Arizona Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Do You Need an Arizona Medical Malpractice Attorney?
For more than 30 years, Rasmussen Injury Law has represented injured people through medical negligence. From hospital mistakes and injuries resulting from missed diagnoses to birth injuries and wrongful death, our team stands ready to fight for your right to full compensation.
Call Rasmussen Injury Law today at (480) 637-5757 for a free case evaluation.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is a type of personal injury that occurs when a healthcare professional acts negligently, leading to the injury or death of a patient. This negligence can include errors such as misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, insufficient treatment or monitoring, emergency room mistakes, medication errors, and surgical mistakes.
Medical malpractice cases occur every day in our country. If you or a loved one has been affected by medical malpractice, you are not alone. Medical malpractice is believed to be the country’s third leading cause of death; more than 250,000 deaths result from medical malpractice every year.
Arizona statute of limitations allows just two (2) years from the date of the incident—or discovery of the malpractice—to file a claim. Exceptions may apply in cases involving minors or delayed discovery.
If you suspect medical negligence has injured you, call Rasmussen Injury Law at (480) 637-5757 as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.
Our Practice Areas
Common Hospital Mistakes That Can Lead to Medical Malpractice
Common hospital errors can result in serious injuries, chronic pain, and worsening medical conditions. Common errors include medication mistakes, surgical errors, delayed diagnosis, and communication failures. In severe cases, these mistakes can lead to chronic pain, permanent injury, or even death.
Rasmussen Injury Law is here to help after a hospital error. With more than 30 years of practicing law, we have the expertise to help resolve your medical malpractice claim in Arizona. Call (480) 637-5757 to schedule a free legal consultation.
The Most Common Hospital Mistakes
Some frequent hospital errors include:
- Prescription Errors: Incorrect medications, dosages, or failure to account for allergies.
- Surgical Errors: Wrong-site surgery or leaving instruments inside the body.
- Delayed Diagnosis: Increased risk of complications due to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
- Anesthesia Errors: Incorrect administration leading to serious injury.
- Infection Control Failures: Poor sanitation exposes patients to infections.
- Communication Failures: Miscommunication between healthcare teams causes errors or billing mistakes.
- Falls and Patient Injuries: Inadequate assistance during recovery leading to injuries.
- Failure to Monitor: Neglecting post-surgical monitoring of patient conditions.
- Improper Discharge: Premature discharge causing complications.
- Birth Injuries: Any presence or combination of the above errors may result in injury to a newborn baby.
If you believe that you have received a misdiagnosis or received treatment that led to a major injury, the consequences can be devastating. At Rasmusen Injury Law, we evaluate your Arizona medical malpractice injury case at no cost. Our attorneys will study your case and determine what your options and your rights are.
Failure to Diagnose Cancer
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Over two million diagnoses and more than 600,000 deaths occur annually—a number projected to rise significantly by 2040. Early detection through screenings is critical in preventing cancer-related fatalities.
When doctors fail to diagnose cancer promptly, they expose patients to prolonged treatment, worsened recovery outcomes, and even death. If your doctor failed to address your cancer before it spread, you may be entitled to damages. Contact Rasmussen Injury Law today at (480) 637-5757 for a free evaluation.
What Is a “Failure to Diagnose” Injury?
A “failure to diagnose” injury occurs when healthcare providers fail to identify cancer during routine screenings due to ignored symptoms, misinterpreted test results, or insufficient communication within the healthcare system. These errors can lead to prolonged recovery periods and even wrongful death.
Medical Errors Leading to “Failure to Diagnose” Cancer
Common errors include:
- Ignoring Warning Signs: Symptoms like weight loss or fatigue that should prompt further investigation.
- Misdiagnosis: Incorrectly diagnosing less severe conditions instead of cancer.
- Failure to Order Additional Testing: Neglecting biopsies or imaging scans necessary for early detection.
- Poor Communication: Delayed communication between the healthcare team, causing missed diagnoses.
When Do You Need a “Failure to Diagnose” Lawyer in Arizona?
If you have suffered due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose cancer or another condition, consult an experienced attorney immediately. Rasmussen Injury Law can help establish negligence and build your case for compensation. Call us today at (480) 637-5757 for assistance.
Birth Injury
What Is a Birth Injury?
Birth injuries may occur before, during, or after delivery and can range from mild conditions that resolve on their own to severe injuries causing permanent damage or even wrongful death. Approximately six out of every 1,000 births result in birth injuries.
Birth Injury Symptoms
Common birth injury symptoms include:
Fractures and Bone Breaks
Fractures and bone breaks, such as clavicle fractures, are common during difficult deliveries and may cause pain, limited movement in the affected limb, or visible deformities. While most fractures heal quickly with proper care, complications like nerve damage or improper healing can lead to long-term issues if not addressed promptly.
