Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider fails to meet accepted standards of care. Negligence, either intentional or accidental, can result in serious harm to the patient. When this happens, victims are entitled to seek compensation for all related damages through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Misdiagnosis is one of the leading causes of medical malpractice claims. According to recent studies, one in 20 adults in the United States is misdiagnosed every year, resulting in more than 12 million misdiagnoses.

The most commonly misdiagnosed conditions include cancer, heart attack, and stroke, all of which can be fatal if not caught and treated early on. If you have been injured or a loved one has died following a missed or delayed medical diagnosis, give us a call to schedule a free case review and learn more about your options.

In the state of California, you have one year from the date an injury was discovered to file a medical malpractice claim. It is best to file well before this date approaches.

Medical malpractice claims can be very difficult to win. The sooner we can begin investigating an incident, the higher our chances of uncovering serious mistakes.

Only around seven percent of medical malpractice claims result in a trial, a vast majority are settled during mediation. While it is unlikely that your claim will go to court, we prepare each case for the possibility of a trial to make sure we can provide the most effective representation regardless of the route a claim takes.

Compensation following medical malpractice may include special damages for medical expenses, wages lost while recovering, and any adaptive technologies or home modifications that have been made necessary by your injury. General damages may be sought as well. These include less concrete issues such as physical pain and emotional suffering.

In rare cases, punitive damages are included in medical malpractice claims. These are reserved for particularly egregious cases or where a provider’s actions were so unbelievably negligent as to warrant this specific punishment.

Medical malpractice claims are not easy to win. Only around 37% of these cases are won by plaintiffs. When you try to take on the medical industry alone, you are up against their lobbyists, attorneys, and insurance companies. Doctors have protection. The organizations they work for have protection. Who is going to protect you?

Having a medical malpractice lawyer on your side is not a guarantee of success, but it can make the difference between a viable case and one that is dismissed. It costs nothing to discuss your case with one of our lawyers. Give us a call to schedule your confidential case review and learn more about your rights today.

Medical malpractice can occur in many forms. Some of the most common claims include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: When a doctor fails to identify a condition or diagnoses it too late for effective treatment.
• Surgical errors: Such as wrong-site surgery, leaving instruments inside the body, or performing unnecessary procedures.
• Medication errors: Including prescribing the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or failure to check for harmful interactions.
• Anesthesia mistakes: Errors in administering anesthesia that result in injury, brain damage, or death.
• Birth injuries: Negligence during labor and delivery that causes harm to the baby or mother.
• Failure to obtain informed consent: Not properly explaining the risks of a procedure to the patient.

These cases often involve hospitals, urgent care centers, private practices, or nursing facilities in Anaheim and surrounding areas.

California law requires that medical malpractice claims meet specific criteria:

• Statute of limitations: Victims must file within one year of discovering the injury, or within three years of the injury occurring — whichever comes first.
• MICRA cap on damages: Non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering) are limited to $350,000 under the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act.
• Mandatory notice: Plaintiffs must give healthcare providers at least 90 days' notice before filing a lawsuit.

Our team conducts a thorough investigation to determine whether:

• A provider owed you a duty of care
• That duty was breached by negligent actions or omissions
• The breach directly caused your injury
• Damages such as additional medical costs, lost income, or pain and suffering resulted

We collaborate with medical experts to review records and establish a strong legal foundation.

Medical malpractice can lead to a wide range of serious and sometimes permanent injuries. In many cases, the harm results from a delay in diagnosis, improper treatment, or surgical error that could have been avoided with proper care. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Brain damage from oxygen deprivation or anesthesia errors
• Infections or complications due to surgical negligence
• Nerve damage or paralysis caused by improper technique
• Disfigurement or loss of function after botched procedures
• Birth injuries such as cerebral palsy or brachial plexus injury
• Emotional and psychological trauma from negligent care

These injuries may result in extended hospitalization, long-term disability, or the need for ongoing medical treatment.

While doctors are often the focus of malpractice claims, several other individuals or entities can share liability. The law holds all healthcare providers and facilities to a duty of care. Those who may be held legally responsible include:

• Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and attending physicians
• Nurses and support staff who fail to follow procedures
• Hospitals or medical centers for hiring unqualified personnel
• Urgent care clinics and outpatient surgery centers
• Medical device manufacturers, if faulty equipment contributed to the injury
• Pharmacists or pharmacies that dispense incorrect medications

Cifarelli Law Firm has over 30 years of experience holding negligent medical professionals accountable. We are known for:

• Deep knowledge of California malpractice laws
• Successful litigation against hospitals and insurance companies
• Compassionate representation focused on our clients' recovery and dignity
• Local understanding of medical systems in Anaheim and Santa Ana