Medical Malpractice
Our firm handles medical malpractice claims for clients throughout Louisiana.
Medical malpractice occurs when a health care provider, be it doctor, nurse or hospital employee, fails to exercise the degree of care and skill that a health care provider is expected to exercise under similar circumstances. A case of medical malpractice can involve the mistreatment of a patient through carelessness, neglect, or lack of knowledge or skill. These actions can be brought as a result of an injury to or death of a patient.
In 1976, the Louisiana legislature enacted what is commonly called the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act. In fact, this act consists of numerous statutes. In general, the Act provides certain protections to health care providers, and almost all of them are to the detriment of patients. For example, before a lawsuit can be instituted against a health care provider who is “qualified” under the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act, the claim must first be presented to a medical review panel. Another benefit to physicians is a limit on the amount of damages that can be recovered in a medical malpractice claim — a “cap” of $500,000 plus medical expenses.
Medical malpractice occurs when a health care provider, be it doctor, nurse or hospital employee, fails to exercise the degree of care and skill that a health care provider is expected to exercise under similar circumstances. A case of medical malpractice can involve the mistreatment of a patient through carelessness, neglect, or lack of knowledge or skill. These actions can be brought as a result of an injury to or death of a patient.
In 1976, the Louisiana legislature enacted what is commonly called the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act. In fact, this act consists of numerous statutes. In general, the Act provides certain protections to health care providers, and almost all of them are to the detriment of patients. For example, before a lawsuit can be instituted against a health care provider who is “qualified” under the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act, the claim must first be presented to a medical review panel. Another benefit to physicians is a limit on the amount of damages that can be recovered in a medical malpractice claim — a “cap” of $500,000 plus medical expenses.