When Your Back Is Against The Wall

Mount Pleasant Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Mount Pleasant is home to some of the Lowcountry’s most trusted medical institutions, but even the best hospitals and clinics aren’t immune to error. When a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, and that failure causes serious harm, it may rise to the level of medical malpractice.

At Lanier Law Group, we represent patients and families whose lives have been disrupted by preventable medical mistakes. These cases are never simple—and the stakes are often incredibly high. If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other provider’s negligence, our Mount Pleasant medical malpractice attorneys are here to help you seek justice.

What Is Medical Malpractice Under South Carolina Law?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the recognized standard of care, resulting in injury or death. That standard of care refers to what a competent provider in the same specialty would have reasonably done under similar circumstances.

South Carolina law requires proof of four key elements to establish a valid claim:

Duty: A medical provider-patient relationship existed.
Breach: The provider failed to uphold the standard of care.
Causation: That breach directly caused the patient’s injury.
Damages: The patient suffered measurable harm as a result.

Not every bad outcome is malpractice. But when a provider’s carelessness leads to serious, avoidable harm, the law allows you to take action. Before we talk about that, though, let’s first discuss the most common types of medical malpractice we see.

Common Types of Medical Errors

Medical malpractice takes many forms. Some of the most common cases we handle in Mount Pleasant involve the following:

Surgical Mistakes

Surgical errors are among the most severe forms of malpractice. These can include operating on the wrong body part, performing the wrong procedure, or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient. Such errors often result in additional surgeries, infections, and prolonged recovery, and in some cases, permanent disability or death.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

Failing to diagnose a serious condition like cancer, stroke, or heart disease can delay critical treatment and reduce a patient’s chance of recovery. In other cases, misdiagnosing a condition can lead to unnecessary treatment, causing harm through medication side effects or surgical risks.

Anesthesia Errors

Administering too much, too little, or the wrong type of anesthesia can have catastrophic consequences. Patients may experience brain damage, heart complications, or even die from these preventable errors. Proper monitoring and dosage calculation are essential responsibilities of anesthesiologists and surgical teams.

Medication Errors

Mistakes with prescriptions are surprisingly common. These can include providing the wrong dosage, confusing similar drug names, or failing to check for harmful drug interactions. In a hospital setting, these mistakes may stem from communication breakdowns or charting errors, putting patients at risk for severe adverse reactions.

Birth Injuries

Childbirth is a sensitive medical process that demands careful monitoring and timely intervention. Failure to respond to signs of fetal distress or delayed C-sections can result in lifelong injuries such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or hypoxic brain injury. These cases often affect both mother and child and require significant long-term care.

Emergency Room Negligence

Emergency departments are fast-paced environments where quick decisions must be made. But when providers fail to diagnose serious conditions, overlook symptoms, or discharge patients prematurely, the consequences can be life-threatening. Emergency room malpractice often involves strokes, heart attacks, and untreated infections.

Each of these situations can result in long-term health problems or even wrongful death. Our legal team works with top medical experts to investigate these errors and build a case that leaves no question about what went wrong.

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

Not Every Bad Outcome Is Malpractice—Here’s the Difference

Now that we’ve reviewed the common forms of malpractice, it’s important to distinguish what truly constitutes a claim.

It’s important to understand that not every poor medical outcome means malpractice occurred. Complications can arise even with proper care, and some conditions are simply difficult to treat.

What separates malpractice from an unavoidable outcome is negligence. Did your doctor ignore test results? Did the hospital fail to follow infection control procedures? Was the surgery performed without adequate preparation?

We carefully evaluate each case with a team of experienced medical professionals. If the harm was preventable and a provider acted outside of accepted norms, we’ll fight to hold them accountable.

Who Can Be Sued in a Medical Malpractice Case?

Once negligence is established, identifying the responsible party is the next step.

Medical malpractice liability isn’t limited to just doctors. Depending on the circumstances, a wide range of individuals and institutions may be named in a lawsuit. Below, we break down the roles of some of the most frequently named parties:

Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, and Other Specialists

Specialists who perform high-risk procedures carry a significant duty of care. When they fail to follow protocol, make preventable errors, or act without adequate preparation, they can cause catastrophic harm. Surgical and anesthesia mistakes are among the most devastating and may involve incorrect procedures, improper medication dosing, or equipment mismanagement.

Nurses and Physician Assistants

These medical professionals often serve as the first line of care in a hospital or clinic setting. They are responsible for monitoring patient status, administering medication, and providing routine treatments. When nurses or physician assistants misread charts, fail to report critical symptoms, or make dosage errors, the consequences can be severe.

Emergency Room Staff

The emergency room is a fast-paced environment where split-second decisions can mean life or death. ER staff who overlook critical symptoms, misdiagnose conditions like heart attacks or strokes, or fail to order necessary tests may be held accountable for resulting injuries or fatalities.

Radiologists and Lab Technicians

These professionals interpret diagnostic tests and provide vital information that influences a patient’s course of treatment. Errors in reading X-rays, MRIs, or lab results can lead to misdiagnoses, delayed care, or inappropriate treatment—all of which can have life-threatening consequences.

