malpractice info

Information for Beaver County Residents on Medical Malpractice Claims

Malpractice occurs, that is the reality.  Whether you go to the Medical Center, Sewickley Hospital, or a UPMC facility, or just to your local doctor, mistakes can be made.  With the great majority of treatments provided by doctors and hospitals, the treatment and advice provided is good and the doctor-patient relationship is maintained. 

In some instances, however, medical errors are made and the patient suffers harm due to the negligence of the doctor or hospital. In these instances, a consultation with a local medical malpractice attorney to discuss a possible malpractice claim is warranted.  The attorney can review your case and determine whether or not a claim can be made for malpractice against the doctor or hospital.

Medical malpractice claims can be complicated due to the requirements of Pennsylvania law.  When you file a Complaint against a doctor or hospital, you are required to file a Certificate of Merit as well.  A Certificate of Merit is a statement by your lawyer indicating that the case has been reviewed by an independent medical expert and that the expert has determined that you have a valid case against the doctor or hospital.  Usually these physician experts are not from your area because local physicians are often hesitant to criticize a fellow physician. Your attorney then has to find a medical expert outside of your area or even outside of Pennsylvania.

Not all malpractice events will lead to a lawsuit against a physician or hospital.  Sometimes a mistake is made and the injury suffered.  Not all bad outcomes lead to viable cases either.  Sometimes a surgery will not result in a good result but the success of a surgery is not guaranteed and it is possible that the outcome is a risk of having a surgery.  this is why it is important to consult with a good medical malpractice attorney.

For statistics on the filing of medical malpractice claims by county, including Beaver County, please visit this page.

Articles I've Authored on other legal issues:

• Do You Have a Case?
• Do You Need A Lawyer for Your Accident Case?
• What Does the Insurance Company Owe you When You Are Injured?
• The Legal System and Your Injury Case
• Pennsylvania Statutes of Limitations - How Long do You Have to Sue?
• What is Your Accident Case Worth?
• The Impact of Divorce on Accident Claims
• Causes of Automobile Accidents and How the Facts Affect Your Claim
• What Should You Do if You Are Involved in a Car Accident?
• Motor Vehicle Law - Rear-End Crashes and The Assured Clear Distance
• Motor Vehicle Law - The Intersection Accident
• Motor Vehicle Law - Cross-Over Accidents and Head-On Collisions
• Liability of a Driver for Waving Another Driver Through Traffic
• Car Insurance Issues - Basic Considerations for Automobile Insurance
• Car Insurance Issues - Underinsured Motorists Coverage in Your Car Insurance
• Car Insurance Issues - Uninsured Motorists Coverage in Your Car Insurance
• Car Insurance Issues - Medical Benefits and Lost Wages
• Car Insurance Issues - What is Limited Tort and Why Should You Care?
• Car Insurance Issues - The Economics of Limited Tort
• Dog Bites and Animal Attacks in Pennsylvania - a Lawyer's Perspective
• Gun Accidents and Firearm Injuries