Chicago Attorneys Seeking Justice And Compensation For Victims Of Medical Malpractice

Patients entrust their health and medical care to physicians, hospitals and other health care providers and organizations. Inherent in that trust is the expectation that, in rendering care and treatment, medical providers will comply with the appropriate standards of care. When this does not occur and a patient is injured or killed as a result, it is important for the patient or their loved ones to seek legal representation.

At Anesi Ozmon, LTD, in Chicago, our attorneys are experienced in the complexities of modern medical science as well as in handling medical malpractice cases from investigation through trial. We have successfully handled all types of medical malpractice cases and have secured numerous settlements and verdicts for our clients. We have the resources, experience and skills to advocate for your maximum recovery. Our firm has been helping individuals and families throughout Illinois since 1955, and we are ready to fight for the justice you deserve.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when health care providers, such as doctors and hospitals, make mistakes or act in a way that falls short of what is known as the “standard of acceptable care.” The “standard of acceptable care” is a legal standard that outlines the acceptable level of treatment or care that should be provided in different situations. For example, emergency room doctors are held to a different standard of acceptable care than dental hygienists working in a dentist’s office.

To have a medical malpractice case, you must prove that your health care provider failed to uphold the standard of acceptable care. In other words, you must prove that they failed to act in the same way as another qualified health care provider would have in the same or similar circumstances. This establishes negligence through acts or omissions and serves as the grounds for a medical malpractice case that could lead to damages.

It is not enough to show simply that you sought medical care and did not improve or that your condition worsened. Instead, you must prove that the medical provider who treated you was somehow negligent and caused your injuries.

Common Examples Of Medical Malpractice

Some of the most common examples of medical malpractice include:

• Birth injuries or obstetric malpractice, resulting in infant brain damage and other injuries
• Failure to diagnose, delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of serious diseases, such as cancer, leading to wrongful death or other injuries
• Improper administration of anesthesia, resulting in respiratory failure, severe tracheal damage and other injuries
• Hospital negligence, including failure of hospital personnel to properly monitor patients, resulting in infections, falls and other injuries
• Failure to prevent hospital-acquired infection, resulting in life-threatening staph infection or other complications
• Emergency room errors, resulting in serious injuries, such as patients suffering a heart attack after being sent home
• Surgical and postoperative care errors, resulting in life-threatening infections and other injuries
• Radiological misdiagnosis, resulting in delayed diagnosis of cancer
• Walk-in clinic and urgent care errors from misdiagnosing an underlying condition or other mistakes
• Medication errors, including improper dosage, wrong medication and pharmacy errors

These and other forms of medical negligence can have devastating consequences, leading to life-altering injuries, permanent impairments and wrongful death.

Who Is Liable For Medical Malpractice?

Determining who is liable in a medical malpractice case can be extremely challenging. In some cases, liability may lie with the at-fault doctor, nurse or health care professional. In other instances, the medical institution that employs the at-fault party could be legally liable.

Depending on the specific details of your case, any of the following parties may be liable:

• A medical professional, such as a physician, nurse, physician assistant, anesthesiologist, dentist, surgeon, oncologist, obstetrician or physical therapist
• A hospital or hospital emergency room department
• An urgent care center or facility
• A dental office
• An outpatient center or rehabilitation facility

This is not an exhaustive list. At Anesi Ozmon, LTD, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys understand how to investigate these claims and determine who is liable.

When Doctors And Health Care Facilities Will Not Cooperate

Anytime a patient is seriously injured or killed while under the care of a physician, the patient and their family members deserve answers. Unfortunately, this is precisely when physicians and hospitals go silent. Medical professionals are often so concerned about avoiding liability that they will not answer questions or provide an explanation – much less an apology.

Ironically, this failure to communicate typically prompts patients to take legal action. They have no other way to get answers.

If the physician or the hospital refuses to answer questions, blames the patient or just stops communicating entirely, it may indicate that they know they made a serious mistake. You should save records of communication attempts and share them with your attorney. It could serve as compelling evidence as the litigation progresses.

Will Your Medical Malpractice Claim Go To Trial?

As with other types of personal injury claims, only a small percentage of medical malpractice lawsuits end in a jury trial. Most claims are resolved through a pretrial settlement.

Because of the research and investigation involved, medical malpractice cases can take much longer to resolve than other personal injury matters. Each step in the process presents an opportunity (and often an incentive) to settle out of court. Settling can be advantageous for you as the client because it means a faster payout than letting the case proceed to trial.

Tell Us Your Story During A Free Initial Consultation

Anesi Ozmon, LTD, represents the victims of medical malpractice throughout Illinois. To request a free and confidential consultation, you can contact us online or call our office at 312-997-5784.