Medical malpractice is the result of a healthcare provider's failure to provide the expected standard of care. Unfortunately, some doctors cause harm through their mistakes, ignorance, negligence, lack of skill and misdiagnosis. Rich Flexner of The Law Offices of Richard Flexner, P.A. is a North Carolina trial attorney with more than 25 years of experience, and is serious about helping negligence and accident victims.

We serve the residents of Wilmington, New Hanover County, Wrightsville Beach, Oak Island, Brunswick County, Kure Beach, Pender County, Carolina Beach, Columbus County, Burgaw, Southport, Bladen County, Elizabethtown, Bolivia, Whiteville, and throughout North Carolina. We work hard for the people we represent. Every client matters to us, and our goal is to get you the maximum possible settlement or award for your injuries. 

Despite bringing health and hope to millions of U.S. citizens every day, far too many Americans are injured or killed due to medical mistakes. In November 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report estimating that as many as 98,000 patients die each year as a result of medical errors in hospitals. Compound this number with the unreported mistakes made in other healthcare settings (physicians' offices, urgent care centers, nursing homes, pharmacies and home care) and the magnitude of medical malpractice becomes staggering. In addition to the high costs of medical mistakes in terms of lives and quality of life, our nation pays an estimated $17 billion per year in costs due to preventable errors. 

In the state of North Carolina, any medical malpractice lawsuit must be brought within three years from the time of injury, or within one year of the date when the injury was or should have been discovered. However, foreign object cases must be brought within one year from the date upon which the foreign object is discovered, but no longer than 10 years from the date of the occurrence. 

Legally, healthcare professionals are only required to give a standard of care that is ordinary or normal. When a physician is determined to be negligent, it means that he or she has failed to use the same degree of skill and learning, under the same or similar circumstances, that are used by other members of the medical profession. Some of the most common ways that medical malpractice occurs is through failure or errors in timely diagnosis and ordering appropriate treatment, ordering necessary tests and proper medication, consulting with specialists, and surgical procedures. Although there are numerous types of malpractice claims, here are some of the most common:

• Wrongful death
• Birth defects or injuries
• Hospital, physician, and nursing negligenc
• Misdiagnosis
• Nursing home injuries and elder abuse
• Pharmaceutical errors

 If we are able to prove your medical malpractice case and the medical provider is found negligent, then you are entitled to recover "damages." Damages are intended to help you return to the condition you were in prior to the injury. There are several forms of damages that you may recover in a medical malpractice award - economic (for lost wages or medical expenses), non-economic (for pain and suffering), or punitive (to punish reckless behavior) damages. You may also receive compensation for future medical expenses and loss of future earnings. Punitive damages occur only in rare cases when it is proved that the medical practitioner had malicious intent. 

Medical malpractice claims are one of the most difficult areas of litigation, since the negligent action must be documented and proven within specific guidelines. The Law Offices of Richard Flexner has the experience and resources to thoroughly investigate and validate your case. We take the time to listen to our clients and respond to their needs, because a serious injury affects both the injured person and their entire family. 

If you feel that you or a loved one has suffered due to medical malpractice, call The Law Offices of Richard Flexner, PA, at 1-800-FLEXNER or 910-794-3221. You may also contact us through our  online form.

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