Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Helping the Victims of Medical Negligence Obtain Financial Recovery
Chicago medical malpractice attorney Robert M. Cohen represents patients who have been injured or died as a result of medical negligence or preventable medical error. If you were injured or a loved one died as a result of medical negligence, you may be able to obtain financial recovery through a medical malpractice lawsuit
In Northbrook, contact medical malpractice attorney Robert M. Cohen at 847-790-4246 to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice – or medical negligence – occurs when a doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider fails to comply with the applicable standard of medical care. Common errors made by healthcare professionals that may be considered medical malpractice include the following:
Medication Errors – Medication errors may include administering the wrong dose, prescribing the wrong medication, administering a medication to the wrong patient, or pharmacy mistakes. These errors injure approximately 1.5 million patients each year
Surgical Errors – In the United States, approximately 4,000 surgical errors injure patients annually. Alarmingly, operating on the wrong body part and leaving objects inside patients’ bodies are common types of mistakes made by surgeons.
Diagnostic Errors – Between 40,000 and 80,000 patients are injured or killed every year because of diagnostic errors. When physicians fail to order the appropriate tests, make an incorrect diagnosis, or fail to follow-up with patient conditions, lifesaving treatments may be delayed.
Miscommunication – Electronic health records may increase the risk of miscommunication in healthcare settings. The tendency to copy and paste information into patient charts may be a contributing factor.
How Common Is Medical Malpractice?
Preventable medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Johns Hopkins University reports that approximately 250,000 people lose their lives every year to medical mistakes and negligence. According to the National Practitioner’s Data Bank (NPDB), more than 12,000 medical malpractice cases are reported annually.
Proving Liability in a Medical Malpractice Case
To prove liability in a medical malpractice case, the plaintiff must be able to demonstrate that:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care;
- The defendant breached his or her duty of care by failing to comply with the appropriate medical standard of care;
- The plaintiff was injured as a result of the defendant’s failure to adhere to the appropriate standard of medical care.
Additionally, medical malpractice cases involve testimony from medical experts, complex legal issues regarding negligence, and complicated medical information. As such, pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit requires detailed preparation, extensive resources, and substantial litigation skill.
Recovering Compensation for Medical Malpractice Injuries
If the defendant is found liable for medical malpractice, the plaintiff may be awarded money damages for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Household services
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of society or companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Why Choose Robert M. Cohen to Handle Your Medical Malpractice Case
For more than 35 years, medical malpractice attorney Robert M. Cohen has handled medical malpractice cases and other negligence cases. As a result, he has gained a wealth of knowledge about the factual issues involved in medical malpractice cases, gathered a vast network of medical experts to assist with the legal process, and litigated numerous cases through trial in order to obtain favorable results.
Our injury law firm offers a free consultation and from the very first meeting, you will notice our level of personal attention and commitment to our clients’ overall health and well-being. We understand the physical, financial, and emotional toll that an injury or death can cause, and we provide the client service that such circumstances demand.
If you suspect that you or a loved one was the victim of medical negligence, contact our office at 847-790-4246 to schedule a free consultation.