Think a Medical Mistake Caused Serious Harm? Start With a Conversation.
When an unexpected medical outcome causes serious injury or loss, patients and families may be left with difficult questions. Smith Butz can help you discuss what happened, understand the issues that may need further investigation, and determine an appropriate next step.
A serious medical outcome can raise difficult questions.
When medical care does not go as expected, patients and families are often left trying to understand what happened. Was the outcome an unavoidable medical complication? Was something missed or diagnosed too late? Was the proper treatment provided? Did a medication or surgical error cause additional harm? Did the healthcare provider appropriately respond when the patient's condition changed?
These are not easy questions, and they are not questions that most people are in a position to answer on their own. A bad medical outcome alone does not necessarily mean medical malpractice occurred. Medicine involves inherent risks, and even careful, appropriate care can sometimes result in a poor result. Determining whether a potential claim may exist often requires careful evaluation of what happened and the medical circumstances surrounding it.
The purpose of speaking with an attorney is not to assume that something went wrong, but to begin asking the right questions — and to determine whether further legal and medical review may be warranted. Smith Butz can help you start that process.
Medical Malpractice Matters We Can Help You Evaluate
These are examples of the kinds of concerns people bring to Smith Butz for an initial conversation. None of these situations automatically establishes malpractice.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Situations where a serious medical condition may not have been identified or treated within an appropriate period of time.
Surgical Errors
Concerns involving errors or preventable injuries occurring during or surrounding a surgical procedure.
Medication Errors
Potential mistakes involving medication selection, dosage, administration or interactions that result in serious harm.
Failure to Monitor or Respond
Situations in which a patient’s worsening condition or warning signs may not have been appropriately recognized or addressed.
Birth-Related Injuries
Serious injuries to a mother or child associated with pregnancy, labor, delivery or immediate post-delivery care.
Hospital or Healthcare Facility Negligence
Potential failures involving hospitals, healthcare facilities, systems or staff that may contribute to preventable patient harm.
Serious Medical Injury or Wrongful Death
Cases involving catastrophic injury, permanent impairment or the loss of a loved one where questions exist about the medical care provided.
A Bad Outcome Does Not Always Mean Malpractice — But Serious Questions Deserve Answers.
Medical malpractice generally involves more than simply experiencing an unsuccessful treatment or a known complication. To understand whether a potential claim may exist, the circumstances may need to be reviewed carefully.
That review may involve considering what treatment was provided, what the healthcare provider knew at the time, whether appropriate medical standards may be relevant, whether different actions could potentially have prevented the harm, and whether the suspected issue actually caused or contributed to the patient's injury.
These cases often require review of medical records and, where appropriate, input from professionals familiar with the relevant area of medicine. The purpose of contacting an attorney is to begin evaluating those questions — not to reach a conclusion before the facts have been examined.
This information is general in nature and is not a definitive legal test or individualized legal advice. Every situation depends on its specific facts.
You Don't Have to Diagnose the Legal Problem Before You Call.
Many people are not sure what kind of lawyer they need when a serious medical outcome raises concerns — they simply know that something does not seem right and they want to talk to someone who can help them sort through it. You do not need to have the medical or legal answer before reaching out.
- Start with a real conversation about what happened.
- Explain the medical event and resulting harm in plain language.
- Get help identifying the legal questions that may need to be investigated.
- Understand what records or information may be important.
- Determine whether further medical-malpractice review is appropriate.
- When appropriate, determine whether additional counsel or specialized litigation resources should become involved.
What Happens When You Contact Smith Butz?
Tell Us What Happened
Start with a conversation about the medical care, what went wrong or raised concerns, the resulting injury, and the circumstances surrounding the situation.
We Help Evaluate the Situation
Smith Butz can help identify the legal issues that may warrant further investigation and determine what information or records may be important.
Determine the Appropriate Next Step
Medical-malpractice matters can require specialized legal and medical review. Depending on the circumstances, additional counsel or resources with experience suited to the particular matter may become involved.
Information That May Help When You Call
You do not need to have everything organized before reaching out. The following is simply a list of information that can help begin the conversation if you have it available.
Do not delay contacting an attorney simply because you do not yet have all of these materials. The most important step is to describe what happened.
What to Do If You Suspect a Serious Medical Error
The following is general guidance, not legal advice for your specific situation. Every case is different, and the right steps depend on what happened.
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from an attorney familiar with the specifics of your situation. It is not intended to suggest disregarding legitimate medical advice.
Medical Malpractice Frequently Asked Questions
If Something Doesn't Seem Right, You Deserve the Opportunity to Ask Questions.
If you or a family member suffered serious harm and you have questions about the medical care that was provided, contact Smith Butz. Start by telling us what happened, and we can help determine what the appropriate next step may be.
Discuss What Happened
Take the first step. Tell us what happened and we will respond to you as soon as possible.
Call Us Today
(724) 745-5121
Email Us
info@smithbutzlaw.com
Visit Our Office
88 Center Church Road
McMurray, PA 15317