Medical Malpractice

Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff and all Arizona communities

Malpractice is a very serious problem. When you seek medical attention, you have put your health and well-being completely into the hands of medical professionals. The unfortunate truth is that, like all humans, doctors are fallible, and even the most experienced and practiced physician or surgeon will make mistakes from time to time. When these errors compromise your health, you have become a victim of medical malpractice.

What Is Malpractice?

On TV and in movies, the term “malpractice” is typically applied to errors made in surgery. In reality, however, this is a much broader term. Malpractice applies to any negligent action on the part of a medical practitioner that causes injury or death. It may also apply to situations in which the health care provider causes injury or death by performing below industry-set standards. Actions that may be considered to be malpractice include the following:

• • Errors performed during surgery
  • Improperly performed anesthesia
  • Misdiagnosis of an illness
  • Medication prescription problems

While these are just a few examples of medical malpractice, any unnecessary procedure can also be considered as malpractice.

Malpractice in Arizona

Like many other states, Arizona sets the statute of limitations for malpractice claims at two years. Unlike some states, however, Arizona law regards the two years to commence at the time of the first appearance of injury. Also unlike some states, Arizona does not have a damages cap. This means that there is no law providing for a maximum figure for financial settlements.