If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of a health care provider (including a hospital, clinic, doctor, nurse, pharmacist, technician, therapist, chiropractor, podiatrist, dentist or other medical professional), you may be entitled to compensation. To discuss your rights, contact a San Diego medical malpractice lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.
Over 35 Years of Medical Malpractice Experience
At the Law Offices of Steven I. Kastner, we have a record of providing individuals throughout Southern California with the legal counsel needed to effectively resolve matters relating to:
- Doctor and hospital negligence: Hospitals are responsible for the negligent actions of their employees, which often include nurses, technicians, surgical assistants, pharmacy workers and other staff. Doctors are generally "independent contractors" — as opposed to direct employees of the hospital — and responsible for their own mistakes. Identifying the correct party or parties responsible for a patient's injuries is critical.
- Surgical errors as well as anesthesia and other medication error-related injuries: When the medical team performing surgery does not communicate properly or work well together, tragedy may ensue.
- Nursing home negligence: When nursing homes are not properly staffed, patients suffer from abuse and neglect. Problems may include delayed reporting of medical condition to doctors, delayed hospitalization, medication errors, bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, falls, and other injuries.
- Kaiser medical malpractice: Special rules and procedures apply to claims against Southern California's largest HMO, including a requirement that patients submit to arbitration rather than a court proceeding. In actions against a Kaiser hospital, clinic, doctor or other professional, it is essential to have an attorney experienced in handling such claims.
- Military and VA hospital malpractice: Although active duty servicemen and women are prohibited from filing malpractice claims against military hospitals and doctors, their dependants are not. Retired military personnel can also assert claims against military and VA hospitals.
- Birth injuries: When obstetrical problems are not treated in a timely manner, the baby can suffer lifelong injuries, including cerebral palsy, or die. Obstetrical emergencies can include fetal distress, compression of the umbilical cord during labor or delivery, prolapse of the cord, rupture of the uterus, placental separation, presentation problems (breech) and shoulder dystocia.
- ER injuries: Fast and accurate assessment, triage and treatment of emergency patients, especially during the "golden hour," is critical. Inadequate or untimely emergency care may involve misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of patients suffering from serious conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, appendicitis, bleeding, infections, brain and spinal cord injuries.
- Brain injuries: Any time the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted, a brain injury can result. Traumatic injury can be focal (stroke) or global (cerebral palsy) — and the impact on a patient's life can be lasting and catastrophic.
- Misdiagnosis: A proper and timely diagnosis is critical and can often mean the difference between life and death — especially when dealing with serious conditions such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, infections, meningitis or other diseases.
- Legal malpractice: Attorneys may also be held accountable where their negligence or carelessness results in a client losing valuable rights and suffering damages. An attorney's duty to his or her client requires the exercise of the utmost care and effort on the client's behalf. Anything less is unacceptable.
We can also assist you with filing a wrongful death claim if you have lost your family member due to medical malpractice.
Contact an Experienced Chula Vista, California, Misdiagnosis Law Firm
Few things are more frustrating than waiting for answers. We remain in frequent communication with our clients and always return phone calls within 24 hours. Learn more about medical malpractice and your rights by scheduling your free initial consultation with an experienced San Diego hospital negligence attorney. We can be reached online or by calling for a free consultation at 619-232-8822.
