Yakima Medical Malpractice Attorneys

We Stand Up for Injured Patients & Their Families

Medical malpractice is a serious issue in the United States, impacting countless lives each year. Some studies have even shown that medical errors are the third-leading cause of preventable deaths in the country, underscoring how systemic and dramatic the problem of medical malpractice really is. When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care required in their profession, the consequences can be severe, causing physical, emotional, and financial harm, so it is more important than ever for anyone who has been harmed by medical malpractice to explore their legal options. 

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to negligent medical care, see if you can start a claim or lawsuit with the help of Carpenter & Zuckerman. Not only can a successful claim help you secure the compensation you need to recover, but it also holds negligent providers accountable and promotes higher standards of patient care. Our Yakima medical malpractice attorneys have secured more than $2 billion through awards and verdicts for past clients – we would be honored to see what we can do for your case, too*.

Begin with a free case consultation. Call (425) 585-4009 at any time.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice

Some of the most common types of medical malpractice include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: Errors in identifying or timing a diagnosis can result in improper treatment or no treatment at all, leading to preventable complications.
• Surgical errors: Mistakes made during surgery, such as operating on the wrong site, leaving tools inside a patient, or causing unintended injuries, can have lasting effects.
• Medication errors: Medication errors involve prescribing the wrong medication, the incorrect dosage, or medications that interact harmfully with other drugs.
• Birth injuries: Negligence during prenatal care, labor, or delivery can harm both the baby and the mother, resulting in conditions like cerebral palsy or other long-term disabilities.
• Hospital infections: Patients trust healthcare facilities to maintain sanitary conditions, but neglecting proper hygiene can lead to life-threatening infections.
• Premature release from care: Discharging patients too early can prevent conditions from being properly treated, resulting in preventable complications and readmissions.

Elements of Medical Malpractice

To succeed in a medical malpractice claim, four elements of liability are usually required, including:

• Duty of care: The healthcare provider had a professional obligation (like a doctor-patient relationship) to provide care that meets accepted medical standards.
• Breach of duty: The provider failed to meet those standards, such as administering improper treatment, delaying care, or neglecting hygiene protocols.
• Causation: A direct link must be proven between the provider’s actions (or inactions) and the harm the patient experienced.
• Damages: The malpractice must have resulted in quantifiable harm, such as medical bills, lost wages, physical injuries, or emotional suffering.

Preparing a case often requires gathering strong evidence to demonstrate all the above elements. Medical records, expert testimony, and a detailed timeline of events can prove crucial, especially when used by a legal team as experienced and talented as ours.

Compensation in a Medical Malpractice Claim

Medical malpractice plaintiffs can pursue a variety of damages in their claims. Compensation is meant to address the losses you’ve faced, which isn’t limited to just tangible financial losses. Determining the full extent of your losses is a key part of preparing a case, and our attorneys can carefully explore every aspect, so that not even a penny is overlooked.

Potential areas of recovery in a medical malpractice case include:

• Medical expenses: Various medical expenses can include the cost of treatment required to address the malpractice injury, rehabilitation, surgeries, and any future medical care.
• Lost income and earning potential: If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you may recover lost wages as well as damages for diminished earning capacity if your injuries result in a long-term or permanent disability.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by substandard medical care.
• Wrongful death damages: For families who have tragically lost a loved one due to medical malpractice, available damages may include funeral costs, loss of companionship, and loss of financial support.

Do Many Medical Malpractice Cases Go to Trial?

Medical malpractice claims are often more complex than other personal injury cases and are more likely to proceed to trial. At Carpenter & Zuckerman, our team is experienced in handling any medical malpractice claim, even those that seem like they will end up in court for litigation. We prepare every case fully, ready to take it to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached, providing knowledgeable and determined representation throughout the process.

A medical malpractice claim might be more likely to go to trial if it deals with:

• Disputed liability: Defendants, including hospitals, doctors, and their insurers, often dispute claims to protect their reputations and avoid financial liability.
• Higher financial stakes: Medical malpractice cases tend to involve significant compensation amounts due to the severity of the injuries, which can create more resistance from the defense.
• Complex evidence: Proving malpractice requires expert medical testimony, substantial evidence, and detailed documentation, which can lead to drawn-out litigation.

Talk to a Professional Lawyer About Your Case

If you or a loved one has been harmed by the negligence of a healthcare provider, depend on Carpenter & Zuckerman today for legal counsel. Our Yakima medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to holding medical professionals and institutions accountable for their actions by fighting tirelessly for the full compensation our clients need and deserve.

Don’t wait to start your claim. Call (425) 585-4009 now and ask for a no-cost case review.

(* Past case results are not a guarantee for future case results.)