We expect doctors, physicians, and medical professionals to provide professional treatment and care when we need it. However, sometimes healthcare providers act negligently and cause serious injuries as a result. In such cases, the victims of these mistakes can file malpractice lawsuits. A successful claim requires expert testimony to prove that a healthcare provider deviated from the standard of care and that this deviation led to injury. In some cases, multiple parties may be liable, and a seasoned attorney can help you determine who is responsible for your injuries.

The legal mechanics of Seattle, WA Medical Malpractice claims can be complicated, nuanced, and technical, and they often differ from other types of legal claims. These complexities have contributed to significant confusion, misunderstanding, and misconceptions among members of the general public and even some lawyers who practice law. This widespread lack of understanding is unjustifiable and unfair to injured patients and their families. In the interest of dispelling some of this confusion, this article will discuss both the broad fundamental principles and many of the key technical mechanics of Washington medical malpractice law in practice.

Each state implements a statute of limitations, or “time limit,” on the amount of time victims have to initiate a civil lawsuit over a particular type of injury. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is generally three years from the date on which a healthcare professional’s negligence caused the injury, although there are exceptions and caveats. For this reason, it is important to consult a Seattle and Kent Medical Malpractice Lawyer as soon as possible after a potential medical malpractice incident occurs.

In most cases, the clock on filing a medical malpractice lawsuit starts ticking when you realize or should reasonably have realized that you have been injured due to the actions or omissions of a healthcare professional. However, there are also certain circumstances that extend the statute of limitations for filing a claim, such as when the injury was hidden or concealed.

Unlike some states, Washington does not put caps on the amount of damages that plaintiffs can recover in a successful malpractice case, including noneconomic damages like pain and suffering. However, there are some other unique aspects to Washington malpractice law that you should be aware of, such as the fact that a jury’s award can be reduced by your percentage of fault, so it is important to consult an experienced Seattle and Kent Medical Malpractice Lawyer as early as possible after your injury.

“Moseley Collins Law
701 5th Ave Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104
(800) 426-5550”