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Medical Malpractice

At Ridge & Downes, we know that almost nothing is worse than being sick or injured. What is worse is when the medical professional that you trust to make you better acts in a way that makes your illness or injury worse.

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Medical malpractice happens. It takes a knowledgeable, dedicated professional to gather the facts and prove that the actions of a medical professional (whether it be a doctor, nurse, or hospital) have caused your injury or made that injury worse by deviating from the appropriate standard of care.

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When you have questions regarding the suitability of medical treatment that you or a loved one received please call Ridge & Downes with your inquiries.

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Frequently, our firm is asked to evaluate cases for medical malpractice.  Medical malpractice is a broad area of the law that involves a person being injured by the negligent acts or omissions of a health care provider.  A health care provider is a physician, dentist, nurse, therapist, or facility (i.e., clinic or hospital) that treats patients. 

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In order to prove a medical malpractice case, you have to prove that the health care provider deviated from the standard of care normally applied by a similar health care provider.  In other words, if your obstetrician chooses to delay delivery of your baby and as a result the baby suffers from a debilitating, lifelong injury, then the standard of care is based upon what other obstetricians would have done under similar circumstances.  Moreover, you must prove that as a result of this deviation from the standard of care, you or your loved one suffered some damages. 

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To file a medical malpractice claim, the complaint or initial filing with the Court must have an affidavit from an expert witness.  This affidavit must (1) be made by someone that has practiced or taught in that same medical field within the last five years, (2) an expert who meets certain statutory standards, and (3) contain a written report stating that, after review of the medical records and other evidence, there is a reasonable and meritorious cause of action.

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Fortunately, under Illinois law there are no caps on economic damages. Caps on non-economic damages were held to be unconstitutional by the Illinois Supreme Court; however, injured parties are not allowed to seek punitive damages under a medical malpractice cause of action in Illinois. 

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We often see and hear about potential medical malpractice cases.  Whether it’s a negligent act like leaving a sponge or instrument in a patient during surgery, putting the wrong kind of implant in a patient, or operating on the wrong body part, to a negligent omission like failing to order a diagnostic test or waiting too long to operate and/or see a patient, we have the knowledge and experience to evaluate your potential medical malpractice claim.  Please, give us a call so that we can assist you.

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There is No Fee Until You Receive Compensation

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If you're ready to protect yourself and your loved ones, call us today for a free, confidential consultation.

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Call us at 312.372.8282 or fill out our Contact Form.

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