Sydney Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Medical malpractice is not uncommon in healthcare facilities in Sydney. When it does happen, the consequences for patients and their families are devastating and long-lasting. That could be before it is even clear that an injury was sustained by a healthcare professional.
When medical professionals fail to provide the appropriate standard of care, patients suffer injuries, illnesses, or even death. Not only can medical malpractice cause physical harm, but it can also lead to emotional and financial hardship.
For anyone who has sustained an injury due to medical malpractice, the experience can be a life-altering moment. It is important that if you are a victim, or suspect you are a victim of negligence by a medical professional, that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. The earlier you have a compassionate legal professional in your corner the better – someone with the expertise to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and to seek compensation immediately.
At NOVA Injury Law , our firm is dedicated to gathering, analyzing, and presenting complex medical evidence to insurers and before the courts. We help patients who have been injured and bring claims on behalf of loved ones who have passed away.
More often than not, victims of medical malpractice are left with more than just the physical consequences of the doctor’s (or hospital’s) negligence. Many victims suffer various psychological effects from the incident, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, a fear of hospitals, or a change from their regular selves. It is important that injury victims are properly compensated for these psychological effects in addition to their physical injuries.
The injury lawyers at NOVA Injury Law also provide the following litigation services in Sydney, NS:
- Personal Injury
- Car Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Birth Injuries
- Long Term Disability
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Product Liability
- Slip & Fall
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Wrongful Death
Why NOVA Injury Law?
At NOVA Injury Law our team of lawyers in our Sydney office have experience in medical negligence law, offering advice on cases ranging from surgical errors, misdiagnosis, prescribing the wrong medication to injuries sustained during birth.
In Nova Scotia, medical malpractice claims fall under the province’s Medical Liability Act and laws of general negligence, which establishes a framework for pursuing claims against healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and hospitals. Paired with deadlines to sue, victims of medical malpractice have a limited amount of time to file a claim, so it is crucial to act quickly and seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer.
The standard of proof in a medical malpractice claim is high – most often needing a medical expert in the same field of medicine as the healthcare professional being sued to provide an opinion on the standard of care provided. This means that medical malpractice cases in Nova Scotia are generally complex and require specialized legal expertise.
We work in-house with actual medical professionals to gather and evaluate evidence evidence so that we
A good medical malpractice lawyer will make potential clients aware of this and be honest if they do not think they will actually add any value. If you are not sure if you require the representation provided by a lawyer for your personal injury case, call our office for a free initial consultation.
What is the Process for Determining Whether a Patient’s Claim is Valid?
NOVA Injury Law offers Free Case Reviews, giving Sydney injury victims and those across Nova Scotia the chance to consult one of experienced injury lawyers for free. The legal principles involved in medical malpractice are highly specialized – meaning good lawyers in the field must understand complex medical terminology in order to confidently apply the law and facts to settlement negotiations.
NOVA Injury Law’s commitment to seeking specialist medical advice as soon as we have received your case, means that patients can focus on getting better. We’ll get started with building your case and talking with insurers, and healthcare providers involved in your case.
How Will NOVA Injury Law Pursue a Compensation Claim for Parents and Newborns?
After a patient or recovered patient has received a Free Case Review, they are best placed to make an informed decision about what to do next.
If a parent decides to pursue the matter, NOVA Injury Law will not charge a single cent until a settlement is reached. That’s because at NOVA Injury Law we don’t believe injured people should take on additional burden until they have the answers they deserve. Our lawyers simply just get to work by:
- Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the healthcare provider or facility responsible for the injury
- Pursuing compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and other damages related to the injury
- Seeking damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic losses
We do this through a number of avenues including negotiation, mediation and even at trial through the courts. Pursuing medical malpractice claims can take years – which is why our no-upfront costs agreements allow injury victims to seek justice without a financial barrier.
Our lawyers look at everything to establish the real cause of injury in suspected medical malpractice cases. That’s because the high standards of ethical care require our medical professionals to document everything. If a mistake has been made we will find it.
- Medical records: We review the patient’s medical records to determine the care that was provided and whether the standard of care was met. We look for discrepancies, omissions, or errors in the medical records that could indicate negligence on the part of the healthcare provider.
- Expert testimony: We consult with medical experts to provide opinions on the standard of care that should have been provided, whether the healthcare provider departed from that standard, and whether this caused harm to the patient.
- Witness statements: The lawyer may interview witnesses who were present during the treatment, including family members, nurses, or other healthcare providers, to gather additional information about the care provided and any potential errors or negligence.
