WVA Medical Malpractice

One Death from Medical Malpractice is One Death too Many

Compassionate West Virginia medical malpractice attorneys fight for justice for injured patients

Over 50 million medical procedures are performed on patients yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Over 125 million outpatient procedures are performed each year. These numbers just reflect medical procedures. Many patients also see their local doctors for medical advice, to get prescriptions renewed, and for other reasons. While many of these procedures go well, there are all too many medical procedures that cause unreasonable medical harm to patients.

When patients are hurt by medical malpractice, or families lose a loved one due to medical error, the West Virginia law firm of Paulson & Nace, PLLC, a family-owned and operated practice, helps these people get justice. Our West Virginia medical malpractice lawyers primarily represent clients in medical malpractice cases. Because of this focus, our attorneys have been able to obtain million dollar judgments before juries. Most trials are decided by a jury and not a judge.

In additional to highly successful litigation results, our lawyers have received many local awards for their service and dedication to injured patients.

Types of medical malpractice cases Paulson & Nace handles

Medical errors can occur in many stages of medical representation. Errors can happen because of a failed diagnosis or improper treatment. Medical malpractice can occur because of unqualified doctors, failures in communication, or because a doctor did not fully inform their patient of known risks. Here are some of the types of cases Paulson & Nace tries:

  • Failure to properly diagnose or misdiagnosis of diseases or medical disorders. Any delay or failure to properly diagnose cancer, heart disease, diabetes, bacterial infections, or bowel leaks can be fatal. There are many medical tests than can be done to determine these medical problems. We hold doctors and staff accountable for failing to give the right tests, failing to correctly read the results of tests and other diagnosis errors.
  • Errors during surgery. Surgical errors can happen because of a failure in communication, failure to recognize a problem, anesthesia errors, failure to treat infections, and other reasons. Errors that should have been anticipated or recognized are not the norm. Our lawyers sue for surgical errors.
  • Medication errors. Doctors can fail to prescribe the correct drug, can prescribe the wrong dosage of the medication, or fail to give the patient proper instructions on how to use the drug, or overprescribe drugs. Doctors can fail to monitor the patient's reaction to a drug or note how the drug interacts with other drugs the patient takes. Allergic reactions can cause harm. Paulson & Nace represents clients harmed by medication errors.
  • Anesthesia errors. Administering anesthesia can be a delicate balance. Too much anesthesia or too little can cause a patient harm. The right drugs need to be delivered. Anesthesia errors can cause a patient to fall into a coma or cause life-long harm. Our attorneys know this area of medical malpractice.
  • Errors in the emergency room. Patients who go to emergency rooms seek help for all sorts of medical problems. Still, this is no excuse for medical errors. Hospitals need to make sure their emergency room is properly staffed and trained. ER doctors should not treat patients when they are tired. Paulson & Nace represents patients and families harmed through improper emergency room treatment.
  • Inebriated doctors. The stress of medical practice can wear a doctor down. It is the responsibility of the doctor and the hospital to know when this stress is causing the doctor to takes drugs or abuse alcohol. There is simply no excuse for an inebriated doctor or a doctor under the influence of narcotics ever treating a patient in West Virginia.
  • Birth injuries. Pediatricians and other medical staff should know the common problems that can occur to either a child or a mother during the labor or post-partum. Negligence can include failing to check the vital signs of the child and mother, failing to anticipate breathing or respiratory problems, failing to anticipate brachial plexus injuries or preeclampsia, improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, and many other medical errors.
  • Dangerous drugs and defective medical devices. Sometimes the drugs and devices a doctor prescribes to a patient may be faulty. Both drugs and medical devices should be fully tested for safety before a patient is allowed to use them. The Paulson & Nace legal team takes on these drug liability and product liability cases. Pacemakers, prosthetics, and other medical devices should work properly. We know how to hold doctors, pharmacists, and manufacturers accountable for making or prescribing dangerous medications and equipment.
  • Providing treatment that was refused. Patients in West Virginia do have the right to refuse certain treatments, including some treatments that may save their lives. Doctors must follow medical directives ordered by the patient. Doctors may need to get consent from an approved guardian for patients who cannot give consent.

Informed Consent Doctrine

Patients in West Virginia have the right to know about the medical procedures a doctor recommends and the medications the physician suggests. Doctors have a duty to inform the patient of the known risks and how the procedures and drugs are supposed to help the patient. Before the doctor performs any procedures, the doctor needs to get the consent from the patient or from a guardian for patients who lack capacity. Doctors who perform procedures without the informed consent of the patient can be sued for medical malpractice for violating this basic law.

The West Virginia medical malpractice lawyers at Paulson & Nace work to provide each client the best result possible. We explain the stages of medical malpractice litigation and prepare each case according to the local West Virginia medical and legal standards. For 40 years, our lawyers have helped West Virginia patients and families obtain million dollar verdicts and settlements in this highly complex legal area.

Medical malpractice justice for West Virginia patients and their families

Our family of West Virginia medical malpractice attorneys at Paulson & Nace, PLLC understand how medical negligence and errors can affect your family for a lifetime. We offer the personal and professional attention you deserve in your time of need.  We are widely recognized throughout West Virginia, both for our compassionate care and comprehensive legal services to families and our aggressive advocacy for medical malpractice victims. When you choose us to represent you, you are choosing a team that values family. Please call 304-741-8079 or fill out our contact form to discuss any medical malpractice case. Our office is located at 3501 Maccorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304.

We have dedicated our lives to medical malpractice victims. Let our family help yours.

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