Sterling Heights Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A visit to the doctor, hospital, or clinic in Sterling Heights should lead to healing and relief. When medical professionals make avoidable mistakes, patients can experience life-changing harm. A Sterling Heights medical malpractice lawyer can guide you through the process of holding negligent healthcare providers accountable and help you seek compensation for your losses.

At Goodman Acker PC, we represent patients and families who’ve suffered because of preventable medical errors, from misdiagnoses to surgical mistakes. We understand the emotional and financial impact these cases bring, and we’re here to help you pursue justice and closure.

If you or someone you love suffered harm due to substandard medical care in Sterling Heights, reach out for a free consultation today to discuss your options.

Key Takeaways: Medical Malpractice in Sterling Heights

• Medical malpractice in Michigan occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence causes patient harm, requiring proof of a doctor-patient relationship, breach of the standard of care, causation, and damages.
• Michigan’s statute of limitations generally provides three years from the date of injury or six months from discovery to file a medical malpractice claim, with exceptions for minors and certain circumstances.
• Michigan law requires an affidavit of merit from a qualified medical professional within 182 days of filing a lawsuit, confirming that the provider’s conduct fell below accepted medical standards.
• Non-economic damages in Michigan medical malpractice cases are capped at approximately $540,000, with higher limits of about $970,000 for catastrophic injuries involving permanent disability or death.
• Successful malpractice claims may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and wrongful death-related losses.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice happens when a healthcare provider delivers care that falls below accepted medical standards, causing a patient injury. Michigan law sets specific criteria that must be met before a claim is valid.

Elements of a Valid Medical Malpractice Claim in Michigan

To file a malpractice lawsuit in Michigan, the following elements must be proven:

• Doctor-patient relationship: You must show that a professional relationship existed between you and the provider, meaning they agreed to diagnose or treat you.
• Breach of the standard of care: The provider’s actions or omissions failed to meet the accepted standards expected of similarly trained professionals.
• Causation: The provider’s breach directly caused your injury or worsened your condition.
• Damages: You suffered measurable harm, such as additional medical bills, disability, or reduced earning ability.

How Medical Malpractice Differs from Medical Negligence

While both involve mistakes, malpractice refers to professional negligence that violates a recognized medical standard, while general negligence can occur in other contexts. Malpractice usually requires testimony from medical professionals to establish what a competent provider would have done differently.

What Are the Most Common Examples of Medical Malpractice in Sterling Heights?

Medical malpractice can occur in various medical facilities throughout Sterling Heights, including hospitals, urgent care centers, and private practices.

Surgical Errors and Mistakes

Errors during surgery often cause serious complications. Examples include operating on the wrong body part, puncturing internal organs, or failing to control bleeding. A patient undergoing surgery at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Sterling Heights, for instance, might face extended recovery and additional procedures due to such errors.

Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis

When a doctor misreads test results or fails to recognize symptoms, treatment can be delayed, allowing a condition to worsen. Cancer, stroke, and heart disease are frequently misdiagnosed, often with devastating outcomes.

Medication Errors and Prescription Mistakes

Pharmacists or physicians sometimes prescribe or dispense the wrong medication or dosage. These errors can cause severe side effects or harmful drug interactions.

Birth Injuries and Obstetric Malpractice

Errors during pregnancy, labor, or delivery can harm both mother and child. Examples include failure to monitor fetal distress or misuse of delivery instruments, leading to injuries like cerebral palsy or brachial plexus damage.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesiologists have a duty to monitor a patient’s vital signs closely. Errors in dosage or failure to recognize allergic reactions can lead to oxygen deprivation, brain injury, or cardiac arrest.

Emergency Room Negligence

Emergency departments at places like Henry Ford Medical Center in Sterling Heights handle high volumes of patients, and rushed decisions sometimes lead to misdiagnoses or improper treatment.

What Do I Need to Prove in a Michigan Medical Malpractice Case?

To succeed in a Michigan medical malpractice case, you must establish specific legal elements that demonstrate the provider’s negligence.

Establishing the Standard of Care

The standard of care refers to what a reasonably skilled healthcare provider would have done under similar circumstances. Establishing this requires testimony from qualified professionals who can explain how proper treatment should have occurred.

Demonstrating Breach of the Standard of Care

Once the standard is defined, the next step is proving that the provider failed to meet it. For example, a surgeon who disregards sterilization protocols or a physician who ignores lab results may have breached that duty.

Proving Causation Between Negligence and Injury

You must show that the provider’s actions directly caused your injury, not an unrelated health condition. This connection can be supported through medical records, expert opinions, and witness testimony.

Documenting Your Damages

Evidence of damages includes medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation costs, and emotional distress. Keeping detailed records strengthens your case and helps demonstrate the full impact of the provider’s conduct.

What Is Michigan’s Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice?

Michigan law sets specific time limits for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from pursuing a claim.

The Three-Year General Rule Under MCL 600.5805

In most cases, you must file your claim within three years of the date the medical error occurred.

The Discovery Rule and Six-Month Extension

If the injury wasn’t immediately apparent, you may have up to six months from the date you discovered or should have discovered the malpractice.

Statute of Limitations for Minors

Minors who suffer medical malpractice have additional time to file. In most situations, they have until their 10th birthday to begin a case, although exceptions may apply.

Exceptions and Tolling Provisions

Certain conditions, such as mental incompetence or fraudulent concealment, may extend the filing deadline. Consulting an attorney soon after discovering potential malpractice helps ensure your claim meets all timing requirements.

What Are Michigan’s Affidavit of Merit Requirements?

Michigan law requires plaintiffs to provide an affidavit of merit before filing a malpractice lawsuit.

