Las Vegas Medical Malpractice Lawyer
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Las Vegas Medical Malpractice Attorney
Every day, thousands of people living and working in the Las Vegas area trust medical professionals to provide safe and effective treatment for a vast array of injuries and illnesses. Every healthcare professional has a duty to uphold the standard of care, which is the minimum level of accepted treatment for their injury or illness, for each patient they treat. Unfortunately, medical negligence does occur in Las Vegas on a regular basis, often with devastating effects.
Helping Victims of Medical Malpractice Recover in Las Vegas
If you recently suffered injuries and/or adverse health outcomes due to a medical professional’s negligence or professional misconduct, it could form the basis of a medical malpractice suit. While medical malpractice technically falls within the purview of personal injury law, there are specific rules that apply to these claims that you must understand if you want to reach the optimal outcome for your case.
An experienced Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney is an invaluable asset to have on your side if you believe you have grounds to file this type of civil suit. A successful medical malpractice claim can potentially yield compensation for the economic losses inflicted by the negligent medical professional’s actions and compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced. When you choose the attorneys at Easton & Easton as your legal representatives, we will do everything we can to help streamline your recovery efforts and maximize the compensation you obtain from the defendant.
Basic Elements of a Medical Malpractice Claim in Las Vegas
A personal injury occurs whenever one party’s actions cause harm to another party. Personal injuries may happen due to intentional misconduct of some kind or negligence, a term that defines failure to exercise reasonable care and caution in a given situation. Medicine is an inherently uncertain field and there is a margin for error in virtually every course of medical treatment used today. When a medical professional crosses the line between an honest and understandable mistake and harm caused through negligence, this forms the foundation of a medical malpractice case.
To succeed with any medical malpractice claim in Las Vegas, the plaintiff must prove the following:
- A patient-physician relationship existed between them and the defendant. This means the defendant must have agreed to treat the patient, and the patient must have agreed to the treatment.
- The defendant failed to meet the standard of care applicable to the plaintiff’s condition. The professional medical community reaches a consensus regarding accepted medical treatments for known conditions based on the most recent research. They may only stray from a patient’s standard of care if the typically accepted course of treatment would be dangerous or ineffective due to the patient’s unique individual health characteristics.
- The defendant’s breach of the standard of care caused actual harm to the patient. This means the plaintiff must prove they suffered tangible and measurable losses from the defendant’s actions, such as increased health care expenses, lost income from the inability to work, and physical pain and suffering.
- The harm in question would not have occurred but for the defendant’s medical malpractice. In other words, the plaintiff must have evidence to show that their damages could not have resulted from any other cause.
An experienced Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney is the ideal resource to consult if you need help proving these elements of negligence. Under Nevada law, the plaintiff who wishes to bring a medical malpractice suit against a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional must obtain an affidavit of merit from an appropriately qualified physician to accompany their claim.
This affidavit of merit is crucial, and a claim is likely to be thrown out if the plaintiff does not provide it. The affidavit must come from a medical professional who possesses medical credentials identical to or greater than the defendants. They must also have the same medical board certifications. For example, a general practitioner cannot submit an affidavit against a board-certified specialist if they do not have the same board certification.
Easton & Easton can help our client meet the foundational requirements of their case, securing the affidavit of merit they need to substantiate their claim for compensation and helping them file the case within the applicable statute of limitations. Once you have completed the preliminary steps of your case, the next challenge is proving the full extent of the damages you suffered because of the defendant’s medical malpractice.
Commonly Reported Examples of Medical Malpractice
The term medical malpractice is quite broad and can apply to any type of injury that occurs in a medical treatment setting because of a medical professional’s failure to meet their patient’s standard of care. A few of the most commonly reported types of medical malpractice that occur in Las Vegas include:
- Diagnostic errors. Diagnosing physicians must use an appropriate differential diagnostic procedure to accurately determine their patients’ conditions. Some medical conditions will mimic the appearance and symptoms of others, so there is always a margin for error in most diagnoses, but there is a difference between an honest mistake and a failure to properly diagnose a patient due to negligence. If a patient is incorrectly diagnosed, they could be subjected to treatments that are harmful and do nothing to correct their actual condition, and their actual problem may continue to worsen to critical levels.
