Detroit Lakes Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Ready to Protect Your Rights & Health

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries or harm due to the negligence of a healthcare professional or medical facility in Detroit Lakes, MN, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses. Medical malpractice cases can be complex and challenging, requiring the expertise of a skilled and experienced attorney to navigate the legal process. At Maring Williams Law Office, we have a team of dedicated medical malpractice lawyers ready to fight for your rights and help you obtain the justice you deserve.

Don't hesitate to contact our Detroit Lakes medical malpractice attorney at (218) 228-6332 for a free consultation.

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice refers to a situation in which a healthcare professional or medical institution fails to provide the appropriate standard of care to a patient, resulting in harm or injury to the patient. It can occur when a medical professional deviates from the accepted medical standard of care, leading to negligence or incompetence in their actions.

Common forms of medical malpractice include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: When a healthcare provider fails to diagnose a medical condition accurately or in a timely manner, leading to delayed treatment or incorrect treatment.
• Surgical errors: Mistakes made during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or performing an unnecessary procedure.
• Medication errors: These can occur when prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. It may involve giving the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or failing to consider a patient's allergies or drug interactions.
• Anesthesia errors: Mistakes related to administering anesthesia during medical procedures, such as administering too much or too little anesthesia or failing to monitor the patient's vital signs properly.
• Birth injuries: Injuries sustained by a baby or mother during childbirth due to medical negligence or mistakes made during delivery.
• Infections: Healthcare-associated infections due to inadequate sterilization procedures or lack of proper hygiene.
• Failure to obtain informed consent: When a patient is not adequately informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a medical procedure before giving consent.
• Neglect in nursing homes: Mistreatment or negligence towards elderly residents in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
• Failure to follow up or communicate: When healthcare providers fail to follow up on test results or communicate essential information to other healthcare professionals, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment.
• Lack of appropriate follow-up care: Failing to provide necessary post-treatment care or monitoring, leading to complications or worsening of the patient's condition.

Minnesota Medical Malpractice Laws

In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is generally four years from the date of the alleged malpractice, or two years from the date the patient discovered or should have discovered the injury, whichever comes first.

To succeed in a medical malpractice lawsuit, the injured party (plaintiff) must prove the following elements:

1. Duty of Care: The plaintiff must establish that a healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, surgeon, etc.) owed them a duty of care. This means that there was a doctor-patient relationship, and the healthcare professional had a legal obligation to provide a standard of care consistent with accepted medical practices.
2. Breach of Duty: The plaintiff must demonstrate that the healthcare professional breached their duty of care. This involves showing that the provider's actions or omissions fell below the accepted medical standard of care, meaning that the healthcare professional did not act reasonably or competently in the given circumstances.
3. Causation: The plaintiff must prove that the healthcare professional's breach of duty was the direct cause of the injuries or harm suffered. This requires a showing that the injuries were a foreseeable consequence of the provider's negligence.
4. Damages: The plaintiff must provide evidence of actual damages resulting from the healthcare professional's breach of duty. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other measurable losses.

Before filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Minnesota, the plaintiff is required to obtain an expert affidavit. This affidavit must state that the plaintiff's attorney has consulted with a qualified medical expert who has reviewed the case and believes there is a basis for a medical malpractice claim. This requirement helps filter out frivolous lawsuits.

Minnesota requires that parties attempt mediation before proceeding with a medical malpractice lawsuit. The goal is to encourage settlement and avoid lengthy court battles.

Let Our Firm Fight for You Today

At Maring Williams Law Office, we are committed to providing the highest level of legal representation for victims of medical negligence. Our experienced attorneys will guide you through the legal process, advocating for your rights and striving for the best possible outcome.

Contact us today at (218) 228-6332 to schedule a free consultation.