West Mifflin Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Medical malpractice can disrupt lives, causing profound physical, emotional, and financial challenges. At Matzus Law, LLC, our West Mifflin medical malpractice lawyers understand the pain and frustration that comes from suffering due to medical negligence. For individuals and families in West Mifflin, PA, we provide compassionate legal support and aggressive advocacy to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable.

With decades of experience, our attorneys guide clients through the complexities of medical malpractice cases. Whether your case involves a surgical error, delayed diagnosis, or hospital negligence, Matzus Law, LLC is committed to securing justice and the compensation you deserve.

Injured and Have Questions?

Understanding Medical Malpractice in West Mifflin, PA

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. This harm often stems from negligence, poor training, or inadequate communication within healthcare institutions.

Key Elements of a Medical Malpractice Case

To pursue a malpractice claim, three elements must be present:

  1. Breach of the Standard of Care: Healthcare providers are required to deliver care that meets professional standards. Deviating from these standards constitutes negligence.
  2. Causation: The provider’s negligence must have directly caused harm to the patient. This connection is often demonstrated through expert testimony.
  3. Damages: The harm must result in measurable losses, such as additional medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

Understanding these elements is critical to building a successful claim. At Matzus Law, LLC, we evaluate the details of each case to determine the best strategy for pursuing justice.

 

What Constitutes Medical Malpractice?

Examples of Negligence
Medical malpractice can occur in many forms. Common examples include errors in diagnosis, treatment, or aftercare. A misdiagnosis might delay critical treatment, worsening a patient’s condition, while surgical errors—such as operating on the wrong site or leaving instruments inside the body—can lead to severe complications or death.

Impact of Medication and Anesthesia Errors
Medication mistakes, such as prescribing the wrong drug or dosage, can result in dangerous side effects, allergic reactions, or treatment failures. Anesthesia errors, including administering too much or too little anesthesia, can lead to brain damage, severe pain, or even death. These cases require careful investigation to identify the cause and responsible parties.

Institutional Negligence
Hospitals and healthcare facilities also bear responsibility for ensuring patient safety. Failures in maintaining sterile environments, supervising staff, or properly staffing units can lead to preventable injuries and illnesses.

 

Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle

At Matzus Law, LLC, our West Mifflin medical malpractice lawyers are experienced in handling a wide range of medical malpractice cases. Below are the most common categories of malpractice, along with expanded details to highlight their impact and complexity.

Surgical Errors

Surgical procedures involve inherent risks, but negligence by the surgical team can lead to catastrophic consequences. Examples include:

  • Wrong-Site Surgeries: Operating on the wrong body part or performing the wrong procedure entirely.
  • Retained Surgical Instruments: Leaving tools, sponges, or other objects inside the patient, causing infections or complications.
  • Damage to Internal Organs: Caused by carelessness or lack of precision during surgery.
  • Post-Operative Negligence: Failing to monitor or treat complications like infections, blood clots, or bleeding.

Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can affect both the newborn and the mother, often resulting in permanent disabilities or trauma. Examples include:

  • Cerebral Palsy and Brain Damage: Caused by oxygen deprivation during prolonged or delayed labor.
  • Nerve Injuries: Resulting from improper use of forceps, vacuum extractors, or excessive pulling.
  • Undiagnosed Pregnancy Complications: Conditions like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes that go untreated can lead to preventable harm.
  • Maternal Injuries: Including excessive bleeding or infections due to improper surgical or postnatal care.

Diagnostic Errors

A timely and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment. When healthcare providers misdiagnose or delay diagnosing a condition, it can lead to life-threatening complications. Examples include:

  • Failure to Diagnose Cancer: Delays in diagnosing cancer can prevent patients from receiving life-saving treatments.
  • Misdiagnosis of Heart Attacks: Mistaking heart attack symptoms for minor conditions can lead to severe damage or death.
  • Errors in Test Results: Misinterpreting diagnostic imaging or lab work.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia is a crucial part of many medical procedures, but errors in its administration can have devastating outcomes. Examples include:

  • Dosage Mistakes: Administering too much or too little anesthesia, causing severe pain, brain damage, or death.
  • Failure to Monitor Vital Signs: Neglecting to watch for complications during surgery.
  • Delayed Emergency Responses: Failing to address adverse reactions promptly.

