When Your Back Is Against The Wall

Columbia Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical professionals are trusted to provide safe, competent care. When a doctor, nurse, or hospital fails to meet that standard, the consequences can be devastating. Medical malpractice can result in life-altering injuries, permanent disabilities, or even wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence in Columbia, South Carolina, you have the right to seek compensation.

At Lanier Law Group, we fight for patients who have suffered due to medical errors. Our legal team understands the complexities of medical malpractice claims and is ready to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. If you believe you have a case, we are here to guide you through the legal process and help you pursue the financial recovery you deserve.

What Qualifies as Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in injury or harm to a patient. Not every poor medical outcome is malpractice, but when negligence or recklessness leads to preventable harm, victims may have grounds for a legal claim.

To prove medical malpractice, the following elements must be established:

A doctor-patient relationship existed: The provider had a duty to treat the patient.
The provider acted negligently: Their actions deviated from accepted medical standards.
The negligence caused harm: There must be a direct link between the provider’s mistake and the patient’s injury.
The patient suffered damages: This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other losses.

To get started, call 919-342-1368 today.

Establishing malpractice requires strong evidence, including medical records, expert testimony, and a thorough investigation. An experienced attorney can help build a compelling case and fight for the compensation you need.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice in Columbia

Medical malpractice can occur in any healthcare setting, from hospitals and surgical centers to private practices and nursing homes. Some of the most common forms of medical negligence include:

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

A misdiagnosis can prevent patients from receiving timely, life-saving treatment. Doctors who fail to recognize symptoms, misinterpret test results, or overlook critical conditions can be held accountable if their mistake causes harm. Cancer, heart attacks, and strokes are frequently misdiagnosed, leading to severe complications or death.

Surgical Errors

Mistakes in the operating room can be catastrophic. Common surgical errors include performing the wrong procedure, operating on the wrong body part, leaving instruments inside the patient, or causing unnecessary damage during surgery. Patients who suffer from these errors may require additional procedures, prolonged recovery, or experience permanent injuries.

Medication and Prescription Errors

Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists are responsible for ensuring patients receive the correct medication and dosage. Administering the wrong drug, prescribing an incorrect dosage, or failing to check for dangerous drug interactions can lead to serious complications, including organ damage, allergic reactions, and fatal overdoses.

Birth Injuries

Negligence during labor and delivery can result in birth injuries that affect a child for life. Conditions such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, and brain damage can occur if doctors fail to monitor fetal distress, delay necessary C-sections, or misuse forceps and vacuum extractors.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia mistakes can have deadly consequences. Errors such as administering too much anesthesia, failing to monitor vital signs, or not checking for patient allergies can result in brain damage, heart failure, or even death.

Hospital and Nursing Negligence

Hospitals must maintain safe conditions, properly train staff, and follow strict hygiene protocols. Negligence such as understaffing, unsanitary environments, and failure to monitor patients can lead to serious injuries, infections, or preventable complications.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Medical Malpractice?

Determining liability in a medical malpractice case is crucial. While doctors are often the primary defendants, other parties may also share responsibility for negligence. Medical malpractice claims can involve multiple layers of liability, and identifying all responsible parties can help maximize the compensation available to victims.

Doctors and Surgeons

Physicians can be held accountable if their mistakes cause harm. This includes misdiagnoses, surgical errors, or failure to provide proper treatment. In some cases, a doctor may also be liable for prescribing the wrong medication or neglecting to follow up on test results that could have led to early intervention.

Hospitals and Medical Facilities

Hospitals and clinics can be liable if their negligence contributed to a patient’s injury. This includes hiring unqualified staff, failing to maintain equipment, or not enforcing safety protocols. If a hospital knowingly allows an impaired or incompetent doctor to continue practicing, they may be held responsible for patient harm.

Nurses, Pharmacists, and Anesthesiologists

Other medical professionals, including nurses who fail to monitor patients, pharmacists who dispense the wrong medication, or anesthesiologists who administer incorrect doses, may also be responsible for malpractice. Mistakes made during medication administration, post-operative care, or patient monitoring can lead to severe complications or even death.

Medical Device Manufacturers

If a defective medical device caused injury, the manufacturer or distributor could be held liable under product liability laws. This includes faulty pacemakers, implants, or surgical instruments. In some cases, hospitals or doctors may also share responsibility if they used or implanted a device despite known defects or improper testing.

How Long Do You Have to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in South Carolina?

