The South Carolina medical industry holds a huge responsibility: to keep you, your loved ones, and the entire community as safe and as healthy as possible. Many talented and passionate health care professionals work hard to make a positive difference — but negligence is also shockingly common.
When negligence in health care leads to physical or emotional suffering, it’s important to take action with help from a Greenville medical malpractice lawyer. The more you know about the scope of the problem, the better you’ll understand the value of seeking legal representation in the aftermath of a negligence-related personal injury incident.
Medical malpractice is a huge problem across the nation and right here in the Greenville area. Research suggests that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States.
The South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) hopes to address this with the Zero Harm program, which acknowledges successes in preventing medical errors. Data compiled by SCHA reveals that, in 2020, individual hospital days free of central line infections and surgical incidents could account for savings of $10.85 million dollars, not to mention far better patient outcomes. Still, the state has a long way to go.
Medical negligence can take several forms. Many of these — such as surgical errors — are immediately identifiable. Others may not become evident until months or years later. The following are among the most common issues that lead to medical malpractice claims:
A variety of South Carolina regulations influence local medical malpractice cases. For example: the state sets a strict statute of limitations, mandating that medical malpractice claims be filed within three years of the date of discovery or the treatment itself. Claims cannot be filed more than six years after medical negligence takes place.
Local procedural requirements must also be taken into account. The state requires injured patients to submit Notices of Intent to File Suit, which identify specific care providers who may be targeted in medical malpractice lawsuits. Affidavits from expert medical witnesses must also be submitted.
Given these complications, it’s important to work with a proactive Greenville medical malpractice lawyer. Your attorney can handle the complex aspects of the legal process on your behalf. Additionally, your attorney will work hard to maximize your compensation. These efforts may be shaped, in part, by South Carolina’s cap on medical malpractice damages.
As a victim of medical malpractice, you deserve justice and financial relief. Both can be obtained when you work with the right Greenville medical malpractice lawyer. Attorney selection could make all the difference as you seek damages for your injuries.
An ideal resource? The team at Smith Jordan. Our medical malpractice attorneys know what it takes to produce a positive outcome — even when handling complex and highly emotional cases. We’ll tailor our approach based on the specifics of your situation. We’re here to ease the burden so you can focus on recovery. Contact us today to get started with a free case consultation.