Serving New Hampshire Since 1908
Medical Malpractice
Peterborough Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Expert Legal Representation for Medical Malpractice in Peterborough
At Upton & Hatfield, LLP, we understand how catastrophic medical malpractice can be for patients and their families. When medical professionals fail to provide the standard of care expected in their field, the consequences can be life-altering. If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence, our experienced Peterborough medical malpractice lawyers are here to help you seek justice and fair compensation.
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or hospital, deviates from the accepted standard of care, causing harm to a patient. This negligence can result from errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare, or health management. In New Hampshire, medical malpractice claims require strong evidence to demonstrate that a provider's actions fell below the expected standard of care and directly caused injury or harm.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice can take many forms, but some of the most common types include:
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis – A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can prevent patients from receiving timely and appropriate treatment, leading to worsened conditions or even fatal consequences.
Surgical Errors – Mistakes during surgery, such as operating on the wrong site, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or performing an incorrect procedure, can result in severe complications.
Medication Errors – Prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or failure to check for harmful drug interactions can cause significant harm to patients.
Birth Injuries – Errors made during labor and delivery can lead to permanent disabilities such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or other birth-related injuries.
Anesthesia Errors – Administering too much or too little anesthesia, failing to monitor the patient properly, or not checking for allergies can lead to life-threatening situations.
Failure to Treat – If a doctor correctly diagnoses a condition but fails to recommend or provide appropriate treatment, the patient’s condition may worsen unnecessarily.
Proving Medical Malpractice in New Hampshire
Medical malpractice cases require substantial evidence and legal expertise to prove negligence. To establish a successful claim, the following elements must be demonstrated:
Doctor-Patient Relationship – Proof that a formal doctor-patient relationship existed, establishing the duty of care owed by the provider.
Breach of Standard of Care – Evidence that the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted medical standard of care.
Causation – The negligence directly caused harm or injury to the patient.
Damages – The patient suffered damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or long-term disability.
New Hampshire law also requires medical malpractice claims to go through a mandatory screening panel before proceeding to trial. This panel assesses whether the claim has merit, which can influence the case’s outcome.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Multiple parties can be held responsible in a medical malpractice case, including:
Doctors and Surgeons – If a physician’s negligence led to injury, they may be held accountable.
Nurses and Medical Staff – Errors made by nurses or medical assistants can contribute to malpractice.
Hospitals and Medical Facilities – Healthcare institutions can be liable for inadequate policies, negligent hiring, or undertrained staff.
Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Companies – Incorrect medication dispensing or failure to warn about side effects may result in liability.
Why Choose Upton & Hatfield, LLP?
With decades of experience advocating for victims of medical malpractice, Upton & Hatfield, LLP is committed to fighting for justice on behalf of our clients. Our team of skilled attorneys understands the complexities of medical malpractice law in New Hampshire and will work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf. We offer personalized legal counsel, aggressive representation, and a deep understanding of the medical and legal standards necessary to succeed in your claim.
