If you suspect medical malpractice, it’s in your best interest to speak to a seasoned Harrisburg medical malpractice attorney right away to determine your next steps. At Marzella & Associates, we help patients and their families understand what happened and what legal options are available. Our medical malpractice lawyers serve Harrisburg, PA, and offer practical information about medical malpractice.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Just because a treatment didn’t work or made your condition worse doesn’t mean your medical provider made a mistake. However, when they fail to meet the accepted standard of care, and that failure injures you, you can hold them liable in a medical malpractice claim. The legal definition focuses on crucial elements:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed
- The provider failed to meet the standard of care
- That failure caused an injury
- The injury resulted in significant damages (medical bills, lost wages, long-term disability, or death)
Unfortunately, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. each year.
If You Suspect Medical Malpractice, Start Here
You don’t need to have legal training or medical knowledge to suspect that something went wrong with your care. You may have seen red flags, such as a diagnosis that didn’t make sense, a rushed surgery, delayed treatment, or symptoms that were ignored. If you’re in that position, you can start by writing down everything you remember. Dates, names of providers, what you were told, and how your symptoms changed. These details matter later.
Likewise, request your medical records right away. You may need to sign a release, and there may be a small fee. However, these documents often hold clues as to what really happened. It’s also recommended that you get a second medical opinion. A fresh set of eyes can help you understand whether your treatment followed standard protocols or if your concerns are medically valid. Lastly, discuss your situation with a Harrisburg medical malpractice lawyer.
What Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys Can Do for You
Medical malpractice cases are some of the most complex claims lawyers handle. Pennsylvania law requires that, before filing a malpractice lawsuit, your attorney must secure a certificate of merit from a qualified medical expert confirming that your case has merit or legal weight.
That means your lawyer must review all relevant medical records, consult with board-certified specialists, show how your provider’s mistake caused your injury, and establish how your life has been negatively affected as a result. Ultimately, your lawyer’s goal is to fight for what you deserve, whether that means negotiating directly with insurers or preparing for trial.
Seek Legal Help From Our Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Lawyers
If you believe medical negligence played a role in your injury or the death of a loved one, schedule your free case review with Marzella & Associates at 717-876-8681 or contact us online. The sooner we look into your case, the easier it is to gather the facts, get justice, and hold the right people accountable.