Connecticut Medical Malpractice LawyerHurt by a medical mistake? Get answers.
When medical care causes serious harm, it can be difficult to know whether the outcome was unavoidable or the result of negligence. Ganim Injury Lawyers helps patients and families understand their legal options, investigate what happened and pursue accountability when medical negligence causes injury.
Attorney George Ganim · Ganim Injury Lawyers · 3422 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT
Legal Help When Medical Care Causes Harm
Patients place enormous trust in doctors, nurses, hospitals and other healthcare providers. When something goes wrong, however, an unexpected outcome does not automatically explain whether the care was appropriate or whether medical negligence occurred.
Medical malpractice cases require a careful review of what happened before, during and after the treatment. Ganim Injury Lawyers helps injured patients and families investigate the circumstances, obtain and review relevant records, identify potentially responsible healthcare providers and understand the legal options that may be available.
If you believe a medical mistake caused additional injury or made an existing condition worse, getting answers early can help you understand what should happen next.
What Qualifies as Medical Malpractice in Connecticut?
A poor medical outcome does not automatically mean malpractice occurred. A claim generally requires evidence that a healthcare provider failed to meet the applicable standard of care and that the failure caused harm.
Determining that often requires reviewing the treatment, medical records and other evidence. Connecticut also has specific pre-suit requirements for many medical-negligence claims.
Applicable Standard of Care
The first question is what level of care, skill and treatment was expected from a reasonably prudent similar healthcare provider under the circumstances.
Possible Breach of That Standard
The evidence must be evaluated to determine whether an act or failure to act fell below the applicable professional standard of care.
Injury and Resulting Losses
The claim must also consider whether the negligence caused or contributed to an injury and what medical, financial and personal losses resulted.
Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle
Medical negligence can occur at different stages of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Ganim Injury Lawyers evaluates claims involving a range of alleged medical errors and failures that may cause patients additional harm.
Failure to Diagnose or Delayed Diagnosis
A missed or delayed diagnosis may allow an illness or medical condition to progress before appropriate treatment begins.
Surgical Errors
Claims may involve alleged mistakes during surgery, failures in surgical planning or errors connected with postoperative care.
Medication Errors
Incorrect medications, dosages or medication-management mistakes may cause additional injury or complications.
Failure to Treat
A claim may arise when appropriate treatment, monitoring or follow-up care was not provided under the circumstances.
Birth Injuries
Some claims involve alleged medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, delivery or immediate newborn care.
Anesthesia Errors
Errors involving the administration, monitoring or management of anesthesia can result in serious harm.
How a Medical Malpractice Claim Is Investigated
Medical malpractice claims often require a detailed review of the care that was provided, the patient's medical history and the injuries or complications that followed. The investigation can help determine whether there may be grounds to pursue a claim against one or more healthcare providers.
Understand What Happened
We begin by learning about the treatment, what the patient was told, when problems developed and how the patient's condition changed.
Gather Relevant Medical Records
Medical records, test results, imaging, treatment notes and other documentation may help establish the sequence of care and what occurred.
Evaluate the Medical Evidence
The records and circumstances must be evaluated to determine whether there may have been a departure from the applicable professional standard of care.
Identify Potentially Responsible Providers
Depending on the circumstances, the investigation may involve physicians, hospitals or other healthcare providers involved in the patient's treatment.
Prepare the Claim
If the evidence supports moving forward, the case can be prepared in accordance with Connecticut's procedural and filing requirements.
Compensation in a Connecticut Medical Malpractice Claim
Compensation depends on the injuries, evidence and circumstances of the case. A claim may include both financial losses and the personal impact of the injury.
Medical & Rehab
Costs for treatment, rehabilitation and other necessary care related to the injury.
Lost Income
Lost wages and, in serious cases, reduced ability to earn income in the future.
Future Care & Other Losses
Ongoing treatment, support needs and other documented losses caused by the injury.
Pain & Suffering
Compensation for physical pain and the emotional effects of the injury.
Connecticut Requirements That Can Affect a Medical Malpractice Claim
Are There Special Requirements Before Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
Connecticut law imposes special requirements on many negligence actions against healthcare providers. Before filing, the attorney or person bringing the case generally must make a reasonable inquiry to determine whether there are grounds for a good-faith belief that negligence occurred. The complaint must include the required good-faith certificate, and the statute also addresses obtaining a written opinion from a qualifying similar healthcare provider. Because the qualifications and procedural requirements can depend on the healthcare provider and circumstances of the claim, these issues should be evaluated carefully before a lawsuit is filed.
How Long Do You Have to File a Connecticut Medical Malpractice Claim?
Connecticut General Statutes §52-584 generally provides that covered malpractice actions must be brought within two years from when the injury was first sustained or discovered, or reasonably should have been discovered. The statute also generally contains an outside limit of three years from the act or omission complained of. Other circumstances can affect the analysis, and Connecticut law also contains provisions relating to an extension for the reasonable inquiry required in malpractice matters. Do not rely on a general website deadline to determine whether a particular claim is timely.
Why Injured People Choose Ganim Injury Lawyers
Personal Attention
Clients receive clear communication and guidance from a local legal team that understands the stress an injury claim can create.
Trial Experience
The firm works toward an appropriate settlement while remaining prepared to litigate when negotiations do not produce a fair result.
Statewide Representation
Based in Bridgeport, Ganim Injury Lawyers represents clients throughout Fairfield County, New Haven County and communities across Connecticut.
Connecticut Medical Malpractice FAQs
What qualifies as medical malpractice?
A bad medical outcome does not automatically mean malpractice occurred. A claim generally requires evaluating whether a healthcare provider failed to meet the applicable professional standard of care and whether that conduct caused injury or additional harm. Connecticut law defines the professional standard of care by reference to reasonably prudent similar healthcare providers.
How do you prove a medical malpractice claim?
Medical records, treatment history and other evidence are reviewed to determine what care was provided and whether there may have been a departure from the applicable standard of care. Medical malpractice cases must also involve opinions from qualified healthcare professionals regarding the care provided and the basis for the claim.
Do I need a medical opinion before filing a lawsuit?
Connecticut has special pre-suit requirements for many negligence actions against healthcare providers. The law generally requires a reasonable inquiry and a good-faith certificate, and it addresses obtaining a written opinion from a qualifying similar healthcare provider. The exact requirements should be evaluated for the particular claim and provider involved.
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in Connecticut?
Connecticut General Statutes §52-584 generally provides a two-year period measured from when the injury was sustained or discovered, or reasonably should have been discovered, and generally includes an outside three-year limit measured from the act or omission complained of. Different circumstances can affect the analysis, so a specific case should be reviewed promptly rather than relying only on a general online deadline.
How much is a medical malpractice case worth?
There is no reliable average value for a medical malpractice claim. Potential compensation depends on factors such as the nature of malpractice, severity of the injury, medical treatment and future medical treatment, lost income or earning capacity, and the effect of the injury on daily life.
What should I bring to a medical malpractice consultation?
Bring whatever information you already have, such as the names of the healthcare providers involved, treatment dates, medical records, discharge paperwork, test results, prescriptions, bills and a basic timeline of what happened. Do not delay asking for legal guidance simply because you do not yet have every record.
Attorney George Ganim represents patients and families throughout Connecticut, including but not limited to: