The Hidden Costs of Medical Negligence: Beyond Medical Bills
Following a medical professional’s medical negligence, you may be stuck with a looming stack of medical bills. Although medical expenses comprise the majority of a medical malpractice claim, you must consider your future losses as well. This is especially true if you have sustained long-term effects or permanent disability. Calculating future damages is crucial to obtaining the financial resources you need. Also, you will want to quantify your pain and suffering damages, showing how your injury impacted your personal and professional life.
Sadly, the insurance company wants to minimize your payout to line its pockets. At Ginsberg & O’Connor, our Cherry Hill medical malpractice attorneys know that your health matters most. That is why our legal team is prepared to advocate on your behalf to obtain maximum compensation.
Future Medical Expenses
Medical negligence occurs anytime a healthcare professional fails to administer reasonable care to a patient. If you have suffered a serious injury, you may have ongoing medical costs. These may include rehabilitative therapies, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy. Other medical costs may include in-home nursing care, which can be expensive if you need 24-hour assistance.
In cases of paralysis or if you are prone to falls, you may need a stairlift to access the second floor, grab bars in the shower, or a wheelchair ramp to enter the home. These costs may change over time since your condition is likely to progress with age. To accurately calculate these costs, our team of legal professionals will confer with your medical team and consult with life-care planning experts.
Lost Wages
Being unable to work is only made worse by thousands of dollars in medical bills. The days that you are in the hospital, days recovering from surgery, or days that you are undergoing medical treatment can all be counted toward lost wages. You are even entitled to compensation for vacation time or sick leave, allowing you to save those days for later use. Lost wages can include income, bonuses, and overtime.
Diminished Earning Capacity
If physical limitations or cognitive deficits leave you unable to work or force you to work a reduced schedule, you can claim diminished earning capacity. If you are still able to work (but must work fewer hours or a lower-paying job), then you may be able to recoup the difference between your pre-injury and post-injury wages.
Our legal team often confers with vocational experts and economists to determine diminished earning capacity. Diminished earning capacity is calculated based on projected earnings, taking into account the number of working years you have left, your skills, and the industry forecast.
Intangible Losses
Intangible losses are any losses that do not have a financial component but impact a person’s quality of life. Known as pain and suffering damages, these losses are difficult to quantify. Common pain and suffering damages in a medical malpractice case include emotional distress, disfigurement/scarring, and permanent disability.
Speak with Our Cherry Hill Medical Malpractice Attorneys Today
A medical injury can make you unable to work, with your time being consumed by follow-up visits, physical therapy, and revision surgeries. At Ginsberg & O’Connor, we believe that recovering physical and financial damages is key to the healing process. If a physician’s oversight or negligence has injured you, do not hesitate to contact our Cherry Hill medical malpractice lawyers. To schedule your free consultation, our office can be reached online or by calling (856) 727-1991.