medical malpractice attorneys

If you have suffered harm in New Jersey due to the negligence of a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professionals, do what so many other smart victims have done — contact the exceptional New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys at Nagel Rice, LLP.

Over $100 Million in Settlements & Verdicts from Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers

For more than three decades, Nagel Rice LLP has been at the forefront of providing strong legal representation to individuals in need. Our commitment to excellence and dedication to our clients has resulted in a track record of success, with over $100 million in negotiated settlements and verdicts won for our medical malpractice clients.

At Nagel Rice LLP, we understand the impact that personal injury can have on your life, and we are here to fight for your rights.

Although the Hippocratic Oath states, First, Do No Harm,” too many patients suffer an injury at the hands of medical professionals. At Nagel Rice, we are dedicated to helping those who have been put in this untenable position and seeing to it that justice is done. If you have put your trust in healthcare professionals only to suffer a devastating injury during an exam or procedure, or because of a misdiagnosis, we will do everything in our power to bring you a just outcome by obtaining the substantial compensation you deserve for all you have endured. 

If you have tragically lost a loved one to a wrongful death caused by medical malpractice, we will assist you in filing a lawsuit against those responsible. In either case, you can rely on our legal team to treat you with respect and empathy.

Defining Medical Malpractice Law in New Jersey

Everyone makes mistakes, including doctors, but medical malpractice occurs when, through negligent or reckless conduct, a medical professional:

  • Directly injures a patient or causes a fatality
  • Worsens the patient’s medical condition
  • Causes unreasonable or unexpected complications
  • Necessitates additional treatment or surgical intervention

Our job as your medical malpractice attorneys is to prove that the physician, doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare professionals who treated you deviated from the accepted standard of care, care that a reasonably skilled medical professional would have provided under similar circumstances. 

In addition to having behaved incompetently, we must prove that the healthcare professional directly caused your injury and that this injury resulted in specific damages, such as physical pain, loss of income, emotional anguish, and/or permanent disability or death.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice

While you may feel isolated in your misery, a great number of other patients have experienced the sense of betrayal you feel now. Acts of medical malpractice are not only numerous but cover a wide range of negligent acts, including:

Medical Malpractice can occur in any specialty, from obstetrics/gynecology to orthopedics, and can be perpetrated by a healthcare worker at any level, from neurosurgeon to nursing assistant. It is also possible for a healthcare facility to be held accountable for medical malpractice if, for example, a hospital or surgical center has an environmental hazard or does not follow proper protocol for sterilizing equipment. Some medical malpractice cases that affect large groups of patients may be litigated as class action lawsuits. Our New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers will help fight for the justice you deserve.

Medical Malpractice Statistics

Animated image of doctors in a hospital room

Every year, approximately 15,000 to 18,000 lawsuits are submitted, accusing medical professionals of malpractice or negligence. Over 30% of physicians are required to pay medical malpractice insurance premiums exceeding $10,000 annually. Among all medical specialties, psychiatrists have the lowest incidence of being sued, with only 16% of them having faced lawsuits. Here are some interesting medical malpractice statistics:

Can I Sue for Medical Malpractice in New Jersey?

To pursue a medical malpractice case in New Jersey, plaintiffs typically need to establish the following elements:

  1. Existence of a legal duty of care owed by the healthcare provider to the plaintiff.
  2. Negligence on the part of the provider in failing to fulfill the duty of care.
  3. Proof that the medical negligence was a significant factor contributing to the plaintiff’s injury.
  4. Demonstration of damages suffered by the plaintiff as a direct result of the negligence.

It’s important to note that a patient can only pursue a viable medical malpractice claim if they have incurred injuries. The New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys at Nagel Rice LLP can assist you through this difficult process. We will stand by your side every step of the way.

How long do you have to sue for medical malpractice in NJ?

In New Jersey, the statute of limitations to sue for medical malpractice is generally two years from the date the malpractice occurred or should have been reasonably discovered. However, there is also a statute of repose that sets an overall limit of six years from the date of the alleged malpractice, even if the discovery of the malpractice occurs later. It’s essential to consult with a knowledgeable New Jersey medical malpractice attorney to ensure you understand and adhere to the specific time constraints for filing a claim related to medical malpractice.

How long do most malpractice cases take?

The duration of a medical malpractice case can vary widely, typically ranging from one to three years, but some cases may take longer. Factors influencing the timeline include the complexity of the case, the willingness to settle out of court, and the court’s schedule. Initial investigations, negotiations, discovery, expert testimonies, and legal procedures contribute to the overall duration.

Why It Pays to Turn to the Medical Malpractice Law Attorneys at Nagel Rice

Negotiating and litigating medical malpractice cases is difficult for several reasons. One is that although doctors, large medical groups, and corporate health facilities carry enormous amounts of insurance to cover malpractice lawsuits, their insurance providers are no more eager to part with funds than personal insurers.

Also, medical professionals and the entities that hire them tend to have high-power attorneys. Not only will these lawyers fight tooth and nail to protect their client’s assets and reputations, but courts and jurors may be swayed by the cultural bias that places great value on the words of medical professionals. For these reasons, you need the well-developed skills of our medical malpractice attorneys who are extremely capable in terms of:

  • Strong communication skills
  • Close attention to detail
  • Strategic negotiations 
  • Sharp investigatory, negotiation, and litigation skills 
  • Having a network of experts to call on for convincing testimony

When you become a client of Nagel Rice, we will aggressively protect your rights both during negotiations and at trial. Moreover, your initial consultation with us will be free and we will charge you no attorneys’ fees until we win your case.

Damages We Will Fight to Win 

Our medical malpractice lawyers know all too well that your serious injury affects everyone in your family. Until you go through such a troubling time, it is hard to imagine how stressful the situation can be with exorbitant medical bills tearing at your budget at the same time that you are unable to work. Expenses related to your incapacity, such as costs to make your home accessible and to hire outside help to perform chores you would normally handle, can make life extremely difficult. That’s why our law team will fight hard to obtain the substantial resources you need now and to carry you into the future, including damages to cover:

  • Medical and rehabilitation costs
  • Lost income, present and future
  • Pain and suffering
  • Psychological counseling
  • Permanent disability
  • Extended nursing care
  • Permanent scarring or other disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

If your medical malpractice case involves the wrongful death of a close family member, we will work hard to get you funds to pay your final medical costs, and funeral costs, and to try to compensate you for the loss of the deceased’s financial and emotional support. 

Contact Our Experienced Medical Malpractice New Jersey Attorneys Today

Nagel Rice has argued more medical malpractice cases before the New Jersey Supreme Court and the appeals courts than any other New Jersey law practice and has a well-earned reputation for successful outcomes. 

No matter what type of medical malpractice injury you have suffered, we believe strongly that the parties that harmed you must be held accountable, both to provide you with the substantial damages you need and deserve and to prevent other innocent victims from suffering a similar fate. Contact our experienced medical malpractice attorneys today for a free initial consultation.

Nagel Rice, LLP helps its clients with their medical malpractice claims throughout New Jersey including Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County.