Statutes Of Limitations In Washington State Medical Malpractice Claims
Medical malpractice involves negligence on the part of doctors, nurses, surgeons, diagnostic technicians, hospital administrators, and others involved in your case. Mistakes and errors on their part are among the most common causes of injury and death throughout the United States.
If it happens to you or someone you love, know that you have the right to hold negligent medical providers accountable. However, you only have a limited amount of time to get the compensation you are entitled to. Our Issaquah medical malpractice attorney explains the statutes of limitations in these cases and how they impact your rights in filing a claim.
Medical Malpractice Claims In Washington State
Negligence is a common term used in injury claims. It means someone either engaged in reckless or dangerous behavior that put you at risk or failed to take reasonable precautions. When serious injuries or death occurs as a result, victims and their families have the right to hold those at fault accountable in a claim.
Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of preventable death in Washington State is medical malpractice. According to the Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner (OIC) close to 4,000 medical malpractice claims are filed each year. Among the most commonly cited causes include:
- Misdiagnosing medical conditions;
- Misreading test results;
- Surgical errors;
- Medication errors;
- Healthcare-associated infections;
- Administrative and medical record errors.
Time Limits For Filing A Washington State Medical Malpractice Claim
Insurance policies that medical providers have in place are specifically designed to offset the high cost of medical malpractice claims. Unfortunately, getting the total compensation you are entitled to and need to recover from what happened is never easy. The EIC reports that insurers spend more than 20 percent of their earnings defending claims, which amounts to millions of dollars each year. As a result, more than half of all claims end up being denied.
Statutes of limitations (SOL) is the amount of time you have to seek compensation for a claim. Under the Washington State Code, you have up to three years from when it happened, or from the date you first discovered the provider’s negligence. While this may seem long, it allows time for our Washington State medical malpractice attorney to take the legal actions needed. This includes:
- Conducting a thorough investigation to determine what happened and who is liable;
- Gathering evidence, such as medical records and testimony from others involved;
- Determining the total amount you will need to cover both current and future medical bills, lost wages, and other costs;
- Negotiating with insurance claims adjusters to get the best possible settlement;
- Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Washington State to get the maximum amount you and your family are entitled to.
Request A Consultation With Our Issaquah Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
Insurers routinely deny medical malpractice claims in Washington State. To get the total amount of compensation you are entitled to, contact Injury Law Group NW. Request a consultation with our experienced Issaquah medical malpractice attorney today.
Sources:
app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=4.16.350
insurance.wa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2022-medical-malpractice-annual-report.pdf