- Surgical errors. Any surgery entails a degree of risk to the patient, and the surgeon performing a procedure must have the victim’s informed consent to proceed with the treatment in question. If a surgeon operates on the wrong body part, traumatically injures the patient internally due to incompetence, or otherwise causes harm through negligence, this can result in devastating injury.
- Anesthesia errors. Anesthetics are necessary for many medical procedures, especially surgeries. Anesthetizing agents allow medical professionals to keep patients sedated as they perform operations and treatments that would be too painful for the patient if they were awake. However, incorrect and negligent applications of anesthesia can be incredibly harmful or even fatal. Liability for an anesthesia error could fall to an anesthesiologist, a surgeon, or a combination of multiple parties.
- Medication errors. Doctors who prescribe their patient’s medications must ensure their prescriptions are accurate, and pharmacists who fill those prescriptions must verify dosage, instructions, and indications for potential adverse interactions with other drugs. Medication errors have the potential to cause gradual harm to the patient, but they may also cause acute traumatic injury or illness.
- Professional misconduct. Doctors and other medical professionals have inherently stressful jobs, and this, unfortunately, encourages some to attempt medical treatment while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Whenever professional misconduct amounts to medical malpractice and causes patient harm, the defendant not only faces liability for the victim’s damages but also professional consequences, potentially including loss of their medical licenses.
- Emergency room errors. The emergency room is inherently the most chaotic and demanding part of any hospital, and emergency room staff face tremendous pressure to ensure every patient receives the medical care they need as promptly as possible. Emergency room error claims may entail failure to treat a patient, incorrect diagnosis, or other negligence on the part of medical professionals or hospital staff working in the emergency department.
- Birth injuries. Any injury to a mother or her child during childbirth can be incredibly traumatic for the family. Infants injured during childbirth commonly develop permanent medical complications that can impede their cognitive, physical, social, and behavioral development. Birth injuries can also impose long-term or lifelong medical expenses on the parents.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the ways that medical malpractice might manifest in Las Vegas hospitals or other treatment facilities. If you are unsure whether an injury you recently suffered in a medical setting constitutes grounds for a civil suit, it is imperative to reach out to an experienced Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.
Easton & Easton can review the details of how your injury occurred and help determine the most viable method of holding the at-fault party accountable for the harm they’ve done. Our team has successfully helped many past clients secure compensation for their injuries from malpractice and other personal injuries, and we are ready to apply this experience to your case.
Claiming Compensation for Medical Malpractice in Las Vegas
Under state law, the defendant responsible for the medical malpractice injury you experienced is fully liable for any and all economic losses the injury inflicted on you and your family. Nothing limits economic damages in medical malpractice claims filed, and working with an experienced Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney is the optimal way to ensure maximum compensation for these financial damages. At minimum, a medical malpractice claim plaintiff who succeeds with their case can expect to secure compensation for their medical expenses and lost income.
The doctor or other medical professional who harmed you is responsible for any medical expenses you incur for necessary corrective treatment. This includes any potential long-term medical expenses you might incur for future treatments your injuries require. For example, you may require not only extensive immediate treatment following your injury but also ongoing rehabilitative and therapeutic care for many years. In addition, the defendant is liable for all medical expenses that directly result from their malpractice.
If you cannot work because of your injury, the defendant is liable for the money you cannot earn. The same rule would apply to lost future income if they caused a disability that prevents you from returning to work in the future. Your Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney can help calculate the future income you can no longer earn because of their malpractice, accounting for the age you expected to retire and future inflation.
The plaintiff in a medical malpractice suit also has the right to seek pain and suffering compensation from the defendant. Unfortunately for the plaintiff, state law limits non-financial damages in medical malpractice claims to $350,000 regardless of the severity of the victim’s losses. Working with a seasoned Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney is the ideal option for maximizing this aspect of your recovery and securing as much compensation as possible from the defendant who injured you.
