Medical malpractice claims can be incredibly complex. However, if you suffered harm at the hands of a healthcare professional in Arizona, you may be entitled to pursue legal action against the wrongful party.
Suing for Medical Malpractice in Arizona
In Arizona, any licensed healthcare provider can be sued for medical malpractice. This includes the following professionals:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Physical therapists
- Hospitals
- Blood banks
- Blood centers
- Dentists
- Pharmacy technician
- Physician assistants
- Dental hygienists
- Pharmacists
However, to be able to sue these professionals, the following elements need to be established:
- The medical professional or healthcare provider failed to follow the accepted standards of care of the medical industry and
- The failure was the proximate cause of the injury.
It should also be noted that in Arizona medical malpractice cases, the primary focus of the lawsuit is determining what actions a medical care provider should have taken under the given circumstances. The standard by which the medical care worker is evaluated is known as the “medical standard of care.”
The Time Limitations To Bring a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Arizona
In Arizona, patients only have two years to file a medical malpractice lawsuit after
the cause of action accrues. This time period is known as the statute of limitations, and it is a law that sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit in court. If individuals do not file within this period, the court can stop them from going after the money they are entitled to.
However, the courts in the state have consistently applied the “discovery rule” in most medical malpractice cases. According to this rule, the statute of limitations does not start until the patient either knows or should have known that their injuries were caused due to medical negligence.
In addition, the two-year deadline for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit will be paused under certain circumstances, including the following:
- When the patient is under the age of 18
- When the patient does not have the mental capacity to pursue a lawsuit and
- The at-fault party is outside of the state
To better understand these timelines and what they can mean for you, consider reaching out to an experienced Arizona medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. These legal professionals can review the applicable laws and determine how much time you have to file your legal case.
Contact Territorial Law, LLC, To Go Over Your Arizona Medical Malpractice Case
If you suffered injuries because of the actions of an Arizona healthcare provider, you may be able to sue for medical malpractice. However, to go after the compensation you deserve, consider going over your case with a skilled Arizona medical malpractice attorney.
Once retained, these legal professionals can:
- Determine the viability of your claim and figure out what legal options you have.
- Thoroughly investigate the incident and gather the evidence needed to show what caused your harm and who was responsible.
- Take on the insurance companies and fight for a fair settlement.
- Work with experts to validate your legal claim.
- Proceed to trial, if necessary, and go after maximum financial compensation.
For further information about your legal options after a medical malpractice incident, contact the legal team at Territorial Law, LLC today to review your case for free.