Connecticut Medical Malpractice Attorney

Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim in Connecticut

If you believe you have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim in Connecticut, it is critical that you reach out to an attorney right away. The statute of limitations on medical malpractice lawsuits in Connecticut is two years from the date of injury (or date on which the incident that caused later injury occurred). However, the sooner you contact RisCassi & Davis, P.C., the sooner we can begin gathering evidence and analyzing the facts of your case.

Our medical malpractice lawyers in Connecticut are committed to the highest ethical standards, as well as to providing each and every client with the attentive, compassionate, and dedicated legal representation he or she deserves. We have recovered numerous seven-figure results for victims of medical malpractice and negligence and are ready to put our resources, skill, and expertise on your side.

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is one of the most complex areas of personal injury law. Many people who have sought medical treatment and experienced negative outcomes may believe they are the victims of medical malpractice—however, this is not always the case.

In order to have grounds for a medical malpractice claim, you must prove that one of the following failed to uphold the standard of care: 

• Doctor
• Nurse
• Hospital
• Another healthcare provider 

Generally speaking, the standard of care is the level of treatment one could reasonably expect a healthcare professional or facility to provide. While doctors are not expected to be experts in all types of medicine, they are expected to know and follow the standards for their particular specialty.

For example, if you visit the doctor with mysterious symptoms, and, despite performing various tests, he or she is unable to diagnose your illness and decides to refer you to a specialist, your doctor has not committed malpractice. In contrast, if you visit the doctor and they do not run any diagnostic tests or misinterpret the results of your tests, causing them to provide you with an incorrect diagnosis (or no diagnosis at all), this could be an example of medical negligence. Our Connecticut medical malpractice attorneys can help you determine whether or not that is the case.

Start fighting for the compensation you deserve after medical malpractice by calling us at (860) 245-2412 or contacting us online for a free consultation.

What are Common Examples of Medical Malpractice?

While medical malpractice can—and does—take many forms, we commonly see several types of medical malpractice and negligence in our clients’ cases.

Some of the most common examples of medical malpractice include:

• Anesthesia errors
• Birth injuries
• Cerebral palsy
• Emergency room errors
• Hospital malpractice
• Misdiagnosis
• Prescription errors
• Psychiatric malpractice
• Surgical errors
• Doctor and nurse negligence
• Failure to diagnose/treat a heart attack

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Medical Malpractice Case?

Medical malpractice can have devastating effects. Victims may experience new injuries or worsened conditions. They may suffer rapid health deterioration due to a lack of proper, timely medical treatment and care and, in the most tragic of cases, victims may even die as a result of medical negligence. Not only does substandard care affect victims’ physical health, but it also has an immense impact on their emotional well-being and financial security, as well.

Depending on the specifics of your case, you could be entitled to receive compensation for the following damages:

• Medical expenses associated with further treatment, hospitalization, etc.
• Lost income/wages and other employment benefits (pensions, etc.)
• Future medical expenses and lost earnings
• Loss of earning capacity (disability)
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and trauma
• Costs associated with modifications to a home or vehicle to accommodate a disability
• Medications, medical equipment, and medical devices
• Counseling services

At RisCassi & Davis, P.C., our medical malpractice attorneys in Connecticut fight to help victims of medical malpractice recover the maximum compensation they are owed for their damages. Seven of our attorneys are Board Certified as Civil Trial Law Advocates by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, granting them the rare distinction of being experts in civil trial law. We have an in-depth understanding of Connecticut medical malpractice law and can help you ensure your rights are protected. 

What is a Medical Malpractice “Never Event”?

“Never Events” are shocking medical errors that are so unthinkable they should never occur; often they events have catastrophic consequences for the patient involved. The term “Never Event” was first introduced by Ken Kizer MD in 2001.  Since that time the list has been greatly expanded to include six categories of medical malpractice events:  surgical, product or device, patient protection, care management, environmental, and criminal.

Here are just a few examples of medical “never events”:

• A surgery performed on the wrong body part
• A patient receiving the wrong surgical procedure
• A surgical tool being left behind in a patient after surgery
• Patient death or serious disability associated with the use of contaminated drugs, devices, or biologics provided by the health care facility
• Patient death or serious disability associated with the use or function of a device in patient care, in which the device is used for functions other than as intended
• Patient death or serious disability associated with intravascular air embolism that occurs while being cared for in a health care facility
• Infant discharged to the wrong person
• Patient death or serious disability associated with patient disappearance
• Patient suicide, or attempted suicide resulting in serious disability, while being cared for in a health care facility
• Patient death or serious disability associated with a medication error (eg, errors involving the wrong drug, wrong dose, wrong patient, wrong time, wrong rate, wrong preparation, or wrong route of administration)
• Stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers acquired after admission to a health care facility
• Patient death or serious disability due to spinal manipulative therapy
• Any incident in which a line designated for oxygen or other gas to be delivered to a patient contains the wrong gas or is contaminated by toxic substances
• Patient death or serious disability associated with a fall while being cared for in a health care facility
• Patient death or serious disability associated with the use of restraints or bedrails while being cared for in a health care facility
• Death or significant injury of a patient or staff member resulting from a physical assault (ie, battery) that occurs within or on the grounds of the health care facility

A number of studies have shown that “never events” can be eliminated, or at least minimized, by putting better procedures in place. Because “never events” are entirely preventable, they immediately qualify you to receive compensation for your injuries, or your loved one's injuries.

If you are ever the victim of a “never event”, call a qualified Connecticut medical malpractice lawyer from RisCassi & Davis, P.C. to ensure that your rights are protected. For more than 65 years, our firm has been working hard to protect our clients.