Resolving Your Medical Malpractice Claim in Las Vegas
Most of the personal injury cases filed in Las Vegas each year end in private settlement negotiations, and this applies to medical malpractice cases as well. It behooves a defendant to settle a civil suit as quickly as possible to avoid protracted litigation that will lead to more expensive legal fees. The plaintiff also benefits from a swift settlement, securing the compensation they need to recover more quickly than a trial would allow. However, settlement requires both parties to be willing to negotiate and compromise on mutually acceptable terms.
In the event that the defendant in your claim refuses to negotiate, denies liability, or contests the scope of damages you are seeking in your claim, your case will need to be resolved through litigation. Therefore, it’s vital to have legal counsel you can trust if your case proceeds to this stage. Your attorney will help prepare for your courtroom sessions and present the most compelling case possible before the judge.
Ultimately, whatever your medical malpractice claim entails, you have the greatest chance of securing the compensation you legally deserve with experienced legal counsel on your side. Easton & Easton can help secure the evidence needed to firmly prove that the defendant violated the standard of care you required in your case, and we will also look for every available avenue of compensation that might be available to you to enhance your final case award. We will seek to settle your medical malpractice case swiftly if possible, but we have the resources, skill, and experience to represent you in litigation if necessary.
Medical Malpractice Attorneys FAQs
Q: What Constitutes Medical Malpractice?
A: If you are unsure whether you have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim in Las Vegas, it is important to know Nevada’s law regarding the definition of medical malpractice. The most basic definition is a medical professional’s failure to meet the standard of care a patient requires for their injury or illness. There is a difference between an honest mistake made in good faith and an injury caused by medical malpractice, and an experienced Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney is the ideal resource to consult to help determine whether you experienced the former or the latter.
Q: How Much Compensation Can You Claim for Medical Malpractice in Las Vegas?
A: If you can prove that you suffered harm from medical malpractice, the defendant who injured you is responsible for compensating you for all the medical expenses you incurred from the injury. They are also liable for the money you can’t earn because of the injury they inflicted, and state law allows the plaintiff to seek as much as $350,000 in compensation for their pain and suffering. Your Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney can offer an estimate of your claim’s potential value.
Q: What Is the Most Common Type of Medical Malpractice?
A: Negligent diagnostic errors are the most common types of medical malpractice reported in the United States. These may include failure to diagnose a serious illness, delayed diagnosis, or delivering an incorrect diagnosis. Any type of diagnostic negligence could allow the patient’s actual condition to worsen, and it may also subject them to ineffective or even potentially harmful treatments they do not actually need.
Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Medical Malpractice Claim in Las Vegas?
A: The Nevada statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims is three years from the date the malpractice occurred. However, the evidence of medical malpractice is not always immediately noticeable for every victim. Therefore, in the event that you are unable to detect the effects of medical malpractice right away, the statute of limitations shifts to one year from the date the victim discovers the harm that’s been done to them.
Q: How Much Will a Las Vegas Medical Malpractice Attorney Cost?
A: The attorneys at Easton & Easton accept medical malpractice and other personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis. This ensures the client pays no upfront or ongoing legal fees, and they pay nothing at all if our team is unable to secure compensation on their behalf. In addition, if we win your medical malpractice case, we will only take a portion of the total amount of compensation we secure on your behalf. Again, this ensures there are no financial risks to you when you choose our firm to represent your claim.
Experience Las Vegas Medical Malpractice Lawyer
The attorneys at Easton & Easton know the stress, uncertainty, and frustration that can follow any injury caused by medical malpractice. If you trusted any healthcare professional in Las Vegas to provide safe and effective treatment and they negligently violated your trust, we can help hold them accountable. If you’re ready to learn how our team can assist in your recovery efforts, contact us today and schedule a conference with a Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney.
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.
Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.
Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
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Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
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The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
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Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!