Shreveport
Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Are You Living With the Effects of a Medical Error?

When we seek medical care, we place our trust – and our lives – in the hands of healthcare professionals. We rely on their training, skill, and judgment to diagnose and treat us correctly. But what happens when that trust is betrayed? What recourse do you have when a doctor, nurse, or hospital makes a mistake that causes serious harm?

At the Law Office of Heather C. Ford, we’ve seen how errors in diagnosis, treatment, or aftercare can lead to life-altering injuries, illnesses, and even wrongful death. We know the pain of realizing that your suffering could have been prevented if your healthcare provider had followed the standard of care.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical negligence in Shreveport or throughout Louisiana, you need a strong legal advocate on your side. Our Shreveport medical malpractice attorneys hold negligent healthcare providers accountable and secure the compensation you deserve. We’ll be your voice for justice in the face of a complex and often intimidating legal system.

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide treatment that meets the accepted standard of care and a patient is harmed as a result.

The standard of care is defined as what a reasonably prudent healthcare provider would or would not have done under the same or similar circumstances.

Some common examples of medical malpractice include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• Surgical errors
• Anesthesia errors
• Medication errors
• Birth injuries
• Failure to obtain informed consent
• Failure to properly monitor a patient
• Premature discharge from care

Medical malpractice can occur in any healthcare setting, including hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, and pharmacies. It can involve any type of healthcare provider, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and technicians.

Proving Medical Malpractice in Louisiana

To win a medical malpractice case in Louisiana, you must prove four key elements:

1. Duty: The healthcare provider owed you a duty of care. This is established by showing that a provider-patient relationship existed.
2. Breach: The provider breached their duty by failing to adhere to the standard of care. This requires showing what the provider did or did not do and how it deviated from what a reasonably competent provider would have done.
3. Causation: The provider’s breach of duty directly caused your injury. You must show that your harm would not have occurred but for the provider’s negligence.
4. Damages: You suffered actual, compensable harm as a result, such as additional medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or disability.

Proving these elements requires extensive investigation, thorough knowledge of Louisiana medical malpractice law, and compelling evidence and arguments. That’s where having a skilled Shreveport medical malpractice lawyer can make all the difference.

At the Law Office of Heather C. Ford, we have the resources and experience to build strong cases, including:

• Obtaining and analyzing medical records
• Consulting with respected medical experts to establish the standard of care and how it was breached
• Interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence of negligence
• Calculating the full extent of your economic and non-economic damages
• Dealing with insurance companies and hospital legal teams
• Presenting compelling cases in negotiation and at trial

We know how to work the medical malpractice system in Louisiana and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Damages Available in a Shreveport Medical Malpractice Claim

If you’ve been harmed by medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including:

• Additional medical expenses to treat the harm caused by the malpractice
• Lost wages if your injury prevents you from working
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In cases of wrongful death due to medical malpractice, the surviving family members may also recover damages such as:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of the deceased’s income and benefits
• Loss of the deceased’s love, companionship, and guidance
• The family members’ mental anguish

Calculating damages in a medical malpractice case can be complex, as it involves projecting costs and losses far into the future. Our attorneys work with respected economic and medical experts to fully assess the impact of the malpractice on your life and pursue the maximum compensation possible.

Time Limits for Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim in Louisiana

Louisiana law sets strict deadlines for filing medical malpractice claims. In most cases, you have only one year from the date of the malpractice or discovery of the injury to file a claim (LA R.S. 9:5628).

However, before you can file a lawsuit, you must first submit your claim to a medical review panel for evaluation (LA R.S. 40:1231.8). This panel is composed of three healthcare providers and one attorney who review evidence and expert testimony to decide if the standard of care was breached.

The medical review process can be lengthy, and it extends the time limit for filing a lawsuit to 90 days after the panel’s opinion is rendered.
Given these complex rules and tight deadlines, it’s crucial to speak with a Shreveport medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible if you suspect malpractice. We can ensure your claim is properly filed and your rights are protected.

Get Help from a Skilled Shreveport Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you or a family member has suffered harm due to medical malpractice, you deserve answers, accountability, and compensation. But the legal system can be daunting, especially when you’re dealing with the pain and turmoil of an injury or loss.

At the Law Office of Heather C. Ford, we’re here to be your advocates and allies. We have the knowledge, experience, and dedication to take on complex medical malpractice cases and fight for the justice you deserve.

When you choose our firm, you can expect:

• A free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case
• Thorough investigation and strong case building
• Aggressive advocacy in negotiation and at trial
• Compassionate, responsive client service
• No fee unless we recover for you

Don’t let a healthcare provider’s negligence rob you of your health, your livelihood, or your loved one. Contact the Law Office of Heather C. Ford today to schedule your free consultation with a Shreveport medical malpractice lawyer who will fight for you.

Frequently Asked Questions After an Auto Accident Injury

If you’ve been hurt in a car crash, you likely have many questions. Here are some of the most common concerns our clients have: