If you or a family member has experienced what you believe might have been medical malpractice, you may be interested in filing a medical malpractice lawsuit to recover the resulting losses. However, you need to ensure that you do so within a certain amount of time or you may not be able to file at all.
The dedicated team of Alabama medical malpractice attorneys at Long & Long Attorneys at Law have helped countless numbers of clients seek damages after what they believed was medical malpractice. In the interest of keeping our community informed about their legal options in this state, we’ve provided the following information on what constitutes malpractice, how long you have to file a claim, and the exceptions to the statute of limitations when it comes to medical malpractice lawsuits.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is a term used to describe a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or technician, failing to provide adequate care to a patient and causing harm as a result. This can include a range of medical errors: misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, incorrect treatment, or lack of informed consent.
Medical malpractice can have serious consequences for the patient, including additional medical complications, prolonged suffering, and even death. It is important for healthcare providers to follow the accepted standards of care in order to prevent medical malpractice from occurring. Patients who believe they have been the victim of medical malpractice may be able to seek compensation through a legal claim, but they must be sure to do so before the deadline runs out. This deadline for filing a lawsuit is known as the statute of limitations.
What Is the Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations in Alabama?
In the state of Alabama, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits is two years. This means that a person who has been hurt by a medical error has two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries.
It is important to note that this time limit may be extended in certain specific situations. For example, if the injury caused by malpractice was not immediately apparent and could not have been discovered within the two-year period, the lawsuit must be filed within six months of discovery.
Despite this particular exception being available, no medical malpractice lawsuits may be filed after four years from the date of injury. Every situation is different, though, so it is always best to consult with a lawyer to determine the specific time limit in your case.
Don’t Miss Your Chance!
If you’ve chosen to pursue a lawsuit for your medical malpractice injury in Mobile, Orange Beach, or anywhere else in Alabama, Long & Long Attorneys at Law can help you determine whether you’re within the statute of limitations and if you have grounds for a case.
We understand the complicated laws surrounding these cases and can help get you compensation if the medical worker responsible for your suffering is found to be guilty. We strongly encourage you to take action immediately if you believe your care was not up to the proper standard and has caused you injury, discomfort, paralysis, or any other ailment. If you wait too long, you may miss out on the chance to pursue compensation altogether.
To schedule your absolutely free case consultation, please contact Long & Long Attorneys at Law today by calling (251) 265-8984.
