Pennsylvania Supreme Court And Medical Malpractice

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court seemed like it was about to ease some nearly two-decades-old restrictions on medical malpractice lawsuits. At the request of Pennsylvania Senate leaders, the court has postponed a decision pending legislative research.

At hand is whether or not to roll back a 2002 court rule that requires medical malpractice lawsuits to be filed in the county where the incident took place. The idea was to stop alleged victims and their attorneys from seeking an area where they would find a more favorable jury. This is what is termed by opponents as “venue shopping.” Those who favor rolling back the rules say that the venue restrictions often make it “impossible to find impartial juries,” especially in some rural counties in Pennsylvania.

At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we can provide you with a legal malpractice attorney Philadelphia if you or a loved one have been harmed due to a medical error. Regardless of where the incident occurs, you have the right to be compensated.

Do Medical Mistakes Affect Us All?

Many people view medical malpractice lawsuits as frivolous and do everything they can to limit a person’s ability to recover compensation for what has happened to them. Maybe if lawmakers and the general public understood the true scope of medical mistakes they would think differently.

• Medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Yes, you read that correctly. The only things that kill more people in this country annually are heart disease and cancer. A man-made cause is third on the list.

How do medical mistakes cause injuries and deaths?

• Medication errors can occur both in the hospital, in outpatient settings, and at the local pharmacist level. This can include patients not getting the right medication, receiving the wrong dosage, or not getting their medication at all.
• Healthcare-acquired infections are preventable and often caused by healthcare professionals not following proper infection protocols.
• Surgical errors are scary. Both major and minor surgical errors can lead to long-term consequences for a patient.
• Misdiagnosis is the most devastating of all medical errors according to Johns Hopkins researchers. They can lead to treatment being delayed or never being given at all.
• Delayed treatment often leads to a situation in which a patient must undergo rigorous medical procedures. Other times, delayed treatment causes fatalities.

We rightfully expect that we will receive high-quality medical care when we seek treatment. If a healthcare provider is negligence or careless in their duties, they need to be held accountable for their actions.

What You Can Do

If you or a loved one have been harmed due to the negligence of a healthcare professional, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we will work tirelessly on your behalf to secure compensation for:

• Your medical costs related to the incident
• Loss of income if you cannot work
• Pain and suffering damages
• Punitive damages

When you need a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.