Medical Malpractice in Leavenworth, Kansas Hospitals
Posted in Lawsuit on January 9, 2020
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional commits an act of negligence – or fails to act – and causes you injury, a worsening illness, and other forms of damages. This negligence can lead to significant consequences, from lengthy recovery times to expensive hospital bills to a reduced quality of life.
If you are a victim of medical malpractice, you have pathways to compensation available to you. You can choose to file a lawsuit against the individuals responsible for your injuries, and under certain circumstances, you can hold the hospital that the malpractice occurred accountable as well. Your claim can help you obtain the compensation you need to recover. Contact a Kansas City medical malpractice lawyer at Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet to learn more.
Holding a Leavenworth Hospital Accountable
You cannot always file a medical malpractice claim against a hospital, especially if the doctor or other professional responsible for your injuries is an independent contractor. If the individual is an employee of the hospital, you may be able to hold the hospital or medical center accountable as well. If the professional is a contractor, your case will have to fall under one of the following two circumstances for the hospital to be liable.
- These facilities must inform you that the professional is a contractor before you seek treatment. If the contractor appeared to be a hospital employee and no paperwork clarified that he or she was a contractor, you may be able to file your claim against the hospital too.
- Some contractors are obviously dangerous and incompetent, but the hospital continues to employ them anyway. If the contractor had a history of dangerous or incompetent behavior and the hospital was aware of the behavior but failed to act on it, you may be able to name the hospital in your lawsuit.
What to Do After Experiencing an Act of Medical Malpractice
In the state of Kansas, you have two years from the date of the malpractice to file a lawsuit in civil court. If you were not aware of your injuries until a later date, you have two years from the date of discovery to file your claim, up to four years after the date of the malpractice. Because of this statute of limitations, it is important to act quickly.
If you discover that you were a victim of medical malpractice, remain calm and follow these steps to seek help.
- Do not speak to the hospital or publicly discuss your case on online forums before speaking to a lawyer. The defense attorneys for the hospital may use what you say to the facility or post to the internet as evidence against you in your case.
- Contact a medical malpractice attorney to assist you with your case. Filing a claim against a hospital can be daunting, and a lawyer with a background in medical malpractice cases can walk you through the process.
- Collect all available medical records and evidence of the damages you suffered. Your attorney can help you determine which specific documents you may need to collect.
- Seek medical treatment from another facility. You may be suffering from additional injuries or illnesses. Go to a different hospital in Leavenworth or the surrounding areas as soon as possible, and remember to save all of your records from this visit.
Hospitals in Leavenworth, KS
Leavenworth, Kansas is home to several hospitals and medical centers, and is within driving distance of others as well. If you experienced an act of medical malpractice at any of the following Leavenworth facilities, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the individuals responsible for your injuries, as well as the hospital itself.
- Saint Luke’s Cushing Hospital
- Saint John Hospital
- Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center
Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet can help you with your Leavenworth medical malpractice case. With over 25 years of experience, our Kansas City personal injury lawyers can defend your case in the courtroom, as well as advocate aggressively for your needs at the negotiating table. While no amount of money can erase the harm that the hospital caused, we can help you determine avenues to collect the funds you need to heal. Contact us today to discuss your case and strategize your next steps.