When you go to a doctor, the last thing you expect is to be injured because of medical malpractice. But unfortunately, medical errors are more common than many people realize. “Never events” are shocking and unbelievable examples of medical negligence that occur in hospitals, surgery centers, and doctor’s offices throughout Florida.
Our Miami medical malpractice attorney at Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer works to get you the money you deserve after a doctor or other medical professional harms you. Our injury lawyer was named one of the “10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction” by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. Therefore, you can trust that you receive exceptional legal services when hiring our law firm.
Contact our law office today at (305) 257-9464 and schedule a free consultation with our experienced Miami, FL never events lawyer to discuss how we can help you.
How Our Miami Medical Malpractice Lawyers Help Patients Injured in Never Events
Adverse events occur in the medical professional. Doctors cannot control all outcomes of a medical procedure or treatment. However, some medical errors should never occur.
Pursuing a medical malpractice claim can be complicated. Miami, Florida medical malpractice laws require patients to prove doctors breached their duty of care by failing to provide an acceptable standard of care. That burden of proof requires hiring medical experts and researching complicated medical procedures and health conditions.
Fortunately, you do not need to do that. We handle everything for you. When you hire Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer, you can expect our Miami medical malpractice lawyers to:
- Investigate the circumstances that led to your injuries
- Identify the doctors and medical professionals responsible for your injuries
- Hire medical experts to assist with your case
- Obtain medical opinions and evidence to support our claims of medical negligence
- Document your injuries and damages by working with medical experts and your new physicians
- File medical malpractice insurance claims and handle settlement negotiations
- Prepare to file a medical malpractice lawsuit if the doctor and the insurance company refuse to agree to a fair settlement amount
You deserve maximum compensation for your damages. We want to help make that happen. Call us today to discuss your case with our Miami never events lawyer.
What is a Never Event?
A “never event” is a serious, preventable medical error that should never happen. The term was introduced in 2001 by the former CEO of the National Quality Forum (NQF), Dr. Ken Kizer.
As first used by Dr. Kizer, never events described shocking medical errors, including wrong-site surgery. However, the term now includes adverse events that are:
- Generally preventable
- Clearly measurable and identifiable
- Have a serious risk of causing death or significant disability for the patient
The list of never events has grown to over two dozen serious reportable events. These events severely compromise patient safety. Never events generally fall into one of the following categories:
- Surgical and procedural
- Care management
- Radiological
- Patient protection
- Service or products
- Environmental
- Criminal acts
While never events are rarer than other medical errors, they happen. Certain surgical errors are some of the most common types of never events. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has a fact sheet discussing never events that provides additional information.
What Qualifies as a Never Event for Medical Malpractice Cases?
It is difficult to believe that a doctor, nurse, or health care provider could make some of the following errors. A few examples of medical errors that are considered never events include:
- Operating on the wrong patient or wrong body part (surgical error)
- Patients developing Stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers while in a health care facility
- Leaving a foreign object inside a patient during surgery or a medical procedure
- Forgetting to remove metal objects from an MRI area
- Death or injury during a low-risk birth
- Performing the incorrect medical procedure on a patient
- Medication errors that cause a patient death or injury
- Using contaminated medical equipment or devices
- Discharging patients from the hospital or health care facility too soon
- Unsafe practices for using blood products
- Deaths and traumatic injuries from falls in health care facilities
- Patient burns sustained while in a health care facility
The exact number of never events that occur each year is unknown. However, many states have passed laws requiring reporting systems for never events. In addition, there are pushes for publicly reporting never events.
Can I Sue a Doctor for Damages Caused by a Never Event?
Yes, you can sue a doctor or other health care provider in Florida for injuries and harm caused by a never event. However, you have the burden of proving the elements of a medical malpractice claim. You cannot recover damages until you prove your case.
Damages generally awarded in a medical malpractice case include:
- Reimbursement of past medical bills and expenses
- Compensation for ongoing nursing, personal, and medical care
- Reimbursement for loss of income, wages, and benefits
- Compensation for future reductions in earning potential and future lost wages
- Reimbursement for other out-of-pocket expenses and economic damages
- Compensation for non-economic damages including pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and permanent impairments and disfigurement
How much your medical malpractice case is worth depends on the facts in your case. Our Miami malpractice lawyers work to achieve the best possible outcome for your case, given the facts and circumstances.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Miami Medical Malpractice Law Firm
Did a doctor or health care provider injure you? If so, our legal team is here to provide compassionate, trusted legal counsel. Contact us today to schedule your free case review and consultation with a Miami never events attorney in Miami, Florida.