When you need a Columbia medical malpractice lawyer, Rikard & Protopapas can represent you. We handle medical malpractice claims to seek financial compensation and hold care providers accountable when negligence occurs.
At Rikard & Protopapas, we are leaders in medical malpractice representation. Our Columbia injury lawyers want you to get fair compensation for your losses and damages. Start with a consultation today.
Attorneys for Medical Malpractice in Columbia, SC
Too often, people don’t receive the care that they deserve and expect from medical providers. You and your family have the right to expect competent medical care – it’s a legal standard. When things go wrong, it’s your right to question the decisions and the care provided.
Medical malpractice may be an affirmative act, including mistakes and doing something that shouldn’t have been done. It can also be an omission, like failing to run a test or make a timely diagnosis. Medical malpractice is bad healthcare. It doesn’t meet the legal standards for skill, adequacy, and timeliness.
We are skilled lawyers for medical malpractice in Columbia, SC. Medical malpractice is about your compensation. The Rikard & Protopapas team can represent you in your claim. Call, message, or come to our offices to start your case.
Leaders in Medical Malpractice Litigation in the Columbia Area
We are leaders in medical malpractice litigation in the Columbia, SC region. We have a 20-year history advocating on behalf of Columbia victims and their families. In fact, nurses in hospitals have referred people to Rikard & Protopapas. Through the years, we have earned a reputation for litigating the technical aspects of medical malpractice successfully on behalf of our community.
Cases We Handle
Some of our medical malpractice specialties include:
Surgical injuries to the iliac vein
The iliac vein is a major blood vessel located in the pelvic area. Surgical errors and negligence may result in injuries to the iliac vein. Complications may arise like blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or compromised blood flow to the lower extremities. Injuries that occur during surgery may not be identified and addressed, leading to drastic consequences. In the cases we have pursued, death could have been prevented.
Cerebral palsy (CP) from birth injuries
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects muscle control and movement. It is typically caused by brain damage during or around the time of birth. Oxygen deprivation, trauma during delivery, or failure to respond to fetal distress can be potential causes. Extensive investigations are often required to establish causation. Nurses and doctors may be responsible for failing to see the warning signs where the health of the baby could be saved, and harm minimized.
Eclampsia misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose
Eclampsia is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur during pregnancy. Failure to diagnose it can harm the mother and baby. Medical care providers may overlook warning signs, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
Preeclampsia misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose
Preeclampsia involves high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys. Like eclampsia, misdiagnosis, or failure to diagnose preeclampsia can cause serious complications. Often, after birth, medical personnel are dismissive of warning signs. Left untreated, preeclampsia is a medical emergency and could lead to maternal death.
Infectious disease misdiagnosis
When medical professionals fail to accurately diagnose an infectious disease, there may be treatment delays. Inadequate testing, misinterpretation of results, or failure to consider the possibility of an infectious disease may all lead to harm. Meningitis, sepsis, Lyme disease, and other diseases may require timely treatment to prevent death or serious harm.
Failure to manage infections
Healthcare providers may fail to manage or treat an infection effectively, causing a patient’s condition to worsen. An infection may not be properly identified, antibiotics may not be prescribed, and surgical interventions may be delayed. The result may be devastating for the patient.
Failing to recognize vascular injury during or after surgery
Vascular injury may occur during or after surgery. Vascular injuries include damage to blood vessels, arteries, or veins. Injury may include bleeding, reduced blood flow, and other related complications. Hemorrhage, organ damage, and loss of limb may occur.
Prescription errors and allergic reactions to medication
Prescription errors include prescribing the wrong medication, filling the wrong medication, and negligently prescribing medicines likely to cause an allergic or adverse reaction. Anaphylaxis, organ damage, unwanted side effects, and death may occur. We accept claims involving serious injury or death from a prescription error.
Misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis
The wrong diagnosis, or a diagnosis that comes too late, may prevent a person from getting the care they need. Cancer, heart attacks, strokes, infections, and other conditions may worsen or result in fatality.
