When you’re under the care of a doctor and other medical professionals, the last thing you expect is to become injured. However, it can happen. Anything from surgery to preventative care to the birth of the newest member of your family can leave you or a loved one permanently disabled, injured, paralyzed, or dead.
When you’ve suffered from any type of injury due to medical malpractice, you deserve to have your expenses compensated by the responsible party. This can mean filing a personal injury claim against your healthcare provider. In the United States, this type of claim is alarmingly common – in 2012, $3.6 billion in payouts were awarded to medical malpractice victims. These payouts came through 12,142 settlements.
If you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, contact one of the experienced personal injury attorneys at our firm to help build a strong case. Don’t let your healthcare provider’s mistake bankrupt you; let our firm help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Can Monetary Compensation Cover?
The monetary compensation you receive following a personal injury claim can cover all the expenses you incur due to your injury. These expenses can include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages due to time out of work
- Accommodations for any disabilities or reduced mobility caused by the injury. This can include the installation of a wheelchair ramp at the victim’s home or a specially-modified vehicle for his or her use
- Pain and suffering. This covers all the unquantifiable hardships the victim faces, such as bruising, scarring, depression following an injury, and the changes he or she must make to his or her lifestyle to accommodate the injury
As a victim of medical malpractice in South Carolina, you may receive up to $350,000 in non-economic damages from a single healthcare provider. Non-economic damages are anything other than medical bills, lost wages and other monetary losses that can be calculated through pay stubs and bills. If more than one provider is found to be responsible for a victim’s injury, the victim may receive up to $1.05 million in payouts.
Economic damages are not capped in South Carolina.
South Carolina’s Medical Malpractice Laws
Section 15-79-110 of the South Carolina Code of Laws outlines the definition of medical malpractice in South Carolina and the rules for filing a personal injury lawsuit for victims who’ve suffered from this type of negligence.
SC Code 15-3-530 states the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in South Carolina is three years following the injury. This means that any individual who has been injured because of medical malpractice has three years to file his or her claim. Once three years pass, the victim no longer has grounds for a personal injury claim.
Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
Medical malpractice is a serious issue that can affect anybody. If you’ve suffered from an injury or complication due to negligence on the part of a healthcare professional, contact the McGrath Law Firm at 843-606-2755 today. We’re here to advocate for you and help you receive the money you deserve.