Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney
Medical Malpractice
The insurance industry in Illinois and elsewhere has successfully spent millions of dollars on television and in the halls of Congress and state assemblies to demonize any patient or attorney who has the "nerve" to bring a lawsuit against a medical provider for real injuries, including even death, as a result of a physician's incompetence or carelessness. To the insurance industry, these people are mere nuisances to our society— they stand in the way of profit--and they must be silenced and mocked as opportunists and "cry babies." Unfortunately, many in our society have been all too willing to accept the insurance industry myth as true; that is, until their own child, or spouse, or parent is taken from them because the physician did not care and did not use reasonable care with their loved one. The efforts on the part of the insurance and medical industries will not stop until they are successful in removing completely a physician's legal accountability in a court of law for providing competent medical care to patients. At Friedman & Bonebrake, we are proud to fight for the rights of both our clients and citizens generally to hold their doctors accountable. It is a battle that must be fought every day in and out of court in a climate that constantly chips away at legal protections for medical consumers, especially those who are most vulnerable (such as children and the elderly) because they have no money and therefore no voice absent the court system
In fact, the insurance and medical industries have repeatedly misinformed the public to scare them into believing that the filing of large numbers of “frivolous” medical malpractice lawsuits have caused medical malpractice insurance premiums for doctors in Illinois to skyrocket, forcing physicians to leave the state. They have then used this fear to pressure the state legislature and the governor into passing laws designed to prevent all patients—even those who admittedly have legitimate claims of malpractice-- from receiving full compensation, through placement of “caps” or limits on recovery. Worst of all, they have sought to make those who bring legitimate claims feel as though they are part of the problem in our society, not part of the solution.
In response to insurance industry claims, in 2005 the Illinois State Bar Association, a voluntary organization that provides education and services to the public and is composed of attorneys representing both corporate and consumer interests, commissioned an independent study by a distinguished law professor from Duke University in Durham North Carolina, Neil Vidmar, PhD., to evaluate whether the claims made by the insurance and medical industry were true. To the contrary, Dr. Vidmar found in his exhaustive study that the number of doctors in Illinois had increased between 1993 and 2003, not decreased (including in areas of practice that are claimed to be hardest hit by malpractice suits, obstetrics/gynecology and neurosurgery). He found that insurance premiums had indeed risen for doctors, but not because of an increased number of malpractice suits or increased payouts on successful suits. Dr. Vidmar found that the insurance industry’s claims were completely unsupported after close scrutiny of actual data. The entire Duke report is available for review online
Here.
Doctors and hospitals save lives and improve the quality of life for thousands of people every day. At Friedman & Bonebrake, we interact daily with skilled medical professionals and we know and believe that the profession is entitled to great respect. This is why we do not file unjustified or "frivolous" lawsuits: we evaluate each potential case carefully with our clients and with medical experts to make sure truly negligent conduct has caused significant harm before filing suit.
However, we also believe strongly that doctors (just like lawyers or other professionals) must be accountable to their patients for their actions. Contrary to what many of us were taught by our childhood doctors or even our parents, it is not wrong to question your doctor. In fact, it is the only responsible thing to do, both for the sake of the health of your family and of your community as a whole. Good doctors invite questions; bad ones do not.
To ensure accountability, Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C., handles medical malpractice cases involving:
The medical malpractice laws in Illinois are very complex and are a unique mixture of medicine and law. Many of the laws have been created exclusively for the benefit of the insurance industry and medical providers, not for the benefit of patients. Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. knows how to even the playing field. Friedman & Bonebrake thoroughly understands these laws and has the experience and expertise to serve as advocates for patients who are injured by negligent health care providers.
In order to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice in Illinois, all cases must first be reviewed by a medical expert who agrees after a record review to write a report stating that the plaintiff has a meritorious claim. The attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. have a network of respected and credentialed doctors in all disciplines of medicine throughout the country to assist in the evaluation and presentation of medical malpractice cases.
Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. has won verdicts in medical malpractice cases up to 3.5 million dollars and settlements for millions more.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to medical malpractice, turn to the Chicago medical malpractice lawyers to allow our resources, concern, and know-how to work for you.
To schedule your free initial consultation,
contact the
Chicago medical malpractice attorneys by calling 312-466-8200 to discuss your claim.