic injury?

We can arrange for you to see a highly qualified specialist.
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.
What if a stray dog bites me?

Unfortunately, we can only file a claim or lawsuit if we know who owns the dog.
How long do I file to file my lawsuit?

The statute of limitations on personal injury cases is either three years or one year after discovering that malpractice led to your injury, whichever is later.
Can my lawsuit involve a third party?

Yes, depending on the circumstances of the accident. For example, the manufacturer may be liable if a defective part led to the collision in which you sustained your injury.
Can I sue for property damage?

Yes.
How common are surgical errors?

Each year, at least 4,000 surgical errors occur in the United States.
What damages can I recover in my case?

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible to recover compensation. There are two main types of damages that can be recovered: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are tangible, quantifiable losses that result from the accident. They are intended to compensate you for actual financial expenses and losses. Common economic damages in a truck accident case may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-economic damages are less tangible and are meant to compensate you for the pain, suffering, mental anguish, or loss of consortium resulting from the truck accident.
Are these types of cases common?

Yes. Claims and lawsuits involving premises liability are among the most common personal injury cases.
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.

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