Hospital Negligence

Hospitals have a responsibility to maintain safe environments and ensure proper patient care. Examples of negligence include:

  • Understaffing: Leading to overworked staff and insufficient patient monitoring.
  • Poor Hygiene: Causing infections like sepsis or MRSA.
  • Administrative Errors: Such as incorrect medication dosages or improper record-keeping.
  • Failure to Screen Staff: Allowing unqualified or negligent employees to care for patients.

Medication Errors

Mistakes in prescribing or administering medication can lead to severe harm, including overdose, allergic reactions, or treatment failure. Examples include:

  • Incorrect dosages
  • Harmful drug interactions
  • Errors in compounding or dispensing medication

Emergency Room Errors

Emergency rooms are fast-paced environments, but negligence in prioritizing or diagnosing conditions can lead to severe injuries or death. Examples include:

  • Misdiagnosed strokes or heart attacks
  • Delayed treatment for internal bleeding
  • Medication or procedural errors

Radiology Errors

Radiology errors involve misreading X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, leading to delayed treatment or unnecessary procedures.

Nursing Home Negligence

Malpractice in long-term care facilities can involve improper medication administration, untreated infections, or failure to monitor vulnerable patients.

 

Understanding Liability in Medical Malpractice Cases

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Multiple parties may be responsible for medical malpractice, including:

  • Doctors and Specialists: For errors in diagnosis, treatment, or surgery.
  • Nurses and Staff: For failing to administer medication properly or monitor patients.
  • Hospitals: For poor hiring practices, unsafe facilities, or failure to supervise employees.
  • Pharmaceutical Companies: For distributing defective drugs or failing to provide adequate warnings.

Proving Liability

To establish liability, you must demonstrate that the healthcare provider owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused measurable harm. This often requires extensive evidence, such as medical records and expert testimony, which our team at Matzus Law, LLC is skilled in gathering and presenting.

 

Why Choose Matzus Law, LLC?

Decades of Experience
Our attorneys have successfully handled numerous medical malpractice cases across Pennsylvania, including complex claims involving multiple liable parties.

Client-Centered Representation
At Matzus Law, LLC, we take the time to understand your unique circumstances. We provide tailored legal strategies and clear communication to ensure you feel supported throughout the process.

Aggressive Advocacy
We are dedicated to fighting for our clients, whether through negotiation or litigation. We are not afraid to take on powerful hospitals, insurance companies, or corporations to secure the compensation you deserve.

Contingency Fee Basis
You pay no upfront fees when you work with us. We operate on a contingency basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case.

 

Steps to Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim

Step 1: Free Consultation
We begin by evaluating your case, explaining your rights, and outlining your legal options. This initial consultation helps us understand the details and determine the next steps.

Step 2: Investigation
Our team conducts a thorough investigation, collecting evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions. We analyze every detail to identify the responsible parties and strengthen your claim.

Step 3: Filing the Claim
We prepare and file your claim, ensuring compliance with Pennsylvania’s legal requirements. This process includes drafting all necessary documents and notifying the defendant(s).

Step 4: Negotiation or Trial
We negotiate aggressively to secure a fair settlement. If an agreement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to trial and fight for justice in court.

 

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Types of Compensation
Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses, including future treatment costs
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life or enjoyment of activities
  • Punitive damages in cases of egregious negligence

Maximizing Your Compensation
Our West Mifflin medical malpractice lawyers work tirelessly to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve. We collaborate with financial and medical experts to calculate the true extent of your losses.

Injured and Have Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a claim?
In Pennsylvania, you typically have two years from the date of injury or its discovery to file a medical malpractice claim. Acting promptly is crucial to preserving evidence and protecting your legal rights.

What should I do if I suspect malpractice?
If you believe you’ve been a victim of malpractice, document your experience and gather all medical records. Contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your case and guide you through the next steps.

What does it cost to hire a malpractice attorney?
At Matzus Law, LLC, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs. You only pay if we secure compensation for you.

Other areas where we handle Medical Malpractice:

Contact Matzus Law, LLC Today

If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical malpractice, don’t wait to seek legal help. The experienced attorneys at Matzus Law, LLC are ready to provide the compassionate support and aggressive advocacy you need.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let our West Mifflin medical malpractice lawyers help you take the first step toward justice and recovery.