South Carolina law imposes a strict deadline on medical malpractice claims. In most cases, victims have three years from the date of the injury or the date the injury was discovered to file a lawsuit. If the claim involves a government entity, the deadline may be shorter.

Waiting too long to take legal action can result in losing your right to compensation. Evidence may disappear, witnesses may forget key details, and medical records may become harder to obtain. If you suspect medical malpractice, consulting an attorney as soon as possible is crucial.

Compensation Available in a Medical Malpractice Claim

Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to significant financial compensation. These damages help cover the physical, emotional, and financial impact of medical negligence. The compensation awarded in a claim depends on the severity of the injury, the long-term effects, and the level of negligence involved.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate for the financial losses directly caused by malpractice. This includes medical expenses such as hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments. Victims may also recover costs for assistive devices, in-home care, and specialized therapies needed for long-term recovery. Lost wages and future earning capacity are also recoverable if the injury prevents the victim from returning to work or forces them into a lower-paying job due to permanent limitations.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for the emotional toll of medical negligence. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Many victims also experience psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, following a medical error. The inability to perform daily tasks, participate in activities once enjoyed, or maintain relationships due to a permanent injury can all contribute to the calculation of non-economic damages.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may be awarded in cases of extreme negligence or reckless misconduct. These damages serve to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future. While not common in all cases, punitive damages may be available in instances of gross medical negligence, such as a surgeon operating under the influence of drugs or a hospital covering up a fatal error.

What Can Medical Malpractice Be Worth?

The value of a medical malpractice claim depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the financial impact on the victim, and the level of negligence involved. While no two cases are the same, victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to substantial compensation to help them recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

Economic Losses

One of the largest components of a medical malpractice claim is economic damages. These cover measurable financial losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing care. If a victim requires long-term treatment, rehabilitation, or assistive devices, these costs are factored into the settlement. In cases where a patient is unable to return to work or must take a lower-paying job due to their injury, compensation for lost earning capacity may also be awarded.

Pain and Suffering

Beyond financial losses, medical malpractice victims often endure significant physical and emotional suffering. Pain and suffering damages compensate for the lasting effects of medical negligence, including chronic pain, reduced mobility, and the impact on daily life. Many victims also experience psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can be considered when determining the value of a claim.

Loss of Quality of Life

In severe cases, medical malpractice can result in permanent disabilities that alter a victim’s ability to enjoy life. If an injury prevents someone from engaging in hobbies, traveling, or spending time with family as they once did, they may be entitled to compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.

Factors That Impact Case Value

The total worth of a medical malpractice claim depends on several key factors, including the severity of the injury, the cost of medical care, the impact on the victim’s ability to work, and whether the negligence involved was particularly egregious. Additionally, South Carolina law places caps on certain types of damages in medical malpractice cases, which can affect the final settlement amount.

What to Do If You Suspect Medical Malpractice

If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, taking the right steps can strengthen your claim and protect your legal rights.

Seek Medical Attention

Your health is the top priority. If you suspect a medical error, seek care from another provider to assess and address the harm caused by negligence. A second opinion can help document the mistake and provide necessary treatment.

Document Everything

Keep copies of medical records, test results, prescriptions, and any communication with healthcare providers. Take notes on what happened, including symptoms, treatments received, and conversations with doctors.

Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies Alone

Hospitals and malpractice insurers may attempt to offer a low settlement or pressure you into signing away your rights. Do not accept any offers or provide statements without consulting a lawyer first.

Contact a Columbia Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical malpractice cases are complex and require extensive investigation, expert testimony, and legal knowledge. An experienced attorney can gather evidence, consult medical experts, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Lanier Law Group?

At Lanier Law Group, we understand the devastating impact of medical malpractice. Our firm is dedicated to helping injured patients recover the compensation they need to move forward.

Aggressive Legal Representation

Medical providers and hospitals have powerful legal teams and insurance companies working to protect them. We push back with strong legal arguments, expert testimony, and aggressive negotiation strategies to hold them accountable.

Personalized Client Advocacy

Every case is unique, and we take the time to understand your specific needs. Our attorneys provide one-on-one attention and guide you through the legal process every step of the way.

No Fees Unless We Win

We handle medical malpractice cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

Injured by Medical Negligence? Take the First Step Toward Justice

If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical malpractice in Columbia, you should not have to fight alone. Facing off against hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies can feel like stepping into the ring against a heavyweight opponent, but you don’t have to go it alone. Lanier Law Group is in your corner, ready to go the distance for you.

