We quite literally trust our doctors with our lives, and a betrayal of that trust through negligence and malpractice can have devastating effects. If your medical team’s malpractice has injured you, you may be eligible for compensation. Our Palm Beach Gardens medical malpractice lawyer with Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath is ready to help you.
Recovering from injuries or facing medical problems made worse by misdiagnoses or otherwise improper care can take a toll. A Florida medical malpractice lawyer can help you manage your case to get the medical treatment and compensation you need.
Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath has been providing exceptional legal services for 40 years
Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath began serving Southern Florida communities in 1985. In our firm’s four decades of service, we have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and built a reputation for success. This reputation is built with the dedication of our incredible team, many of whom have been recognized as Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, and contributed to the firm’s recognition as a Best Law Firm in America.
We have taken on large corporations and major insurance companies in our work, and they know that our clients are backed by experience and resources to put up a fight, even if that means taking your case to trial.
Our team helps injury victims secure the compensation they deserve
We can boast our accolades and accomplishments all day, but we can support these claims with evidence. Our commitment to our clients is evident in the reviews they leave us.
You have rights when your medical provider leaves you injured
You have the right to legal representation – You may have the ability to pursue a complaint and lawsuit on your own. However, malpractice claims can become incredibly complicated and difficult to navigate without in-depth legal and medical knowledge. Therefore, you have the right to secure adequate legal representation to handle your case. |
You have the right to file a claim for malpractice – Physicians and medical providers have a duty to follow an appropriate standard of care with their clients. When they fail to do this and it exacerbates or causes your injuries, you have the right to seek compensation for those injuries. |
You have the right to deny settlement offers – Negotiations with insurance are just that, negotiations. If you receive an offer that does not feel fair or adequate, you are not obligated to accept. In most cases, we may even advise you to not accept the insurance company’s settlement. |
You have the right to sue – The settlement process may begin with an insurance claim that you are entitled to make, but if you cannot agree on an appropriate settlement amount, you also have the right to pursue compensation in court with a lawsuit. |
Medical malpractice cases present in a variety of ways
Negligence is a term often heard in personal injury law. However, negligence alone does not necessarily constitute malpractice according to Chapter 766 of the Florida Statutes. Typically, the negligence becomes malpractice when it results in injury to the patient. Some of the more common types of malpractice cases we may take include:
- Unnecessary surgeries
- Misdiagnoses
- Surgical errors
- Delayed diagnoses
- Delayed or inappropriate treatment
- Medication errors
Many medical malpractice lawsuits are against physicians. However, most licensed individuals on your medical team may be vulnerable to a malpractice suit.
Liability in medical malpractice can be complicated
Quality medical care occurs as a team. Therefore, any one or many of your providers may be liable for your injuries. For example, a physician may fail to notice that a current medication can interact with one they are about to prescribe. The pharmacist also has the obligation to cross-reference your medications filled at that pharmacy. Therefore, if you fill and take a prescription with an adverse reaction to another medication you have reported, the physician and/or pharmacist may be responsible.
Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath will help you identify all options for compensation
Something that affects your life as much as a medical malpractice injury comes with significant costs. These costs are not only financial, but emotional as well. The damages you recover will depend on your specific situation, but the state of Florida’s medical malpractice laws allow a few options for recovering damages.
Special damages
Special damages refer to those with a specific associated cost. In a medical malpractice case, these often include things like medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of assistive technology or adaptive renovations to your home. Generally speaking, if you can prove that the costs you incurred were necessary and due to the medical malpractice, these are not limited. This is why we recommend keeping any documentation you gather related to expenses, including bills, receipts, pay stubs, and more.
General damages
General damages refer to the less tangible losses you may incur. These often include the emotional components of the injuries, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and damages for disfigurement. Additionally, if you have lost a loved one due to medical negligence, you may recover these non-economic damages, such as loss of companionship or guidance, when you file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death attorney can help families navigate the complexities involved in medical malpractice that results in death.
Contact an experienced Palm Beach Gardens medical malpractice attorney for the advocacy you need
The last thing you need while recovering from medical negligence-induced injuries is dealing with the related insurance companies to get the compensation and support you need and deserve. At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, our goal is to fight for your interests while you focus on recovery.
Our firm offers services on contingency. This means you will not face any fees without recovery. Additionally, we offer complimentary case consultations that you can schedule online or by phone at 561-655-1990 to discuss your situation and determine the most appropriate next steps. Contact us today for the support you need.
Common questions regarding Palm Beach Gardens medical malpractice claims
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim?
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is two years from the date of injury or discovery. This may seem like a long time, but a medical malpractice lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida will tell you that it can go by quickly, so calling sooner rather than later is often the best course of action for your case.
There may be various timelines involved depending on the nature of the facility in which you sustained harm, so please speak to an attorney to make sure there are no approaching deadlines for your situation.
How long will my case take to resolve?
Due to the complexity of medical malpractice cases, it can be difficult to determine how long your case may take. Important considerations include the severity of your injuries and how long it takes you to complete the necessary medical care to determine the full extent of your injuries, among others. For example, Florida law requires mandatory mediation or a settlement conference according to 766.108 of Florida statute, which is an additional step that must be factored in.
Will my case settle outside of court?
Insurance companies are often motivated to settle outside of court to avoid the additional cost of preparing for a trial and the unpredictability of the judge. Our firm has experienced trial attorneys who can also support your case should it be necessary to go to trial. All of this is to say that it may be more likely that your case settles than goes to court, but this is no guarantee.
Local medical malpractice resources for Palm Beach
In-person or virtual support
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
3360 Burns Road
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
33410
Multiple locations in West Palm Beach