We all expect our doctors, dentists, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners to follow established standards of care in order to keep their patients safe. We go into a doctor’s office or hospital with a reasonable belief that they will practice effective medicine; that we will be protected from further harm and, ultimately, healed. When doctors don’t follow those standards, lives can be changed forever. The compassionate personal injury attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC have been helping victims of harmful care rebuild their lives for more than 30 years.
Medical malpractice deeply affects your life. If you or a loved one has experienced a medical mistake, contact a Watertown medical malpractice lawyer today for your free, confidential consultation to help you understand your legal options. We represent you on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we don’t recover compensation on your behalf, you owe us nothing—no fees and no costs.
The potential for malpractice is great, and D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC covers a wide range of areas in protecting our clients. They include:
Cancer Misdiagnosis. A cancer misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose robs you of the ability to receive potentially life-saving treatment during the earliest stages of the disease when it is most treatable.
Surgical Errors. There is risk inherent in any surgery, but there is also an expectation that medical professionals follow correct procedures and uphold the established standards of care in all surgeries.
Heart Attack Misdiagnosis. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in the United States. Tragically, a significant number of those heart attacks would not have been fatal but for a doctor’s misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose the condition in a timely manner.
Suicide Malpractice. There are few medical events more stigmatized or with more popular misconceptions than suicide. Perhaps the most prevalent myth is that many or most people who have attempted suicide or expressed suicidal ideation are “destined” to commit suicide and nothing and no one can prevent it from happening.
Medication Errors. Among the most critical responsibilities for medical professionals is ensuring patients receive the correct medication. Unfortunately, medication errors are far too common, and when mistakes are made in dispensing or administering medication, lives can be changed forever.
Birth Injury. When a baby is born healthy, the possibilities are unlimited. However, a child who suffers a birth injury may be saddled with a lifetime of disability and serious challenges.
Anesthesia Errors. Many serious injuries result from complications involving anesthesia. That’s why it’s critical that medical professionals carefully monitor patients.
Emergency Room. Doctors, nurses, and other emergency room staff are expected to ask the right questions, order the right tests, and pay attention to the symptoms that will help them make a correct diagnosis. When they don’t follow standards of care, patients can have serious or even fatal complications.
Hospital Negligence. When you go to the hospital, you have a reasonable expectation that you will receive quality care. Unfortunately, too many patients are injured in hospital settings when the standard of care is not met.
Stroke Misdiagnosis. Because strokes are caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain, early intervention is critical. People who are not diagnosed and treated in a timely way may be left with permanent brain damage or worse.
Nurse Malpractice. Nurses have an obligation and a duty to provide proper care and attention to their patients, and most meet that standard of care admirably. But when a nurse fails to meet the standard of care, serious injuries can follow.
Dental Malpractice. Dentistry isn’t just cosmetic; it’s a critical part of overall health. When dentists and dental hygienists don’t follow established standards of care, patients can be seriously injured.
Because Connecticut state law places strict time limits on those seeking medical malpractice damages, you need to act quickly if you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice. First and foremost, you should contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. In addition to understanding state law surrounding these issues, a proactive Watertown attorney will investigate acquiring a good faith opinion letter, which must take place before any medical malpractice lawsuit can proceed, and help determine if your case meets the necessary requirements to file a medical malpractice suit.
Here are the basic steps to follow if you believe medical malpractice has occurred:
Contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Watertown. Medical malpractice claims are too complicated to be pursued without a well-practiced attorney.
Here are some of the steps that your legal counsel will follow:
If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, contact our medical negligence attorneys in Watertown now for a free remote consultation.
Legally, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the standard of care either through action or omission, resulting in the injury or death of a patient. While that’s a broad definition, there are four key elements that must be present in a malpractice suit to prove that malpractice occurred:
If all of these elements are not in place, a medical malpractice suit cannot go forward. Simply determining whether malpractice has occurred can be a complex process, so you should have a knowledgeable Watertown medical negligence lawyer guide you through it.
Unlike some other states, Connecticut places no cap on the amount of damages that can be awarded in a medical malpractice case, so there really is no “average.” That lack of a hard cap means that, if your attorney can successfully prove that acceptable standards of care were not met and harm resulted, they can fight for a fair award. In that case, you could be compensated for the loss of future earnings; pain, suffering, and mental anguish; and future medical and other expenses related to your care.
At D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, we know how to win medical malpractice cases for our clients. Here are just a few examples:
Medical malpractice cases are exceptionally complex, requiring consideration of both medical standards and relevant state laws to successfully resolve. We’ve focused on medical malpractice since 1990 and can help you navigate a legal path forward, allowing you to focus on putting your life back together.
When you call us, we’ll listen closely to your concerns. When you explain what happened, we’ll give you clear, honest answers about your legal rights and options. Our initial conversation is free, completely confidential, and there’s no obligation.
We’ll also launch a thorough investigation to determine what happened and what medical standards applied. Our thorough investigation and preparation toward trial often lead to a negotiated settlement. If a negotiated settlement is not reached, we’ll be ready to go to trial, including preparing our arguments and honing our strategies in our simulated courtroom.
Throughout the process, we’ll be your committed and dedicated legal resource while you focus on getting better.
If you or someone you love is a victim of medical malpractice, you need to take immediate action so we can start our investigation. It’s not just a legal matter; it’s about helping you rebuild your life in the wake of tragedy, injury, or illness.
Our office is centrally located in Watertown, and we offer legal counsel to malpractice victims and their families throughout Connecticut. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Watertown medical malpractice lawyer.
It is generally two years from the date of injury, but there are exceptions. There is a one-year notification period for a state institution or medical provider. In some cases involving municipalities, there is a quick notice requirement that can be as short as 90 days.
Most medical malpractice cases take about 2 to 5 years.
You can be compensated for the loss of future earnings; pain, suffering, and mental anguish; and future medical and other expenses related to your care. In cases involving death, funeral expenses, conscious pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life are recoverable elements of damages.
Unlike some other states, Connecticut places no cap on the amount of damages that can be awarded in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
D’Amico & Pettinicchi will represent you on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we don’t recover compensation on your behalf, you owe us nothing—no fees and no costs.
