Doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other medical practitioners are among the most trusted professionals in the modern world. That is not without good reason, as advances in medicine has provided society with amazing solutions for illnesses and injuries.
Unfortunately, medical professionals may abuse that trust by failing to provide an acceptable standard of care. When this occurs, victims may be able to file a lawsuit for compensation against the at-fault medical personnel or establishment.
If you were injured at the hands of a healthcare professional, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your injuries with a personal injury attorney’s assistance. Get in touch with a St. Johns County medical malpractice lawyer to begin discussing your legal options, examining the details of your case, and building an effective legal strategy.
Medical Malpractice in Emergency Circumstances
The law is designed to look out for blameless injury victims while still protecting doctors and medical professionals from unreasonable lawsuits. One downside to this, however, is that any medical malpractice that occurs in emergency situations may be ineligible for compensation in court. This particular exemption is defined by Florida Statutes §768.1345 and has two primary components.
Lack of Pay
First, a medical professional may be immune to a lawsuit if they provided their services in an emergency without the expectation of pay. For example, a doctor who helps a person during a heart attack on a plane may fall into this category.
Reasonable Conduct in the Circumstances
Secondly, doctors or other healthcare professionals may be immune to a lawsuit if they acted in a manner consistent with the behavior of other professionals in a comparable situation. In an emergency scenario, a medical professional may not have access to all the information they would have in a hospital, and they may lack appropriate tools to aid in their services.
For these reasons, if they do not stray from a reasonable standard of care, they may not be considered liable for a poor outcome like they would in a calmer setting. A St. Johns County medical malpractice attorney could help determine whether either of these conditional exceptions applies to a case.
Deadline for Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim in St. Johns County
Medical malpractice is a special circumstance that is treated differently from other personal injury claims in Florida. Whereas a typical personal injury suit—such as one stemming from a car crash—would have a statute of limitations of four years, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice claim would include unique limitations.
Specifically, if the injury is one that could reasonably be discovered within two years, the action must be brought within two years, according to Fla. Stat. §95.11(4)b. Considering the complicated nature of this law, victims should seek the services of an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in St. Johns County to ensure that their case is brought to court in time.
Speak with a St. Johns County Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
You may experience significant pain and suffering as a result of a doctor’s negligence, as well as extensive medical bills, lost wages, inability to work in the future, and more. With the help of a compassionate and skilled attorney in St. Johns County, you could work toward the justice and compensation you need to set your life back on course.
If you are injured due to an error in practice or judgment by a doctor or medical professional, it may be in your best interests to consult with a St. Johns County medical malpractice lawyer as soon as conveniently possible. Call today to start working on your case.
