McKeesport Medical Malpractice Lawyers

When you entrust your health to a medical professional, you expect competent, compassionate care. Unfortunately, when healthcare providers make negligent mistakes, the consequences can be devastating. At Matzus Law, LLC, we specialize in helping victims of medical malpractice in McKeesport, PA, and the surrounding areas. Our experienced McKeesport medical malpractice lawyers fight to hold negligent parties accountable and secure compensation for victims’ physical, emotional, and financial suffering.

Whether you’ve been harmed by a surgical error, delayed diagnosis, or medication mistake, you deserve justice. With a reputation for excellence, we are the legal advocates you need to navigate this complex process and achieve the results you deserve.

Injured and Have Questions?

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is a legal term that refers to errors, omissions, or negligent acts by a healthcare provider that fall below the accepted standard of care and result in harm to the patient. This “standard of care” represents the level of treatment a reasonably competent medical professional with similar training would provide under the same circumstances.

Key Components of Medical Malpractice

For a case to qualify as medical malpractice, the following elements must be present:

  1. A Doctor-Patient Relationship: You must establish that the healthcare provider owed you a duty of care, typically proven through medical records showing they treated you.
  2. Violation of the Standard of Care: The provider’s actions or omissions must be shown to deviate from what a reasonably competent professional would do.
  3. Causation: You must prove that this violation directly caused your injury or worsened your condition.
  4. Damages: You must demonstrate that you suffered specific harms, such as medical bills, lost wages, or physical pain.

These cases are highly complex, requiring medical expertise, legal skill, and in-depth investigation. That’s where Matzus Law, LLC comes in.

 

Types of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice takes many forms, all of which can result in severe harm to patients. Below are the most common types of malpractice cases we handle:

1. Diagnostic Errors

  • Misdiagnosis: Incorrectly diagnosing a patient’s condition, leading to inappropriate treatments or missed opportunities for effective care.
  • Delayed Diagnosis: Failing to identify a condition in time to provide effective treatment.
  • Failure to Diagnose: Overlooking symptoms or failing to conduct necessary tests to uncover an illness.

2. Surgical Errors

  • Performing the wrong surgery or operating on the wrong body part.
  • Leaving surgical tools or foreign objects inside the patient’s body.
  • Errors in anesthesia administration or monitoring during surgery.
  • Post-operative complications due to negligent aftercare or infection control.

3. Birth Injuries

  • Fetal Injuries: Injuries caused during delivery, including brain damage, Erb’s palsy, and fractures.
  • Maternal Injuries: Excessive bleeding, infections, or other complications caused by medical errors during labor or delivery.
  • Failure to Monitor: Ignoring signs of fetal distress or maternal complications.

4. Medication Errors

  • Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage.
  • Administering drugs incorrectly, including giving the wrong patient medication.
  • Failing to check for dangerous drug interactions or allergies.

5. Hospital Negligence

  • Inadequate staffing levels that lead to errors.
  • Poor training or supervision of staff.
  • Failing to maintain proper sanitation standards, resulting in hospital-acquired infections.

6. Nursing Errors

  • Administering the wrong medication or failing to follow a doctor’s instructions.
  • Ignoring patient complaints or failing to document changes in the patient’s condition.

Each type of malpractice requires a unique legal approach, and Matzus Law, LLC is equipped to handle even the most complex cases.

 

Why Choose Matzus Law, LLC?

Decades of Expertise
With years of experience in medical malpractice law, we have the in-depth knowledge necessary to navigate the medical and legal complexities of these cases. Our McKeesport medical malpractice lawyers have a track record of holding negligent healthcare providers accountable.

Thorough Investigation
Every case we handle is meticulously prepared. We work with medical experts to evaluate your claim, review detailed medical records, and identify errors that caused harm. Our thorough approach strengthens your case and increases your chances of a successful outcome.

Compassionate Client Support
We understand that the aftermath of medical malpractice can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to provide not only legal guidance but also emotional support throughout the process. You’ll have direct access to your attorney, who will keep you informed at every step.

Aggressive Advocacy
Whether we’re negotiating a settlement or taking your case to trial, we fight tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Our firm is known for taking on powerful hospitals, insurance companies, and medical institutions—and winning.

