St. Petersburg Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Experienced St. Petersburg medical malpractice attorneys helping hold healthcare professionals accountable when their mistakes lead to preventable injuries or death
When you seek medical care, you trust doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers with your health and your life. You rely on their expertise to heal and protect you, not to cause harm. That’s one of the reasons why medical malpractice cases are so devastating. They don’t just result in physical injuries; they shatter the confidence you placed in someone who was supposed to help you.
The aftermath of a medical mistake can leave you overwhelmed, angry, and uncertain about your next steps. How do I prove something went wrong? Who can I trust to get me the answers I deserve?
At Palmer Lopez, we recognize that suffering from a serious medical error is not only frustrating but scary, and we’re here to help. Our dedicated St. Petersburg medical malpractice lawyers specialize in these types of cases, so you can rest assured we have the knowledge and resources you need to find the truth and get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Injured by a doctor’s mistake? Accountability starts here.
Contact Palmer Lopez today to schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your legal options.
Client reviews and testimonials
At Palmer Lopez, we pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our clients. We believe their testimonials reflect our commitment to personalized, dedicated legal representation.
I came to Mr. Palmer with a case that I knew would be very sensitive and difficult. He was VERY sensitive to my feelings but also very informative and honest with me. He worked EXTREMELY hard to settle my case quickly and professionally. He went above and beyond, what I believe, any other attorney would have done. The staff at Palmer Lopez kept in contact with me regularly and were always friendly. I would HIGHLY recommend Palmer Lopez to any person looking for help with their medical malpractice suit.
Naomi S.
Attorney Joe Lopez has been amazing for me! After experiencing life threatening, disfiguring complications in surgery, Mr. Lopez took on my case with no hesitation. Throughout the entire process, he and his staff have stayed in consistent communication with me. They have provided updates on the status of the case, spoken with me after depositions and negotiations, and have just been right beside me through the process. He was insistent on getting me the award that I deserved. I would certainly recommend him to anyone in need of a lawyer and advocate!
Sheron W.
Attorney Joey Lopez did a phenomenal job helping me with my case from start to finish. He always took the time to answer my questions and concerns, making sure I understood everything that was going on. It was clear he had my best interests in mind and was passionate about his work. I couldn’t be happier with how my case was handled. If you are looking for someone who will go to bat for you and work hard to get the job done, attorney Joey Lopez is your guy!
Tyler G.
Fighting for your rights after a medical mistake in St. Petersburg
At Palmer Lopez, we have experience in a wide variety of medical malpractice cases, from botched cosmetic surgeries to cancer misdiagnoses to birth injuries.
When doctors fail to provide the standard of care expected in their profession, the consequences can be life-changing. From misdiagnoses to surgical mistakes, physician negligence can result in serious harm that leaves patients with lasting complications.
Hospitals are responsible for maintaining safe environments and competent staff, but negligence in supervision, policies, or facility management can lead to patient harm. Poor infection control, delayed treatments, staffing shortages, and long wait times in emergency rooms are just some ways hospitals can fail their duty of care.
Mistakes involving prescriptions, dosages, or drug administration can have devastating effects on patients. Whether caused by a pharmacist, nurse, or doctor, medication errors can result in adverse reactions, worsening conditions, or even wrongful death.
Overprescribing drugs, especially opioids like fentanyl and other addictive medications, can lead to long-term health issues, dependency, or fatal overdoses. This negligence often reflects a failure to assess risks or explore safer alternatives for treatment.
Failing to diagnose cancer or providing an incorrect diagnosis can delay critical treatments, severely impacting a patient’s prognosis. Misdiagnoses may lead to unnecessary procedures or allow the disease to progress unchecked, leading to fatal outcomes.
Defective implants or improperly performed procedures can result in physical pain, disfigurement, or complications like ruptures and infections. Beyond the physical toll, victims often experience emotional distress and a significant impact on their self-esteem, as well as the need for additional surgeries.
Cosmetic surgeries gone wrong—such as botched liposuction, facelift, or rhinoplasty procedures—can leave patients with physical and emotional scars. Negligent surgeons may cause nerve damage, infections, or deformities that require extensive corrective procedures.
Medical errors before, during, or immediately after childbirth can lead to injuries that permanently impact the health of both mother and baby. Failure to properly monitor the mother and baby, delayed interventions (like C-sections) when the baby is showing signs of distress, or improper use of delivery tools are common examples of preventable mistakes.
Cerebral palsy is a form of brain damage that often results from oxygen deprivation or trauma during labor and delivery. Negligence, such as failing to monitor fetal distress, can lead to this lifelong condition that affects mobility and cognitive development.
Catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, organ damage, and spinal cord paralysis can leave victims with permanent disabilities and profound life changes. These injuries often require lifelong medical care and can stem from preventable medical mistakes during surgery or as a result of medication errors.
What qualifies as medical malpractice in Florida?
Medical malpractice in Florida occurs when a healthcare provider’s actions—or lack of action—fall below the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. The standard of care is the level of care and treatment that a qualified healthcare professional in the same specialty would deliver in comparable circumstances.
When a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other medical professional deviates from this standard, it may constitute malpractice if it directly causes injury or worsens a patient’s condition.
