Whether you were the patient who suffered from medical malpractice, or it was a family member who ended up passing away as the result of a health care professional’s negligence, there are damages you can seek in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Knowing which damages to seek is better determined with the help of an attorney, but the following are some options.
General Damages
When it comes to general damages, there are some specifics that many lawyers will have you list. Some examples include:
- Loss of Enjoyment – If medical malpractice caused you an ongoing condition that limits you from enjoying the things you used to enjoy, you could seek loss of enjoyment.
- Lost Wages – Medical malpractice often results in the victim missing work either permanently or temporarily. Depending on the situation, he or she could seek compensation for work already missed, as well as compensation for missed work in the future.
- Pain and Suffering – This comes in all forms and will be different for each victim. If you experienced physical, mental, emotional, or any other form of pain or suffering, this might be something you could seek.
Punitive Damages
When a healthcare professional is intentionally unprofessional or knowingly acts in a way that could harm another individual, the victim could receive punitive damages. This is basically more of a way to slap the hand of the health care provider with a more severe financial consequence than to compensate you for a loss, though you’ll benefit from it.
Special Damages
When a lawyer looks at your situation, he or she may be able to help you file a lawsuit to recover special damages. These could be costs for past medical bills or even lost wages that come with more complications than your typical nine-to-five job.
Damages Based on Death
If the victim of medical malpractice is deceased, his or her family members can file for damages through wrongful death statutes and survival statutes. Wrongful death typically takes into consideration the victim’s future salary, as well as saving habits that would have otherwise benefited the family. Survival statutes include the same types of damages that a surviving victim might seek, though it is awarded to the family when the individual passes away.
Filing for Damages Today
If you feel your situation could benefit from a medical malpractice lawsuit, contact a lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice, like a Philadelphia, PA medical malpractice lawyer. There are many ways you can get compensated for physical, emotional and mental damages, so get the process started today.
Thanks to Wieand Law Firm, LLC for their insight into the damages you may seek in a medical malpractice case.
