If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to medical malpractice, you might be eligible for compensation. Fortunately, a seasoned medical malpractice lawyer could evaluate your case and help you recover the damages you deserve. Reach out to a skilled attorney who has experience recovering damages in St. Petersburg medical malpractice cases. Call today and set up a consultation.
Recoverable Damages in St. Petersburg Medical Malpractice Cases
The types of damages an injured medical malpractice victim could recover come in the form of economic and non-economic damages. Past and future medical expenses, past and future wage loss or loss of earning capacity, and assisted living expenses all fall into the category of economic damages. In some cases, a victim may lose the ability to work in the same fashion that they were once able, and any accommodations necessary in this capacity would also fall into the economic category.
Victims may also file a claim for non-economic damages. Pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life all fall into this category. These damages are relatively conceptual and having an experienced attorney by one’s side could make these claims more easily understandable for a jury.
What Are Punitive Damages?
In Florida, punitive damages are not as rare as they may be in other jurisdictions. Punitive damages are not awardable in Florida for standard or ordinary negligence. However, if the facts support an argument and demonstrate an elevated form of negligence called gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or fraud, a plaintiff could potentially recover punitive damages.
How Are Damages Calculated in St. Petersburg Medical Malpractice Cases?
Typically, the calculation or amount of damages when presented in a trial context is conducted by two expert witnesses. One is a life care planner, who is usually a doctor who has experience with determining what types of medical expenses an injured person might need in the future to maximize their functioning. For example, somebody might need frequent MRI to track the injury to make sure that it is not getting worse. A person may need physical therapy or occupational therapy-type rehabilitation in the future. They may need medications, and so a life care planner would be a witness who would calculate all of this over a person’s anticipated life expectancy and then provide that to the jury.
The other expert witness used for calculating damages could be an economist. The economist could factor in how missed time from work and how the medical expenses could impact the injured victim’s future costs.
Statute of Limitations for St. Petersburg Medical Malpractice Cases
In Florida, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases is generally two years. There are exceptions to the two-year rule that could extend the statute of limitations for up to four years, in even more rare circumstances, potentially seven years. For help with filing a strong claim within the statute of limitations, individuals should obtain a lawyer who has had success recovering damages in St. Petersburg medical malpractice cases.
Call for More Information About Damages in St. Petersburg Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
If you have suffered due to the negligence of a medical professional, it is only right that you are able to recover compensation. Call today to learn about your rights and how a lawyer could help you get the compensation you deserve. Let an attorney with experience recovering damages in St. Petersburg medical malpractice cases fight for you.
