Not so long ago, there was a great deal of press coverage about why medical malpractice awards seem unusually large. While it is true that many successful medical malpractice lawsuits and insignificant settlement awards or jury awards, not all medical malpractice cases are successful and not all personal injury awards related to these cases are significant. With that said, there are good reasons why so many successful medical malpractice case awards seem to be unreasonably large at first glance.
The High Costs of Medical Malpractice Injuries
As an experienced Oregon medical malpractice lawyer – including those who practice at Andersen Morse & Linthorst – can confirm, many patients who suffer injuries as a result of substandard medical care incur substantial costs as a result of the harm they’ve suffered. Many require expensive ongoing medical care, lose a great deal of earning potential because they either can’t work or they can’t work for quite a long time as they recover, and may even require accessibility overhauls of their homes and vehicles just so they can continue to have a basic quality of life.
For example, an infant who suffers from severe oxygen deprivation during the birthing process may require physical therapy, specific kinds of medical care, accessibility resources, private educational opportunities, and a host of other expensive accommodations for the rest of their life. Although a medical malpractice verdict in the tens of millions of dollars for a birth injury case may seem extreme at first, when you add up all of the costs that this child will need to cover without ever being able to earn income of their own, the verdict not only starts to make sense but becomes completely reasonable.
When Sacred Trusts Are Compromised
It is also worth noting that medical malpractice cases are only successful when it can be proven that a healthcare provider gave a patient care that was substandard, both professionally and legally speaking. Patients place their lives in the hands of medical providers. When providers fail to exercise the minimum standards of patient care owed by law and expectations of their profession, significant consequences may be entirely appropriate.
Connect with an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney to Learn More
If you either believe or know that you or a loved one has suffered injuries or illness as a result of substandard medical care, connect with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. By speaking with a lawyer, you can clarify your legal situation, learn about your rights, and make informed decisions about your opportunities for recourse.
You may not know whether you have grounds to file legal action until your case has been thoroughly and objectively assessed. That’s okay. You don’t need to know the ends and outs of the law and how it applies to your situation. That’s an attorney’s job. It is simply your job to explore your legal options and to take whatever next steps make the most sense for you and your family at this time.