Anesthesia errors
Anesthesia errors and related malpractice may result in brain damage, respiratory problems, or death. Inadequate monitoring and failing to identify relevant, pre-existing conditions can result in injury and death.
Understanding Medical Malpractice Claims
Medical malpractice is medical negligence. It is healthcare that falls short of the standard of care. Establishing medical negligence typically requires demonstrating that the healthcare provider deviated from the accepted standard of care in how they treated their patient.
Claims for medical malpractice compensation are highly technical. They require detailed medical records and expert testimony to review what happened and discuss the standard of care. We work to prove how the care deviated from recognized standards and caused harm to the patient. We build the evidence to prove the standard of care, departure from recognized standards, causation of harm to the patient, and damages that are appropriate to award in compensation.
Who May Commit Medical Malpractice?
A wide range of medical professionals may commit medical malpractice, including:
- Doctors
- Physician assistants and associates
- Nurses, nurse practitioners
- Anesthesiologists
- Dentists
- Surgeons
- Ophthalmologists
- Physical therapists
- General practitioners and specialists
- Other medical professionals
Compensation for Medical Malpractice
Compensation for medical malpractice can cover a range of damages. Often, the person has additional medical bills because of what has happened. Unexpected complications because of the malpractice may need to be corrected. In addition, when care is delayed, the person’s condition may worsen, requiring additional care.
The damages that you can claim include medical care, lost income, personal and nursing care, and other financial losses. You may also claim for physical pain, emotional anguish, and the trauma of what you have endured. Economic and non-economic damages are recognized under South Carolina law. Our Columbia medical malpractice lawyers evaluate damages and seek what is appropriate for your case.
Time Is Limited – Don’t Wait to Contact Us
When medical malpractice occurs, it’s important to contact us as soon as you realize that something is wrong. The evidence that we gather, and the information that we document early on is critical to your recovery. Don’t wait until it’s close to the deadline, or it may be difficult or impossible to pursue your case.
Time is limited in any medical malpractice case, so don’t wait. Contact us right away to talk about your situation and begin.
Why Choose Our Experienced Team?
We are leaders in medical malpractice litigation, having secured tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our valued clients. We’ve been named Top Rated Medical Malpractice Attorneys by Super Lawyers. With over 20 years of experience in medical malpractice claims, and over 100 years of combined experience, we’re fully equipped to represent the interests of victims and families in medical malpractice claims.
When the Rikard & Protopapas team of medical malpractice lawyers represent you, you can expect:
- Lawyers who hold the AV® PreeminentTM rating.
- A team with admissions in South Carolina courts, U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, United States Supreme Court.
- Understanding of the technical, scientific, and procedural steps that are critical in medical malpractice claims.
- Experience in the courtroom, in legal procedures, and in case negotiations. We represent you inside and outside the courtroom.
- A large team of ten attorneys and a full support staff to meet your needs.
Our lawyers have been recognized by Columbia Living Magazine as Top Attorneys and Top-Rated Personal Injury Attorneys. We have also been named as Super Lawyers in the area of medical malpractice. We’re members of the South Carolina Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice. More than 1,600 clients have trusted us to meet their legal needs.
Court for Medical Malpractice Claims in Columbia, SC
Most medical malpractice claims in Columbia, SC are heard in Richland County Circuit Court. Claims arising in Lexington County are heard in Lexington County Circuit Court. There are multiple factors that may impact where to file your case. Our legal team can evaluate all the factors and determine where to bring your case.
Medical Malpractice Case Consultations Available Now
We are full-service lawyers dedicated to all aspects of your case. Consultations are available, and there is no cost to talk to the Rikard & Protopapas medical malpractice lawyers in Columbia. We can meet you in our offices, at home, the hospital, or virtually via Zoom.
Our clients do not pay anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis meaning we will only get paid if we successfully resolve your case. Please ask us for more information.
Let us review your case plan and determine the right path for you. When medical malpractice harms you or a family member, our work can be a critical part of the healing process. See how we can help you secure a future with financial compensation. Contact us now.