Seizures
Seizures in newborns are often a sign of brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation or trauma during delivery. They may present as abnormal movements, lip smacking, or changes in eye movement and can indicate underlying neurological damage that requires immediate medical attention.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injury in infants can result from physical trauma during delivery or oxygen deprivation, leading to symptoms such as abnormal head shape, seizures, poor reflexes, and developmental delays. The severity of TBI varies but may cause long-term cognitive, motor, or sensory impairments if untreated.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth and affects muscle control, coordination, and balance. Symptoms may include stiff or floppy muscles, involuntary movements, delayed developmental milestones, and speech difficulties, often requiring lifelong therapy and care.
Spinal Cord Trauma
Spinal cord trauma during birth can result from excessive force or improper handling during delivery and may cause paralysis, loss of sensation, or difficulty breathing. Depending on the injury’s location and severity, symptoms can range from partial weakness to complete loss of movement below the injury site.
Types of Medical Errors Leading to Birth Injury
Birth injuries can result from:
Excessive Force During Delivery
Excessive force during delivery, such as improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, can cause severe birth injuries, including skull fractures, brain damage, and nerve injuries like Erb’s palsy or facial palsy. These tools require precise handling; any misuse or excessive pressure can lead to long-term physical and neurological damage to the newborn.
Oxygen Deprivation
Oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia, occurs when the baby does not receive adequate oxygen during labor or delivery due to complications such as umbilical cord compression or maternal infections. Prolonged hypoxia can result in brain injury, developmental delays, and conditions like cerebral palsy, with effects ranging from mild impairments to severe disabilities.
Delayed Diagnosis
Delayed diagnosis of birth injuries can prevent timely treatment, leading to worsening conditions such as cerebral palsy or developmental delays. Medical professionals who fail to recognize symptoms or order appropriate tests risk allowing treatable conditions to progress beyond recovery.
Improper Fetal Monitoring
Failure to monitor fetal distress during labor can result in missed warning signs like abnormal heart rates or oxygen levels. This negligence increases the risk of complications such as brain injury, hypoxia, or even stillbirth if emergency interventions like cesarean delivery are not performed promptly.
Excessive Medication Use
Overuse of medications like Pitocin to induce labor can lead to uterine hyperstimulation, reducing oxygen supply to the baby and increasing the risk of hypoxia and brain injury. Excessive medication may also contribute to maternal complications during labor.
Failure to Perform Necessary C-Sections
Delaying or failing to perform a medically necessary cesarean section during prolonged labor or fetal distress can result in serious birth injuries. Conditions such as umbilical cord compression or breech positioning require timely surgical intervention to prevent oxygen deprivation and physical trauma.
Untreated Maternal Infections
Untreated maternal infections like Group B Streptococcus (GBS) or chorioamnionitis can pass to the baby during pregnancy or delivery, causing complications such as sepsis, brain damage, and respiratory distress. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are critical to preventing these life-threatening outcomes.
Do You Need a Birth Injury Attorney?
Birth injury cases are complex and often require expert analysis. Hiring an attorney increases your chances of securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Rasmussen Injury Law operates on contingency—you only pay if we win your case. Call our law firm at (480) 637-5757 for your free evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered medical malpractice in Arizona?
To claim medical malpractice, a doctor must fall below the standard of care of a doctor/medical provider in the same field/position of work. There are risks to most if not all, medical procedures. And unfortunately, some risks lead to injuries or adverse consequences. That does not mean the doctor committed malpractice.
However, if the doctor did something or failed to do something that a reasonable doctor would not have done in that situation, then it could result in malpractice. A medical expert's opinion is necessary to establish if the doctor committed malpractice. A lawyer will help you find a doctor to examine your case and provide an opinion as to whether the medical provider at issue fell below the standard of care.
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim?
The traditional statute of limitations/time frame to file a medical malpractice claim is two (2) years. However, in situations of medical malpractice, learning about the potential malpractice may not arise until many months or years after the malpractice occurred. In that situation, the victim has two (2) years to claim from the time they learned or should have known about the potential malpractice.
For example, if you have surgery and do not start to notice adverse effects for 3 years, your time frame/statute of limitations will start at that 3rd year. From there, if you consult with a doctor after those three years and he/she says the surgeon did something wrong, you have two (2) years from that opinion to bring a malpractice claim.
Can I file a lawsuit without a lawyer?
The traditional statute of limitations/time frame to file a medical malpractice claim is two (2) years.
While it’s legally possible to file a lawsuit without a medical malpractice attorney, hiring an attorney is highly recommended due to the complexity of malpractice cases.
After a traumatic medical event, determining whether malpractice occurred can be challenging. Speaking with a lawyer promptly is crucial to preserve your case’s integrity. Proving hospital errors often involves tests and legal discovery—and starting early increases your chances of recovering full, fair compensation for your injuries.
How do I sue for medical malpractice?
Malpractice claims require proof that the provider breached their duty of care and caused harm within Arizona’s statute of limitations. Rasmussen Injury Law can guide you through this process—call us today at (480) 637-5757 for support!