Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers Surprise, AZ

Surprise, AZ Medical Malpractice FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Surprise, Arizona?

  The Surprise Police Department can be reached at 623-222-4000 or 623-222-4004 (TTY) for non-emergency concerns.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Surprise, Arizona?

  You can visit the Surprise Police Department Records Unit to make a report copy request in person. The department is located at 14250 W Statler Plaza 103, Surprise, AZ 85374-7474. For inquiries on police report copies, call 623-222-4040 or email publicrecords.spd@surpriseaz.gov. You can also submit a public record request online at https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Medical+Malpractice+Lawyers+Surprise%2C+AZ.

• What is the statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Surprise?

  You must file your medical malpractice lawsuits in Surprise within two years. The two-year count starts from the date you discovered the malpractice, or should have discovered it, by exercising due diligence. If the medical malpractice resulted in the wrongful death of the patient, the statute of limitations starts counting from the date of their passing. These are according to Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-542(1) (2022).

• What types of medical malpractice damages can you claim in Surprise and for how much?

  You can claim non-economic damages like lost wages, medical bills, and future lost earnings. Non-economic damages like pain and suffering are also compensated in medical malpractice cases as long as your Surprise medical malpractice lawyer can substantiate it. There is no limit to how much you can claim. While other states impose damage caps to avoid getting hospitals into bankruptcy, it was ruled unconstitutional in Arizona to limit the victim’s damage compensation.

• What is this Certificate of Merit, and can your Surprise medical malpractice attorney help you with it?

  The Certificate of Merit is required for you to be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Surprise. It is an affidavit from a medical expert confirming that you have valid grounds to claim medical malpractice. The medical expert must be qualified for your particular case, e.g., an oncologist if you’re suing your oncologist. Your medical malpractice lawyer can help you find a qualified medical expert and prepare the Certificate of Merit.

• How do you know if your injuries qualify for a medical malpractice case in Surprise?

  Below are four key components of a medical malpractice case:

  • The healthcare provider owes you a professional duty of care.
  • The healthcare provider failed to deliver the standard of care expected from someone of their qualifications.
  • The healthcare provider's negligent action or inaction resulted in your injury or made your condition worse.
  • You suffered damages stemming from this negligence. It is advised that you consult a Surprise medical malpractice lawyer to determine if you have a valid claim.

• Can you still claim medical malpractice damages in Surprise if you were partly to blame for your injury?

  Yes, because Surprise uses a comparative negligence system that allows injury victims to claim damages even if they are partly at fault. Note that the compensation you will get will be reduced by your percentage of fault. So, if you were found to be 10% at fault for not taking your required medications, your compensation of $50,000 will be reduced to $45,000.