Medical malpractice claims can be difficult to prove which is why it is essential to have a knowledgeable, highly skilled attorney working on your case. If you are a resident of Rhode Island and have suffered not only physical injury, but the feeling of betrayal that results from medical malpractice, do yourself a favor and call the Law Offices of William M. Kolb LLC.
Lead attorney William M. Kolb is an accomplished attorney with many years of experience and a long record of successful outcomes. His credentials include spending almost a decade as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the state of Rhode Island. You can count on him to protect your right to fair compensation for all you have been through and to treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve.
Aren’t doctors allowed to make mistakes?
Medical malpractice doesn’t just mean that a healthcare professional or facility made a mistake — it means that the person or institution violated the duty of care owed to the patient. To prove medical malpractice, we must demonstrate that the defendant deviated from accepted norms of practice in the medical community and caused the patient serious injury. In other words, medical malpractice involves negligent (or even reckless) behavior.
Types of Medical Malpractice
There are a number of ways a doctor, nurse, nursing aide, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, hospital, or surgical facility can violate a patient’s right to be treated with appropriate care, including:
- Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis
- Anesthesia administration errors
- Childbirth injuries
- Surgical mistakes
- Postsurgical infections due to improper sterilization
- Emergency room or paramedic errors
- Failed hospital protocol
- Misuse of medical devices
- Medication errors in prescription or administration
- Nursing home malpractice (e.g. neglect or abuse)
- Failure to get the patient’s informed consent for treatment
In order to qualify as medical malpractice, the listed actions must have resulted in serious injury to the patient, either at the time or going forward.
At the Law Offices of William M. Kolb, we realize that anytime healthcare goes severely off track, causing long-term damage to a patient (e.g. chronic headaches, impaired mobility, incontinence) and/or requiring surgical intervention, that individual deserves substantial compensation. If you become our client, William Kolb will work hard to see that you obtain it.
Damages We Will Fight to Obtain
As your attorney, William Kolb’s goal is to make sure you receive damages sufficient to meet the medical and financial needs that have arisen due to the medical malpractice. Depending on the type, severity, and longevity of the harm you have suffered, he will negotiate aggressively to get you the damages you need for:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Extended nursing care
- Lost income, present and future
- Alterations to your home to make it accessible
- Permanent scarring or another disfigurement
- Replacement services
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If medical malpractice has resulted in the wrongful death of a loved one, William Kolb will fight tirelessly to obtain damages for final medical costs, funeral costs, and loss of financial and emotional support.
Rhode Island Laws Concerning Medical Malpractice
State laws pertaining to medical malpractice vary. The following statutes govern medical malpractice cases in Rhode Island.
Statute of Limitations
In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is 3 years from the occurrence, but exceptions are made in situations in which “in the exercise of reasonable diligence” the malpractice was not perceived for some time. In such circumstances, the 3-year clock starts running when the malpractice was discovered.
If you believe that you are a victim of medical malpractice, it is critical to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses are an essential part of medical malpractice proceedings, so it’s important to understand who is qualified to serve in this role. According to Rhode Island law, experts are individuals whose “knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education” qualifies them as experts in the field of the alleged malpractice” (e.g. neurology, orthopedics, urology). Therefore, to be considered an expert, the person must have exceptional professional credentials.
The Thing Speaks for Itself (“Res Ipsa Loquitur”)
The principle of Res Ipsa Loquitur applies when the evidence of medical malpractice is overwhelming and undeniable. In such cases, the opposing attorneys are likely to agree to a settlement quickly. We will make sure that settlement is sufficient to meet all of your medical and practical needs now and in the foreseeable future, particularly because Rhode Island has no cap on medical malpractice damages.
Contact Our Experienced Attorney Today
William M. Kolb is well-prepared to fight for your right to a fair and reasonable settlement. He knows that you and your family are going through a distressing and painful time and will do all he can to help you maintain stability and comfort.
You do not have to worry about what our excellent legal representation will cost. You will not be charged attorneys’ fees until we win you damages. Contact our law offices now so we can begin easing your burden and securing your future.