Medical Malpractice Resulting in Death

Boston Lawyers Handling Malpractice-Related Wrongful Death Cases

As patients, we rely on our doctors to uphold the highest standards of care when they treat us. We trust our doctors, nurses, and medical staff members to make us better, and most of us never expect that an error could be made by the people that we turn to for healing. The attorneys of Crowe & Harris, LLP know that these mistakes happen more often than you would like to think, and the effects on the patient can be devastating and may even result in death. We are ready to help you if you have lost a loved one due to a medical error that claimed their life. You do not have to merely accept this terrible outcome without securing some justice on behalf of your loved one.

Well-respected studies show that as many as 100,000 Americans die each year as a result of medical errors, making malpractice one of the leading causes of death in our country. When a patient dies unexpectedly, family members understandably have many questions about what happened and whether the death was avoidable. Our Boston medical malpractice wrongful death lawyers are trained to identify preventable deaths occurring as a result of substandard medical care and to help answer these questions.

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one as a result of a medical error, you may be able to hold the medical providers accountable for the consequences. Our Boston lawyers represent families throughout New England, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Contact the Boston medical malpractice wrongful death attorneys Crowe & Harris, LLP at (617) 404-3417 today for a free consultation about your case.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

The death of a loved one is an immensely tragic time in the lives of the surviving family members. Along with the overwhelming grief that comes with such a devastating loss, the person’s spouse or children may also be forced to deal with difficult financial questions, like how to pay for funeral expenses and how they will be able to support themselves without their loved one in their life.

It’s times like these that a capable, compassionate attorney can make a huge difference in your life. You do not have to suffer additional pain due to a tragic accident, nor should you allow those responsible for your loss to potentially make the same fatal mistake again. By taking legal action against the medical facility or doctor responsible for the loss of your loved one, you may be able to secure the compensation you deserve to help you grieve and try to rebuild a new life while preserving the memory of your loved one, and you may be able to prevent anyone else from suffering the same loss that you endured.

Why Choose Crowe & Harris, LLP ?

Wrongful death claims against doctors or hospitals can be complicated claims, requiring convincing evidence to show that the doctor or medical staff behaved in a negligent manner that was not consistent with the standards of their colleagues and peers. You need a legal team that understands what these cases require, and has medical experts on staff who can properly evaluate your claim and help build a rock-solid case on your behalf.

Your case is too important to trust to just any lawyer who believes they can handle it for you. You need a team that has the right staff, resources, and experience to actually prevail on your behalf. That’s why Crowe & Harris, LLP has been a top choice for so many others in Massachusetts for so many people who have lost relatives due to the negligent actions of doctors. Take a look at our testimonials and our record of settlements and verdicts, and you’ll see why we are the trusted law firm to handle these very sensitive and important claims.

Causes of Wrongful Death

A patient’s death can occur as the result of many different types of mistakes on the part of medical professionals. The following are some of the most common causes of wrongful death:

• Failure to diagnose – Failure to diagnose a condition could have a devastating effect on the patient and may lead to death
• Missed diagnosis – An incorrect diagnosis may miss serious conditions (like cancer) that may worsen and become fatal
• Delayed diagnosis – Patients with potentially life-threatening injuries or illness should be evaluated promptly for immediate treatment
• Lost or delayed test results – A missing or delayed test result could prolong the proper treatment that a patient may need to survive
• Prescription medication errors – Prescription medications, if incorrectly dosed or prescribed can prove fatal to the patient
• Surgical and anesthesia errors – Surgeons and anesthesiologists must protect their patients from errors and additional harm, and mistakes may prove fatal
• Failure to provide appropriate post-surgical care – Receiving the proper care after surgery is vital to a patient’s ability to recover and heal, and failure to do so may lead to serious complications and possibly death

If you have lost someone you love due to any of the above causes or any other negligent act on the part of a doctor or medical staff member, you do not have to endure the grief and loss without receiving some measure of justice. 

Contact the compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys of Crowe & Harris, LLP at (617) 404-3417 to speak with a member of our team today.

Frequently Asked Questions

The medical negligence lawyers of Crowe & Harris, LLP understand that the loss of a loved one is unspeakably painful and difficult to deal with. It is even more tragic and tough to cope with if their death occurred at the hands of the medical professionals that you expected to help make them better. We are here for you in your time of need, and we are always available to answer any questions you may have about the legal process and your rights. We have provided the answers to some frequently asked questions below, and we are standing by to talk to you if you need our assistance at (617) 404-3417.

If my loved one underwent a “high-risk” procedure and did not survive, can I still file a claim?

Certain medical procedures often inherently carry a higher amount of risk for the patient. Procedures like cardiovascular surgery or neurosurgery can potentially lead to serious and possibly fatal outcomes, even when negligence is not present. This does not automatically mean that you do not have grounds to file a claim if your loved one as a result of a high-risk procedure, however. If negligence on the part of the surgeon or medical professional directly caused your loved one’s death, you likely still have the right to file a claim.

What are common fatal surgical errors?

Surgical errors are some of the most common wrongful death claims filed against medical professionals. Unfortunately, these errors happen more than they should, and patients often die as a result of these mistakes. Common surgical errors include:

• Damaging nerves
• Anesthesia complications or failures
• Punctured organs
• Objects left in the body from surgery
• Infections

If a surgeon makes a mistake and your loved one dies as a result, the surgeon should be held accountable for their actions, and you should be able to secure compensation for your loss and your expenses.

How can a lawyer help me?

Your attorney can help investigate the cause of your loved one’s death and may be able to determine if negligence was present. With medical professionals on staff, a competent legal team can piece together the facts of the case and will build a convincing argument as to why the doctor or staff’s actions directly contributed to the death of your loved one. Also, it may be necessary to prove that the patient would likely have survived if the mistake had not been made or if proper care had been administered. With an experienced legal team on your side, you may be able to recover the compensation that you and your family are due.

Contact Crowe & Harris, LLP

If you or someone you know has suffered the loss of a relative because of a medical provider’s mistakes, we may be able to help you find the answers and the justice you are seeking. While legal action can never bring back your loved one or repair the feelings of loss and pain that you will inevitably feel, it can help you ensure that others will not suffer the same fate. Legal action may also go a long way toward ensuring that your financial future and the future of your children are not adversely affected by the negligent actions of a medical provider.

Contact a Boston medical mistake wrongful death attorney at Crowe & Harris, LLP at (617) 404-3417 today for a free consultation with an experienced member of our medical-legal team.