Iowa Lawyer, VanDerGinst Law, P.C.
About VanDerGinst Law, P.C.
The medical malpractice attorneys of VanDerGinst Law, P.C. have handled hundreds of claims and lawsuits involving medical malpractice, and have recovered millions of dollars in awards and settlements. Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers are experienced members of Trial Lawyer and Consumer groups such as the American Trial Lawyers Association – experienced malpractice lawyers who know how to investigate and litigate or settle your claim. They do not work for any insurance companies – they only represent people like you. They stand ready to protect the rights of innocent victims of medical malpractice, whether caused by a doctor or other type of treatment provider, a hospital, nursing home or a medicine.
VanDerGinst Law offers each malpractice victim a contingent fee attorney agreement so that your access to justice is not compromised or dependant upon your finances. We do not get paid unless and until there is money recovered on your behalf.
According to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), over 225,000 people die each year due to medical malpractice. This has become the third leading cause of death in the United States after deaths from heart disease and cancer.
- 12,000 deaths/year from unnecessary surgery
- 7,000 deaths/year from medication errors in hospitals
- 20,000 deaths/year from other errors in hospitals
- 80,000 deaths/year from infections in hospitals
- 106,000 deaths/year from non-error, adverse effects of medication
Medical malpractice is a doctor’s (or other treatment provider’s) failure to exercise the degree of care and skill that a physician or surgeon of the same medical specialty would use under similar circumstances. Medical malpractice is often commonly known as “med mal” or medical negligence. A lawyer that knows about medical problems & medical laws is needed to help a claim reach the courts in the most complete way possible. A medical malpractice lawyer will work with the hospital system & medical law system to find out what your rights and legal options are. While you or someone you know gets better or recovers from the medical mistake or injury, the medical malpractice attorney will fight for your legal rights.
Medical malpractice does not occur every time there is a bad outcome from medical treatment. However, when it does occur the malpractice victim is entitled to monetary compensation.
While there are various types of medical malpractice claims, generally speaking, a claimant must usually show the following:
- The health care provider owed a duty to the patient
- The health care provider breached that duty
- The patient suffered an injury
- The patient’s injury was a proximate cause of the health care provider’s breach
A physician owes a duty to a patient once a “doctor-patient” relationship has been formed. Such a relationship is usually formed when the physician agrees to care for the patient.
Nonetheless, even if it is established that a duty existed and the health care provider breached that duty (eg. failed to meet the requisite standard of care), a claimant may not recover unless the claimant suffered injuries that were a direct result of the breach.
Medical providers such as physicians, nurses, chiropractors and therapists are generally compassionate and well-educated people who make it their life’s work to help people. Entities such as hospitals, clinics and laboratories also work towards the goal of providing care, treatment and health counseling. Unfortunately, when medical providers are negligent the consequences can be devastating.
At VanDerGinst Law we examine every potential medical negligence case very carefully. We try hard to avoid bringing claims against medical providers unless the negligence and injuries clearly warrant legal attention. We handle cases all across the country, associating with local counsel when necessary to get the best results for our client.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, illness or death, that seems to have been caused by medical malpractice, please call VanDerGinst Law toll free at (800) 604-4LAW (4529) or fill out the FREE online case evaluation. You can also learn more about us by visiting www.vlaw.com.