Medical malpractice is never acceptable. However, some medical errors are so unbelievable and shocking that they are called “never events.” When doctors or healthcare professionals commit these events, they can be held liable for damages under Florida’s medical malpractice laws.
The Miami medical malpractice lawyers of Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers represent patients throughout South Florida. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases. We get results because we are dedicated legal advocates who are passionate about seeking justice for injury victims.
Call our law firm at (305) 937-0191 for a free consultation with an experienced Miami never events lawyer. Find out how we can help you get the justice you deserve after a medical error in Miami, Florida, contact us here.
Table of Contents
How Our Miami Medical Malpractice Lawyers Help Victims of Never Events
Medical malpractice cases are complicated injury claims. You have the burden of proof in these cases. You must have evidence establishing the level of medical care required in your case. Then, you must show how the doctor’s conduct fell short of that level of care. Sound complicated? It is; that’s why Florida law requires injured patients to hire medical experts to testify in medical malpractice suits.
At Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our Miami personal injury lawyers handle all aspects of your claim. You do not need to worry about legal requirements or learning the law. We will do the work.
When you hire Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to handle your case, you can expect us to:
- Handle the investigation into the malpractice claim
- Consult with medical experts regarding your case
- Work with your physicians to document the extent of your injuries
- Gather evidence documenting your damages
- File all insurance claims and notices of claim to protect your legal rights
- Negotiate for the full value of your damages
- Monitor statutes of limitation deadlines for filing lawsuits
Medical negligence can result in devastating conditions for patients. Our lawyers work to get you the money you deserve after a doctor causes a wrongful death or injury.
Call our law office to schedule a time to speak with a Miami never events lawyer. Your initial consultation is free of charge.
Examples of Never Events That Could Result in Medical Malpractice Claims
A “never event” is the term used to describe specific medical errors. The errors are preventable and generally result in severe harm, death, or disability for the patient. The term was first used by Dr. Ken Kizer in 2001.
The Agency for Health Research and Quality includes at least 29 “serious reportable events” that qualify as never events in seven different categories. The categories for never events include:
- Patient protection
- Care management
- Environmental
- Products or services
- Procedural and surgical
- Radiological
- Criminal acts
Never events are rare, but they do happen. The consequences for patients can be catastrophic.
Medical errors related to surgery are some of the most common never events. Some other examples of never events in Miami-Dade County include, but are not limited to:
- Performing surgical procedures on the wrong patient or the wrong body part
- Leaving a foreign object inside a patient during surgery
- Having metal objects in the MRI area
- Discharging a patient too soon or to the wrong person
- Medication errors that result in patient harm or death
- Unsafe use of blood products
- Severe injuries and deaths from falls in healthcare facilities
- Injury or death of an infant during a low-risk birth
- Using contaminated equipment or medical devices
- A patient developing Stage 3 or 4 bedsores while in a healthcare facility
- Performing the incorrect medical procedure
- Burns sustained by a patient in a healthcare facility
Healthcare facilities and doctors must take steps to prevent never events. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) developed guidelines for the payment of care and treatment for injuries resulting from never events. CMS also announced it would continue to explore ways to reduce or eliminate the number of never events in medical facilities.
Can I Sue for Damages Caused by Never Events?
Yes, if the never event resulted in harm to you or a family member, the doctor may be guilty of medical malpractice. You can file a suit against the doctor, the medical facility, and other parties responsible for the malpractice.
If you prove that the never event caused your injury, you could recover compensation. Your economic and non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical treatment and care
- Lost wages and benefits
- Impairments and disabilities
- Reductions in future earning potential
- Personal care and nursing care
- Disfigurement and scarring
As discussed above, you have the burden of proving malpractice. First, you need testimony from medical experts to establish the level of care that should have been used in your case. Then, you must prove that the doctor breached the duty of care owed to you by failing to meet the standard of care. Lastly, you must prove the breach of duty caused your injuries and damages.
Our law firm has the resources necessary to hire expert witnesses and investigate the circumstances that led to your injuries. In addition, our attorneys have significant legal experience and knowledge from decades of handling medical malpractice claims.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Medical Malpractice Law Firm in Miami, FL
You never expect to suffer harm because of medical errors or mistakes until it happens to your family. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with one of our medical malpractice lawyers in Miami, FL. Let’s work together to hold medical professionals responsible for their negligence and wrongful acts.