Medical Malpractice Attorney In Middletown, CT
Experiencing medical malpractice can be terrifying for victims. Patients need to feel like they can rely on their medical team to take care of them. When an error or negligence occurs, the effects can be devastating. If you or someone you love has experienced this, a Middletown medical malpractice lawyer can seek compensation.
Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer to Represent Your Unique Case
With over 150 combined years of professional experience, the attorneys at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, can fight for your rights. We offer consultations at our New Haven office to residents throughout Connecticut.
Some of our recent cases have resulted in:
- $3.85 million for a 41-year-old client who suffered from medical malpractice in her breast cancer case
- $1.1 million in a negligence and malpractice case for a client who didn’t receive appropriate care while incarcerated at a juvenile correction facility
- $1 million in a medical malpractice case where a client’s medical provider improperly interpreted their test result, which led to a delay in the client’s diagnosis
In Connecticut, there were 2,387 completed medical malpractice cases between 2019 and 2024. 1,294 of those cases were resolved in favor of the plaintiff. Let’s work together to make sure your case ends in your favor.
Understanding Connecticut Medical Malpractice
In Connecticut, a healthcare provider is any licensed:
- Person
- Hospital
- Clinic
- Other medical facility
This includes their employees or agents. Medical malpractice happens when medical providers commit surgical errors, misdiagnose their patients, or provide negligent hospital care at facilities like the Middlesex Hospital, located at 28 Crescent Street. The National Library of Medicine found that 50% of all patient harm could be easily avoided.
If someone is opening a claim against a healthcare provider for medical malpractice, they must show that the provider didn’t meet the accepted level of care for that type of provider. The accepted level of care encompasses what other providers would do in similar situations.
What Is Mediation?
Connecticut medical malpractice laws require all cases in the state to attempt mediation before proceeding to trial. Mediation is a process wherein a neutral third party enables both parties to communicate and work toward a resolution to their legal case. Mediators don’t make legal decisions. This process is less costly and time-consuming than a trial.
Each side must attend mediation, including their attorneys. Mediation can last up to 120 days, unless the court allows more time.
If the case can’t be resolved through this process, then it will move to trial at the Connecticut Courthouse, located at 1 Court Street.
Types of Damages That Can Be Pursued in a Medical Malpractice Case
In Connecticut, when someone is hurt because of another person’s negligence, certain types of damages can be recovered. These include:
- Economic damages. These are easier to calculate, as they’re based on the financial losses caused by the injury. They can include medical bills, costs for rehabilitation or long-term care, and lost income or earning ability.
- Non-economic damages. These losses are not financial, as they are more subjective, like physical pain and emotional suffering. They can also include the effect the injury has on your quality of life or relationships.
If a Connecticut jury in a medical malpractice case decides that a healthcare provider should pay more than one million dollars for noneconomic damages, the judge must review the verdict. They look at all the evidence to decide whether the amount is too high and unfair. If the amount seems disproportionately large, the judge can reduce the award.
If the party that must pay does not agree to the reduced amount, the judge can cancel the jury’s verdict and order a new trial.
If more than one person caused the injury, each person is responsible only for their share of the damages based on how much they were at fault. A Middletown medical malpractice attorney can advocate for compensation that fully addresses your losses.
FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File My Medical Malpractice Case in Middletown?
In Connecticut, a person has two years from the date they first notice the injury, or should have noticed it with reasonable care, to file a legal claim. The law also recognizes that injuries are sometimes discovered later, especially in medical cases, and allows a court to extend the time to file for a reasonable investigation, usually ninety days. No matter what, a claim cannot be filed more than three years after the act or mistake that caused the injury.
What Happens If Insurance Has Already Paid My Medical Bills?
If a provider or their insurance company pays a patient’s medical bills early, that payment doesn’t mean they’re at fault and can’t be used as evidence against them in court. Also, if a provider doesn’t send a bill for services, that doesn’t mean they did anything wrong, and it can’t be used as proof in a malpractice case.
What Are Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are a rare type of damages that can be awarded in special cases. These damages are meant to punish the guilty party when they’ve acted with extreme malice or recklessness, such as a doctor working while under the influence of drugs. These damages not only compensate monetary losses suffered by the victim, but they are also meant to deter any similar behavior from happening to anyone else in the future.
What Is Needed When Filing My Medical Malpractice Case in Middletown?
In Connecticut, after you hire a medical malpractice lawyer, your attorney must get a written opinion from another healthcare provider in the same field stating that there’s evidence of medical negligence. This opinion can show that the case is made in good faith. Courts automatically give a 90-day extension to file the claim, so the lawyer has time to get this opinion. If the written opinion is not obtained, the court can dismiss the case.
Consult Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers at Our Office in New Haven, Connecticut
You should rely on your medical team to provide you with the care you deserve. When that doesn’t happen, you need a strong legal advocate to fight on your behalf.
When you choose the team at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, you’re working with attorneys who care about their Connecticut neighbors. Reach out to our New Haven office today to schedule your first consultation.
