Medical Malpractice

Has a healthcare provider given you the wrong medicine? Made the wrong diagnosis? Delayed proper treatment so long that you have permanent problems? Injured you or someone in your family? If any healthcare provider has failed to meet the "standard of care" when treating you, you may have a medical malpractice case and may be entitled to compensation.

The Wisconsin laws governing malpractice actions change frequently. Currently, in order to win a malpractice action, you must find a healthcare provider, practicing the same type of medicine, who is willing to testify that your provider "breached the standard of care" in treating you. A health care provider also must testify that the provider's breach of the standard of care was the cause of your injuries.

When you have been injured by malpractice, you may be entitled to recover:

• Past and future income lost.
• Past and future medical and other treatment expenses.
• Mileage to and from treatment appointments.
• The cost of required medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, Advil® and Tylenol®.
• The cost of help in your home, including nursing care and help with household chores.
• Compensation for your pain, suffering, disability, and/or disfigurement.
• If your parent or spouse was injured by malpractice, compensation for the loss of the patient's society and companionship.

In addition, you may be entitled to make a complaint to the provider's licensing board. Addresses and links to the most commonly needed licensing boards are:

Medical Examining Board
c/o Bureau of Health Professions
1400 E. Washington Ave.
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935
Web address: Medical Examining Board

Nursing Examining Board
c/o Bureau of Health Service Professions
1400 E. Washington Ave.
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935
Web address: Nursing Examining Board

Chiropractic Examining Board
c/o Bureau of Health Service Professions
1400 E. Washington Ave.
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935
Web address: Chiropractic Examining Board