- Photos and videos: We review photos or videos taken during the treatment or surgery to help determine whether the healthcare provider acted appropriately.
- Research and guidelines: We review medical research and guidelines to determine the current standards of care for the condition or treatment in question, and to compare this to the care provided by the healthcare provider.
- Financial records: We review financial records related to the treatment, such as billing statements and insurance records, to help determine the full extent of the damages incurred by the patient as a result of the malpractice.
How Does NOVA Injury Law Pursue a Compensation Claim for Medical Malpractice?
While the process is complex and challenging, NOVA Injury Lawyers are ready to pursue your medical malpractice claim. In Nova Scotia, there is a general limitation period of two years. Within this, however, there are exceptions. One of which is a discoverability rule which means the period does not start until you reasonably know that you’ve been injured.
Once it is established that a case can be pursued, our team of expert lawyers will comb through the following sources of potential evidence:
- Standard of Care: We assess whether the medical practitioner met the appropriate standard of care that a reasonable medical professional in the same field would have provided under similar circumstances.
- Diagnosis: With the help of our medical expert consultants, we look at whether the medical practitioner made a correct diagnosis, ordered appropriate diagnostic tests, and interpreted those tests correctly.
- Treatment Plan: We assess whether the medical practitioner’s treatment plan was correct, and whether it was followed properly.
- Medication Management: We check that the medical practitioner prescribed appropriate medication and dosage, taking into account any allergies or adverse reactions.
- Communication: We assess whether the medical practitioner provided the patient with all necessary information about their diagnosis, treatment options, and potential risks and benefits.
- Documentation: We review the medical practitioner’s documentation including their history, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment to ensure that it is accurate and complete.
How NOVA Injury Law MAXIMIZES Your Claim for Compensation if You are a Victim of Medical Malpractice
First we establish the quantum of damages in each of the following areas, before advocating for payment in each.
- Compensation for medical expenses: entitlements related to medical malpractice, including hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
- Pain and suffering damages: usually monetary entitlements for the actual physical pain and emotional suffering sustained
- Long-term care: entitlements for the person’s ongoing care needs such as showering, standing and going to the toilet
- Counseling and therapy: entitlements to help the victim to cope with the emotional effects of their medical malpractice injury.
- Compensation for lost income: entitlements related to the victims’ inability to work due to their medical malpractice injury, including lost income and future earning capacity. This can also include payments for vocational training for persons who are unable to return to their previous employment and require new skills to re-enter the workforce.
- Modifications to living arrangements: entitlements for home and vehicular modifications to support a person with disability as a result of medical malpractice, and give them access their home surroundings more freely
- Assistive devices: entitlements for things such as mobility aids or communication devices supporting the persons’ ability to function independently.
Who Will Prevent You from Seeking Compensation for Your Medical Malpractice Injury?
In a medical malpractice case, it will be the hospital’s insurer or even the healthcare professional themselves. Ultimately, healthcare professionals are good people – almost always trying to help you, not harm you. However, when risk mitigation practices put in place to safeguard you fail, or negligence is involved, the healthcare providers’ and their insurers will always team up to limit their legal exposure. Like them, you need someone to team up with someone who has your back.
Call Our Sydney Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today
Call NOVA Injury Law immediately to set up your Free Case Review.
Dr. Laura Mitchell is a practicing emergency room physician with special training in occupational medicine. Having an expert physician on hand means that our team of medical malpractice lawyers can assess injuries and start building a file of compelling medical evidence to support your claim. This is part of the reason that NOVA Injury Law is considered to be the premier personal injury law firm in Nova Scotia, and is one of the reasons why NOVA Injury Law has been able to secure greater sums of compensation than any other firm in Nova Scotia over the past few years.
Our lawyers are also part of the community in Sydney, Nova Scotia – so we can work with professionals, community groups and volunteers all over the city to get you the support you need.
We understand that facing up to large healthcare insurers is daunting – but rest assured, we do it everyday. And with our no contingency fee arrangements, you should be confident in our confidence to get you the result that you deserve.
If you believe that you or someone close to you is suffering from an injury cause by medical malpractice, do not hesitate.
Book in to get your Free Case Review for a medical practice case in Sydney, Cape Breton, today!, There is absolutely no obligation or cost to learn more about your case. Remember our contingency fee agreements mean you don’t pay a cent unless you claim results in a settlement or award. Questions for Jeff Mitchell? Contact Jeff now at jeff@novainjurylaw.com or you can reach us by calling 902-702-3042. Our medical malpractice team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to support you and your loved ones. Learn how we can help you and your family now!