Hospitals and Urgent Care Clinics

Healthcare facilities themselves may be held liable for systemic failures such as understaffing, poor hygiene practices, lack of training, or administrative negligence. When a facility fails to implement safe policies or does not properly oversee its medical staff, it can be named in a malpractice suit.

Pharmacists and Pharmacies

Pharmacists are responsible for ensuring patients receive the correct medications in the proper dosages and with appropriate instructions. Dispensing errors, failure to catch dangerous drug interactions, or mislabeling prescriptions can all result in serious harm or death. Pharmacies, as institutions, may also share liability when such errors occur.

Each of these professionals and institutions owes a duty of care to their patients. When they fail in that duty and it leads to harm, the law provides a path for justice.

What to Do If You Suspect Medical Malpractice

If you believe you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence in Mount Pleasant, it’s important to take immediate and well-informed action. The steps you take in the early stages can have a lasting impact on your ability to pursue justice and obtain compensation.

Seek a Second Opinion

First, prioritize your health. Seek a second opinion from another qualified medical provider. This isn’t just to confirm the error but also to address any ongoing medical needs and reduce the risk of further complications. A new provider may identify treatment options that the original doctor missed, helping stabilize your condition.

Request Medical Records

Next, request a complete copy of your medical records from every provider involved in your care. These documents will serve as critical evidence. Be sure to ask for test results, doctor’s notes, prescriptions, imaging scans, and discharge summaries. If the facility resists or delays providing your records, a medical malpractice attorney can step in to assist.

Keep a Journal

Begin keeping a detailed journal. Write down symptoms, changes in your condition, the dates and nature of appointments or procedures, and any communications you have with your healthcare providers. This timeline will help support your legal case by clearly showing how your injury developed over time.

Avoid Settlements

Avoid accepting early settlement offers or signing waivers provided by the hospital or its insurance company. These documents are often designed to limit your ability to file a lawsuit. Even if the offer seems generous, it likely doesn’t reflect the true long-term costs of your injury.

Contact a Lawyer

Finally, contact an experienced Mount Pleasant medical malpractice lawyer. These cases require medical knowledge, legal strategy, and the ability to work with expert witnesses. At Lanier Law Group, we move quickly to secure evidence, consult specialists, and develop a strong case on your behalf.

South Carolina law places strict deadlines on malpractice claims, and some cases must be filed in as little as two years. Delay can jeopardize your right to compensation. The sooner we begin our investigation, the better equipped we’ll be to protect your interests and help you move forward.

What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?

Once liability is established, the next step is determining what kind of compensation you’re entitled to.

Victims of medical malpractice often face a long and costly road to recovery. South Carolina law provides several avenues for financial compensation, depending on the extent of the injuries and the circumstances of the case. These damages are typically divided into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the tangible financial losses that result from a healthcare provider’s negligence. These may include past and future medical expenses such as hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and in-home care. In many cases, patients must also account for lost income due to time away from work, as well as diminished future earning potential if the injury results in long-term or permanent disability. Costs related to medical equipment, travel for specialized treatment, and modifications to your home may also be recovered.

We work closely with financial experts and life care planners to ensure that every current and future expense is carefully documented and accurately valued. Our goal is to ensure you aren’t left struggling with bills years down the road because of someone else’s mistake.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the personal and intangible harm caused by malpractice. These may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. For many victims, the trauma of medical negligence extends beyond physical injury—it can alter relationships, limit independence, and lead to significant psychological struggles.

In some cases, victims may also seek damages for disfigurement, permanent disability, or the impact on close relationships, known as loss of consortium. Though these damages can’t be measured by receipts or invoices, their effects are deeply felt and legally recognized.

Punitive Damages

While relatively rare, punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the healthcare provider’s actions were especially reckless, intentional, or egregious. These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. For example, a hospital that knowingly covers up repeated surgical errors or a doctor who falsifies patient records may be subject to punitive damages.

Our legal team evaluates each case to determine whether the facts support a punitive award, and we pursue it aggressively when appropriate. We believe that holding providers fully accountable not only helps our clients—it improves the overall standard of care in our communities.

Why Choose Lanier Law Group for a Mount Pleasant Malpractice Case?

Since 1997, Lanier Law Group has stood up for patients across the Carolinas harmed by negligent healthcare providers. Our medical malpractice attorneys have the experience, resources, and compassion to take on hospitals, insurers, and their legal teams.

We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That means meticulous investigation, expert testimony, and strategic advocacy designed to maximize your outcome. And with our contingency fee model, you don’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation for you.

We know the path to justice is never easy—but you don’t have to walk it alone.

Suspect Medical Malpractice in Mount Pleasant? Schedule a Free Consultation Today

If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice in Mount Pleasant, don’t wait. Time is limited, and your recovery may depend on swift legal action.

Call 919-682-2111 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a Mount Pleasant medical malpractice lawyer. At Lanier Law Group, we’re ready to fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve.

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

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Mount Pleasant

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*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.

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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.

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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.

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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.