New Orleans Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Visiting a doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider would normally raise one’s hopes of receiving the treatment necessary to heal them. Regrettably, that is not the case at times. The consequences of these errors can leave patients with grave and even life-changing results when such mistakes do occur.

If you or a family member have suffered as a result of medical negligence in Louisiana, a New Orleans medical malpractice attorney at the Law Office of Heather C. Ford can guide you through the process of exploring your rights and claiming the damages you are owed.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.

Understanding Medical Malpractice in Louisiana

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in injury or harm to a patient. This negligence can take many forms, including:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis – When a doctor fails to recognize symptoms or incorrectly diagnoses an illness, leading to worsened conditions.
• Surgical errors – Mistakes during surgery, such as operating on the wrong site, leaving instruments inside a patient, or unnecessary procedures.
• Medication errors – Administering the wrong medication or dosage, causing adverse effects.
• Birth injuries – Preventable injuries to a newborn or mother due to medical negligence during labor and delivery.
• Failure to obtain informed consent – Not properly informing patients of risks associated with procedures or treatments.

In Louisiana, medical malpractice claims must be backed by expert testimony to prove that a provider failed to meet the expected standard of care and that this failure directly led to the injury.

How a New Orleans Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help

Dealing with a medical malpractice case can feel overwhelming—you’re already coping with an injury or the loss of a loved one, and now you must navigate a complicated legal process. A skilled New Orleans medical malpractice attorney can take that burden off your shoulders, handling the legal complexities while you focus on healing.

Here’s how a medical malpractice lawyer can help:

• Investigating Your Claim – Your attorney will thoroughly review your case, gathering medical records, speaking with expert witnesses, and analyzing whether a healthcare provider’s negligence caused your injuries.
• Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit – Louisiana has strict deadlines for filing malpractice claims, and even small errors in documentation can hurt your case. A lawyer ensures all paperwork is properly prepared and submitted within the statute of limitations.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies – Hospitals and their insurance providers often try to minimize payouts or deny responsibility altogether. Your lawyer will advocate for fair compensation, using evidence and legal arguments to push back against unfair settlement offers.
• Taking Your Case to Trial If Necessary – If negotiations don’t result in a just settlement, your attorney will be ready to fight for you in court, presenting a compelling case before a judge or jury.

Having a knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer in New Orleans by your side ensures that your case is handled with the expertise and dedication it deserves.

Proving Medical Negligence in a Malpractice Case

Winning a medical malpractice claim in Louisiana requires proving that a healthcare provider’s actions (or inaction) directly led to a patient’s harm. This involves establishing four key elements:

1. A Doctor-Patient Relationship Existed – You must show that the medical provider was responsible for your care and, therefore, owed you a legal duty of care.
2. Medical Negligence Occurred – This means the provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care, making errors that a competent medical professional would not have made under similar circumstances.
3. The Negligence Caused an Injury – It’s not enough to show that a doctor made a mistake—you must prove that this mistake directly resulted in harm (worsened condition, unnecessary complications, or even death).
4. You Suffered Damages – Finally, you must demonstrate actual losses from the malpractice, such as additional medical expenses, lost income, emotional suffering, or a decline in quality of life.

Because medical malpractice cases often involve highly technical medical issues, expert witnesses are frequently used to explain the standard of care and how it was violated.

Compensation in a Medical Malpractice Case

Victims of medical negligence in New Orleans may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical Expenses – This includes past and future costs for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any necessary ongoing treatment.
• Lost Wages & Reduced Earning Capacity – If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be compensated for lost income and diminished ability to earn in the future.
• Pain & Suffering – This covers physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact the malpractice has had on your daily life.
• Wrongful Death Damages – If a loved one lost their life due to medical negligence, surviving family members can seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and financial support.

However, Louisiana has a cap of $500,000 on medical malpractice damages, meaning that compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other non-medical damages cannot exceed this amount. Future medical expenses, however, are paid separately and are not subject to this cap.

A New Orleans medical malpractice lawyer can help maximize the compensation you receive and ensure that all aspects of your suffering—both financial and emotional—are accounted for in your claim.