The 182-Day Notice Requirement Under MCL 600.2912b

Before filing suit, you must give the healthcare provider 182 days’ written notice describing the claim and alleged negligence. This allows time for potential settlement discussions or case evaluation.

Expert Qualifications Under Michigan Law

The affidavit must be signed by a medical professional in the same specialty as the defendant, confirming that the provider’s conduct deviated from accepted medical standards.

Consequences of Failing to File an Affidavit of Merit

Failing to file a valid affidavit can lead to dismissal of your case. This procedural step is essential to proceed with a malpractice claim.

Are There Damage Caps in Michigan Medical Malpractice Cases?

Michigan limits the amount of non-economic damages a patient may recover in malpractice lawsuits.

Non-Economic Damage Caps Under MCL 600.1483

Michigan generally caps non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, at around $540,000. This limit increases to approximately $970,000 for cases involving paralysis, brain injury, or death.

Economic Damages in Medical Malpractice Cases

Economic damages, including medical bills, future care, and lost wages, aren’t capped. These damages are calculated based on actual financial losses and expert testimony.

Exceptions for Catastrophic Injuries

If the malpractice caused permanent disability or a significant loss of bodily function, higher non-economic caps may apply.

How Our Attorneys Can Help

Goodman Acker PC helps individuals and families in Sterling Heights recover after negligent medical treatment. Our attorneys understand the detailed laws governing these cases and build claims that hold healthcare providers accountable.

Comprehensive Case Investigation and Medical Record Review

Every malpractice case begins with an in-depth review of the medical facts. Our team requests and organizes all relevant records, including hospital charts, physician notes, test results, and imaging reports. We compare those records to accepted medical standards to identify potential errors.

When reviewing these materials, we look for patterns or oversights that point to negligence, such as:

• Incomplete documentation: Missing or altered medical records can suggest attempts to conceal errors.
• Inconsistent treatment decisions: Orders that deviate from the usual course of care may indicate a failure to follow proper procedures.
• Ignored symptoms or test results: Delays in responding to abnormal findings often signal substandard care.

We also consult with independent physicians to verify whether the provider’s actions fell below expected medical standards. This early investigative step forms the foundation of a strong claim and helps clarify whether the injury resulted from negligence rather than an unavoidable complication.

Securing Qualified Expert Witnesses

Michigan medical malpractice cases require testimony from healthcare professionals in the same specialty as the defendant. Our firm has established relationships with respected experts who help clarify complex medical details for judges and juries.

These experts:

• Review patient records: They analyze the treatment provided and identify how it differed from accepted practices.
• Explain medical concepts: Their testimony helps non-medical audiences understand technical issues in plain terms.
• Strengthen causation arguments: They connect the provider’s mistakes directly to the patient’s injuries.

By presenting credible and understandable expert testimony, we make it easier for decision-makers to see how the malpractice occurred and how it harmed our client.

Meeting All Michigan Procedural Requirements

Medical malpractice claims require careful compliance with Michigan’s notice and filing rules. We handle every procedural step to keep your case on track.

Maximizing Your Compensation

The harm caused by medical negligence can affect nearly every aspect of daily life. Goodman Acker PC works to capture the full extent of those losses through detailed documentation and professional analysis. We collaborate with medical and financial experts to project both current and future needs.

Damages in a malpractice claim often include:

• Medical expenses: Hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription costs, and future treatment needs.
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability: Income lost during recovery or resulting from long-term disability.
• Pain and suffering: The physical pain, emotional impact, and disruption caused by the injury.
• Loss of companionship: In wrongful death cases, surviving family members can pursue compensation for the loss of love and support.

Our attorneys carefully evaluate settlement offers and push back when insurers attempt to undervalue claims. We negotiate from a position of strength, supported by evidence, expert reports, and testimony that demonstrate the scope of our client’s harm.

Taking Your Case to Trial When Necessary

When insurers or healthcare providers refuse fair settlement offers, we prepare to present your case in court with thorough documentation and expert support.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice Claims

How much does it cost to hire a medical malpractice lawyer in Sterling Heights?

Goodman Acker PC handles medical malpractice cases on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay upfront legal fees. Our fee is collected as a percentage of the recovery, and you owe nothing if there’s no financial recovery.

Can I sue a hospital for medical malpractice in Michigan?

Yes, hospitals and healthcare facilities can be held liable for the negligence of their employees, such as doctors, nurses, or technicians. You can pursue a claim if the negligent provider worked for the hospital at the time of the error.

What if I signed a consent form before my procedure?

A consent form doesn’t excuse negligent medical care. While it acknowledges certain risks, it doesn’t protect providers from accountability if they fail to meet professional standards.

How long does a medical malpractice case take in Michigan?

Medical malpractice claims vary widely in the time they take to resolve. A lot depends on case complexity, discovery, and whether the claim goes to trial. Our team works efficiently to move cases forward and pursue fair outcomes.

What happens if the healthcare provider dies before my case is resolved?

If the provider passes away, the claim can continue against their estate. Michigan law allows this to ensure victims still have a path to recovery.

Contact Our Med Mal Attorneys in Sterling Heights Now

Medical malpractice cases require careful attention to deadlines, documentation, and legal procedures. Acting quickly protects your right to pursue a claim.

Goodman Acker PC represents patients throughout Sterling Heights who’ve suffered because of negligent medical treatment. Our team provides compassionate, thorough representation for clients seeking accountability and financial relief.

If you suspect malpractice occurred, contact us today for a free consultation at (586) 261-8457. We’ll listen to your story, review your records, and explain how we can help you move forward toward resolution.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]