We turn to doctors and hospitals when we’re at our most vulnerable, and we have few options other than putting our complete trust in them. If, however, you were injured – rather than helped – in the process, it can lead to devastating consequences that include challenging emotional pain and suffering. While you can seek the compensation that you’re entitled to through a medical malpractice claim, it’s a legally challenging process, and strict time limits apply. Turn to an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for the skilled legal guidance you need.
Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations
Every state limits the amount of time that those harmed by medical malpractice have to file lawsuits against the doctors or medical facilities whose negligence caused them to be injured. This is called the statute of limitations, and in Pennsylvania, it’s a mere two years. The clock starts ticking at the time you suffered an injury or at the time that you knew or reasonably should have known you’d been injured.
Medical malpractice cases are nothing if not complex, and this brief timeline makes it that much more important to reach out for focused legal representation early in the process.
Pennsylvania’s Statute of Repose
It’s important to point out that the State of Pennsylvania also has a statute of repose that adds an additional layer to the imposed time restriction. Ultimately, you have only seven years – in total – from the time of the precipitating event to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. This is regardless of when you discovered you’d been injured by the doctor or hospital’s negligence. The only exceptions are for injured minors and for those harmed by foreign objects left in their bodies during surgery.
Is It Medical Malpractice?
Not every adverse health outcome is caused by medical malpractice. Instead, medical malpractice relates to negligence or lack of necessary skill on the part of the medical professional or facility. Put more simply, if the doctor or hospital failed to employ the same level of care that other doctors or hospitals would have under similar circumstances or if they failed to apply the accepted standard of care, it may support a medical malpractice claim.
The elements that are necessary to bring a successful medical malpractice claim in Pennsylvania include the following:
- The doctor or hospital owed you a duty of care, which is generally the case if you have a doctor/patient relationship or if you’re a patient in the hospital or medical facility.
- The doctor or hospital failed to live up to this responsibility, which means they failed to uphold the accepted standard of professional care.
- You suffered legal damages – or losses – as a direct result of the doctor or hospital’s breached duty of care.
You Need an Experienced Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Attorney in Your Corner
The seasoned Harrisburg, PA, medical malpractice attorneys at Marzella and Associates have the compassion, drive, and resources to help you recover compensation for the full scope of your physical, financial, and emotional losses, and we welcome the opportunity to do so. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 866-488-5461 and scheduling a free consultation today.