 

How to Identify If You Have a Medical Malpractice Case

If you believe you’ve been harmed by medical negligence, you may wonder whether you have grounds for a claim. Here are some key indicators:

Signs of Medical Malpractice

  • Your condition worsened after receiving treatment.
  • You experienced complications or injuries that seem unrelated to your original condition.
  • You received a diagnosis or treatment that doesn’t match your symptoms.
  • A healthcare provider admitted to making an error.

Steps to Take If You Suspect Malpractice

  1. Collect Medical Records: Obtain copies of all relevant medical documents, including test results and treatment notes.
  2. Seek a Second Opinion: Another medical professional can help determine whether negligence occurred.
  3. Document Your Experience: Keep detailed notes about your treatment, including dates, symptoms, and communications with providers.
  4. Contact an Attorney: Reach out to Matzus Law, LLC to review your case and explore your options.

 

How to File a Medical Malpractice Claim

Filing a medical malpractice claim can be daunting, but our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

  1. Initial Consultation: Share the details of your experience with our attorneys during a free case evaluation. We’ll assess whether you have a valid claim.
  2. Investigation: We gather evidence, including medical records, expert opinions, and witness statements, to build a strong case.
  3. Filing the Complaint: A formal complaint is filed in court, outlining the specific acts of negligence and the damages suffered.
  4. Discovery Process: Both sides exchange information to prepare for trial or settlement negotiations.
  5. Settlement or Trial: Many cases are resolved through negotiation. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court.

 

Who Is Liable for Medical Malpractice?

Identifying liability is critical in medical malpractice cases. At Matzus Law, LLC, we investigate all potentially responsible parties, which may include:

  1. Doctors and Surgeons: For errors in diagnosis, surgery, or treatment plans.
  2. Nurses and Support Staff: For failing to follow medical protocols or administer care properly.
  3. Hospitals: For systemic issues like understaffing, poor sanitation, or lack of training.
  4. Pharmaceutical Companies: For defective drugs or insufficient warnings about risks.

Our McKeesport medical malpractice lawyers work to ensure every negligent party is held accountable, maximizing your compensation.

 

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Victims of medical malpractice often face significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. You may be entitled to recover damages in several categories:

Economic Damages

  • Medical Expenses: Covers past and future medical bills, including surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to your inability to work.
  • Ongoing Care Costs: Costs for long-term care, home modifications, or therapy.

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for permanent disabilities or diminished quality of life.

Punitive Damages

In cases of egregious negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter future wrongdoing.

Injured and Have Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice

What is considered medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence causes harm to a patient. Negligence may include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, or failure to provide adequate care. To qualify as malpractice, the provider’s actions must fall below the accepted standard of care in their field.

How do I know if I have a medical malpractice case?
You may have a case if you suffered harm or your condition worsened due to treatment, a healthcare provider failed to follow standard medical procedures, or you incurred damages such as additional medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Consulting with an experienced attorney, like those at Matzus Law, LLC, is the best way to determine if your situation qualifies as malpractice.

Who can be held liable for medical malpractice?
Liable parties may include doctors and surgeons for errors during treatment or diagnosis, nurses and medical staff for failing to follow proper procedures, hospitals for systemic issues like poor staffing, inadequate policies, or unsafe conditions, and pharmaceutical companies for distributing defective drugs or failing to provide adequate warnings. Our team will investigate your case to identify all responsible parties.

What damages can I recover in a medical malpractice case?
Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to economic damages, which include medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing care costs. Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life, may also be recovered. In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer.

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally two years from the date of the injury or the discovery of harm. However, exceptions may apply, such as cases involving minors or situations where the injury was not immediately apparent. Acting quickly ensures your rights are protected.

Other areas where we handle Medical Malpractice:

Contact Matzus Law, LLC Today

If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, you deserve a legal team that will fight for your rights. At Matzus Law, LLC, we are dedicated to securing justice and compensation for victims of medical malpractice in McKeesport and beyond.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let our McKeesport medical malpractice lawyers provide the support and advocacy you need during this difficult time.