Our team will investigate your case, build a powerful legal strategy, and push back against those who try to minimize your claim. The road to justice starts with a single step — reach out today. Call 919-342-1368 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing and reclaiming your future.

Your road to recovery starts now. Call 919-342-1368 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let us take on the legal battle so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

We Won't Back Down

Lanier Law Group is Here When Results Matter Most

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Columbia

We Fight for Our Clients

*Featured Case Results, Settlements, & Trial Wins From Our Attorneys

$4.8 Million

Settlement

A case with multiple plaintiffs who were potentially exposed to a deadly disease while in the hospital.

$3.1 Million

Birth Injury/Hypoxic Brain Injury

The OB doctor’s negligence caused a delay in the baby’s birth which resulted in the baby suffering of a severe hypoxic brain injury.

$1.375 Million

Medication Overdose/Hospital Negligence

Our client died following an overdose of medication that occurred as a result of the negligence of the nursery staff while they were in the hospital.

$1.2 Million

Birth Injury/Developmental Delay

Our client suffers from a severe developmental delay following a birth injury when there were signs of fetal distress that were not responded to.

$500,000

Botched Gall Bladder Surgery

Our client suffered an injury to their common bile duct during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

$425,000

Surgical Error

A client had their bowel perforated during a ventral hernia repair.

We Never Back Down From a Fight

Featured Reviews, Testimonials & Results

"20 out of 10 stars."

There are times in your life you are so hurt and feel life has a grudge against you. Nothing in your life is going right. I lost the most important person in my life to death, of which I knew mistakes were made because I witnessed it with my own eyes. When you contact a law group you most of the time get all business and a matter of fact conversation. I want all to know that from the first phone call they listened to my lengthy story, sobbing most of the time with so much compassion. They never made any promises but offered assurances that no stone would be unturned. They fulfilled every word they said. They restored faith that I had lost. Until you are in a position like mine you can never know how invaluable Lanier Law Group is. They were wonderful while maintaining their professionalism. They treated me like a family member. They really do care about their clients. But most of all they are the best at what they do. I worked in the court system for years so I knew how attorneys and law firms basically operated. Understanding the law and it’s interpretation is the ultimate key to winning any case. Also know that if an attorney/attorneys study and review your case and know that you don’t have a chance in a court of law and are big enough to tell you that instead of giving you false hope, you then my friend have a group with valuable shared values. I have so much respect for everyone in this Law Group. I recommend Lanier Law Group, P.A. to anyone who needs representation, they are in your corner. 20 out of 10 stars.

- Diane W.

"Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members"

I started working with Lanier Law Group in 2020 on my Social Security Disability case. They from start to finish were awesome. My case manager Janet Hanks and attorney, Ashley Sappenfield were always available to answer all my questions. I did not have to do much but sit back and let them handle whatever was needed. My case took too long (2 years) and if I did not have Janet and Ashley My case would still not be approved. I would recommend Lanier to anyone to get the job done and approved. Do not go to another firm with your case, who promise the world and do not see it to completion and do not think another firms would have worked as hard as they did on my case. Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members to handle any cases of this type and other legal services they provide. They went above and beyond!

- Phillip J.

"So thankful for your expertise and professionalism"

Mrs. Gonzalez did an awesome job of explaining everything in detail and keeping me informed on the status of my case. Despite poor customer service with the insurance company, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to fix what they could not. Mrs. Gonzalez was very helpful with helping me understand things that I was not aware of when dealing with insurance claims. I am so thankful for her expertise and professionalism.

- Mario H.

"Always ready to answer any questions I may have"

The staff kept me well informed in a more than timely manner and was always ready to answer any questions I may have.

- Timothy M.

"The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service!"

The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service! My main contact was Denise.

- Malinda P.

Respect. Integrity. Passion.

Our Commitment to Our Clients

We Come Prepared

After an injury, every second counts. We are available to meet with you in person, virtually, or at your location to provide the highest quality legal counsel.

We're In Your Corner

Every case we take on has a team of dedicated professionals assigned to make sure that we're delivering the best possible service and results.

We're Here For You 24/7

Regardless of when you contact our firm, we're here to make sure that you get the answers you need. We also offer weekend appointments and consultations.

We Never Back Down

Our attorneys are confident taking cases to trial and will always seek to maximize your compensation.