To qualify as medical malpractice in Florida, it must be shown that the healthcare provider had a duty to care for the patient, failed to meet the standard of care, and that this failure caused harm, resulting in damages. These damages can include:
- Physical injuries
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Additional medical expenses
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Diminished quality of life
A local St. Petersburg attorney with experience in medical malpractice cases can help you determine if your case meets these criteria and explain the next steps in filing a lawsuit in Florida.
What is the difference between negligence and malpractice?
Negligence and malpractice both involve a failure to meet expected standards, but they differ in scope and context.
- Negligence refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to harm. It can occur in any situation where someone’s careless actions (or inactions) result in injury or damage to another person. For example, if a driver runs a red light and causes a car accident, their behavior may be considered negligent.
- Malpractice is a specific type of negligence that occurs within a professional context. It involves a failure by a licensed professional—such as a doctor, nurse, engineer, or accountant—to provide services that meet the accepted standard of care in their field. For instance, if a physician administers the wrong dose of anesthesia during surgery, this could qualify as malpractice if it results in harm to the patient.
In short, while all malpractice is negligence, not all negligence is malpractice. Malpractice specifically applies to professionals who fail to perform their duties competently, and it often requires proving that the professional’s actions deviated from the accepted standards in their profession.
Can you sue for a misdiagnosis in Florida?
Yes, you can sue for a misdiagnosis in Florida if the error resulted from medical negligence and caused you harm. It’s important to understand, however, that not all misdiagnoses qualify as malpractice.
For instance, if the condition is rare or presents with ambiguous symptoms, a reasonable doctor might misdiagnose it without breaching the standard of care.
Below are some examples of misdiagnoses that could lead to lawsuits:
- Delayed cancer diagnosis. When a doctor incorrectly attributes cancer symptoms to a minor illness, it can delay critical testing and life-saving treatments. This delay often allows the cancer to progress to advanced stages, reducing the effectiveness of treatment and significantly worsening the patient’s prognosis.
- Heart attack misdiagnosed as acid reflux. A doctor failing to recognize key symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, may mistake it for acid reflux or indigestion. This misdiagnosis can lead to delayed intervention, causing permanent heart damage or even death.
- Serious infection misdiagnosed as a common cold. Symptoms of severe infections like meningitis are sometimes mistaken for a harmless cold, leading to a failure to treat the underlying condition. Without timely intervention, the infection can spread rapidly, becoming life-threatening or causing permanent damage to vital organs.
- Stroke mistaken for a migraine. Stroke symptoms, such as severe headaches, dizziness, or numbness, are sometimes dismissed as a migraine. This delay in treatment can result in irreversible brain damage, paralysis, or other long-term neurological impairments.
- Ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosed as abdominal pain. An ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, may initially present as mild abdominal pain. If not properly diagnosed, it can result in a ruptured fallopian tube, causing internal bleeding, infertility, and other severe complications, including death.
- Aortic aneurysm misdiagnosed as muscle pain or indigestion. An aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening condition where the wall of the aorta weakens and bulges, is sometimes misdiagnosed as harmless muscle pain, indigestion, or a back issue. Failure to recognize this condition can result in a rupture, leading to massive internal bleeding, organ failure, or death without immediate surgical intervention.
In instances where a healthcare provider fails to take necessary steps—such as ordering appropriate tests, reviewing patient history, or recognizing clear symptoms—and their negligence leads to harm, it may be considered malpractice.
Case results
How do I prove medical malpractice in Florida?
To prove medical malpractice in Florida, an attorney begins by gathering evidence, such as medical records, diagnostic reports, and any other relevant documents, to evaluate the details of the case. You can assist in this process by providing detailed accounts of your experiences, keeping records of your symptoms, treatments, and outcomes, and identifying any inconsistencies or concerns you noticed during your care.
Attorneys then consult medical experts to review the healthcare provider’s actions and determine if those actions fell below the accepted standard of care. Expert testimony is critical in Florida malpractice cases to establish what a competent professional would have done differently under similar circumstances.
Next, the attorney builds a strong case by connecting the provider’s negligence to the harm suffered by the patient, using evidence and expert opinions to present a compelling argument. They also handle Florida’s strict pre-suit legal requirements, such as providing a notice of intent to sue and securing an expert affidavit, both of which are mandatory before a case can proceed to court.
By meticulously addressing each of these steps and collaborating with experts, an experienced medical malpractice lawyer maximizes the chances of proving malpractice and securing compensation.
What is the first step in a malpractice suit?
The first step in a medical malpractice suit is reaching out to an attorney with experience in these types of cases to guide you through the process. Medical malpractice cases are incredibly complex, involving both legal and medical details that can be impossible to navigate on your own.
Unfortunately, without a deep understanding of the law and the medical standards involved, gathering evidence and negotiating with the other side can be an uphill battle that often ends with victims of medical errors not getting the compensation they rightfully deserve.
Where can I find an experienced St. Petersburg medical malpractice attorney near me?
At Palmer Lopez, our knowledgeable attorneys specialize in medical malpractice claims, so we understand how high the stakes are for you and your family. A medical mistake can significantly disrupt your life, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn.
We’re here to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and make sure your voice is heard every step of the way. We also believe that justice should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we never charge a fee unless we win your case.
Contact the experienced St. Petersburg medical malpractice attorneys at Palmer Lopez today for a free consultation to begin exploring your legal options, and let us put our experience and dedication to work for you.
