Did you go to the doctor only to end up even sicker than before? Unfortunately, this is a situation that the Farmington medical malpractice lawyers of Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm have seen time and time again. When doctors fail their patients, our attorneys are here to hold them accountable for their actions.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine determined that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in America, claiming an estimated 250,000 lives per year. Many more are injured through the negligent actions of health care professionals. If you have suffered harm at the hands of your doctor, you may be eligible for compensation.
We offer free consultations, giving you the opportunity to discuss the details of your case at length with an actual Farmington medical malpractice attorney.
Were You the Victim of Medical Malpractice?
There are few guarantees in the medical field. Treatments, medications, and surgeries are not foolproof, and you might spend weeks or months visiting doctors and specialists for a health condition without making much headway. This is not necessarily an indication of medical malpractice, as some illnesses and injuries do not respond well to treatment.
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor deviates from the accepted standard of care and causes harm to a patient as a result. For example, a doctor who failed to order imaging for someone presenting with symptoms of a broken bone would have committed medical malpractice.
If you are unsure whether your poor outcome was the result of doctor error or negligence, a Farmington medical malpractice lawyer from Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm can advise you of your legal options.
What To Do if You Are the Victim of a Medical Error
If you were harmed due to the negligent, reckless, or wrongful actions of a medical professional, we advise taking the following actions:
Seek a Second Opinion
Your health should be your number one priority, which is why we encourage all victims of medical malpractice to seek a second opinion or additional care from a different doctor. Your new doctor should be able to:
- Assess your current condition and any symptoms
- Prescribe new medications or order refills of current prescriptions
- Order imaging or blood tests
- Diagnose new or existing health conditions
- Prescribe a treatment plan
- Refer you to specialists
Document Everything
Begin documenting relevant information from the moment you suspect something might be wrong. Your Farmington medical malpractice attorney will use this information to begin building a strong case that demonstrates how you suffered at the hands of the medical establishment. Here is the type of information our attorneys are looking for:
- Medical records that show diagnoses, treatments, prescription medications, surgeries, test results, and more
- Dates of medical appointments, who you saw, and what was addressed
- Dates of calls with the insurance company, who you spoke with, and what you discussed
Do not worry if you don’t have all of the above information documented. One of our first steps in any medical malpractice lawsuit is helping our clients gather relevant information necessary for the claim.
Medical Malpractice Claims We Handle
To secure compensation for your injuries, you must be able to definitively prove how you were harmed. Identifying the negligent action or type of medical error you suffered is crucial to the success of your legal claim. You will want to work with a medical malpractice attorney who can help you identify the source of your harm and who also has experience in the matter.
At Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm, our Farmington medical malpractice lawyers have represented clients who have suffered a wide range of medical errors, including:
- Allergic reactions
- Anesthesia errors
- Birth injuries
- Diagnostic errors (including misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis)
- Medical chart or record errors
- Medication errors
- Surgical errors
Proving Medical Malpractice in New Mexico
Establishing that negligence occurred is a key point of any medical malpractice claim. The threshold for proving negligence is much more difficult in medical malpractice lawsuits than it is in other types of civil cases, though. The following is the process our medical malpractice attorneys in Farmington, NM follow when establishing the legal basis for negligence:
- Prove that a doctor-patient relationship existed between you and the at-fault party. When this relationship exists, the doctor owes you a duty of care.
- Show that the health care provider’s negligence breached the duty of care.
- Demonstrate how that breach of care caused your injuries.
- Calculate the damages you suffered as a result.
Do You Need a Farmington Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
In our decades of experience serving San Juan County, Eddy County, Bernalillo County, and other communities all across New Mexico, we have proven ourselves as uncompromising advocates for victims of medical malpractice.
The reality of filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is much more challenging than most people realize. The insurance companies responsible for paying out claims are often resistant to accepting liability, and even when they do acknowledge that a medical error occurred, they try to minimize compensation at every turn.
We Are Expert Negotiators
We advise against trying to negotiate with the insurance company on your own. Medical malpractice insurers are big businesses with a goal of making profits, not helping victims. Any offer they give you is likely less than what you will need to make the fullest possible recovery.
At Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm, the Farmington medical malpractice lawyers do not allow the big insurance companies to push our clients around. When you choose to work with our law firm, you can be assured that we’ll deal with the insurance company for you. From filling out forms and meeting deadlines to negotiating for the best possible settlement, you’ll always have someone on your side.
We Value Your Claim
The costs associated with a medical error can be profound. In addition to any medical care you originally needed, you may be facing a lifetime of ongoing doctor’s appointments, treatments, and medications. You deserve the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled.
The following are just a few examples of damages for which you may be entitled to compensation:
- Lost wages from time off work
- Reduced earning capacity if you are unable to return to the same level of work
- Medical bills, including those for doctor’s visits, surgeries, and more
- Renovations to your vehicle or home to accommodate a new disability
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Loss of consortium or companionship
You deserve to be compensated for the harm you suffered because of a medical error. Only work with a Farmington medical malpractice lawyer who is prepared to consider both your current and future medical expenses, and who is willing to call in other experts when necessary.
We Stand Up for Medical Malpractice Victims in Farmington, NM
Our law firm prides itself on the attorney-client relationships we are able to build and foster. This strong foundation creates the basis for a powerful medical malpractice lawsuit. New Mexico state law only grants us a short period of time to do this, though.
You have only three years from the date the error occurred to file a lawsuit. Building a strong case takes time, so do not forfeit your legal right to seek compensation for your injuries—contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Farmington medical malpractice lawyer.
