State College Medical Malpractice Attorney

Legal Help For Serious Medical Injuries In Pennsylvania

When medical care goes wrong, the consequences can be life-changing. A missed diagnosis, a surgical mistake, or a medication error can leave you or someone you love facing new health problems, more procedures, and mounting bills that you never expected to face. It can be hard to know whether what happened was an unavoidable complication or something that could have and should have been prevented.

At Friday & Cox LLC, we help patients and families across western Pennsylvania who have been seriously harmed by preventable medical errors. If you believe a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other provider failed to meet accepted standards of care, our team is here to listen, explain your options, and work with you on a plan forward. You do not have to sort through complex medical records and insurance paperwork on your own.

Our State College medical malpractice attorneys bring together more than 100 years of combined experience representing people after catastrophic injuries, including medical malpractice and birth injury cases. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you don't pay any attorney fees unless we obtain a financial recovery for you. From the very first conversation, our goal is to provide you with clear information and genuine support during a time of uncertainty.

Contact us today at (412) 900-8250 to schedule a free consultation.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, causing injury or death to a patient. Not every poor medical outcome qualifies as malpractice. To have a valid claim, it must generally be proven that:

1. A provider-patient relationship existed
2. The provider failed to meet the accepted medical standard of care
3. That failure directly caused injury or harm
4. The patient suffered measurable damages as a result

Our State College medical malpractice lawyer can evaluate your situation, consult with qualified medical experts, and determine whether negligence played a role in your injuries.

Common Forms of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice can occur in nearly any healthcare setting, from hospitals and emergency rooms to outpatient clinics and nursing homes. Some of the most common types of malpractice cases we handle include:

• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Failure to correctly diagnose a condition—or diagnosing it too late—can prevent patients from receiving timely treatment. Conditions such as cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and infections are frequently involved in misdiagnosis claims.
• Surgical Errors: Surgical mistakes may include operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, anesthesia errors, or performing an unnecessary procedure.
• Medication Errors: Medication mistakes can happen at any stage, including prescribing the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, pharmacy errors, or failure to consider dangerous drug interactions.
• Birth Injuries: Negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery can result in serious injuries to both mother and child, including cerebral palsy, brain injuries, or brachial plexus injuries.
• Hospital and Nursing Negligence: Hospitals may be liable for inadequate staffing, unsanitary conditions, failure to monitor patients, or negligent hiring and supervision of medical staff.

Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Laws

Medical malpractice claims in Pennsylvania are governed by specific statutes and procedural requirements that make these cases particularly challenging.

Statute of Limitations

In most cases, Pennsylvania law requires medical malpractice claims to be filed within two years of the date of injury. In some situations, such as when the injury was not immediately discoverable, exceptions may apply. Claims involving minors may also have extended deadlines.

Certificate of Merit

Pennsylvania requires plaintiffs to file a Certificate of Merit, which confirms that a qualified medical expert has reviewed the case and believes the claim has merit. Failure to file this document can result in dismissal of the case.

Comparative Negligence

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If a patient is found to be more than 50% at fault, they cannot recover damages. Otherwise, compensation may be reduced by the patient’s percentage of fault.

Our State College medical malpractice attorney ensures that all legal requirements are met and deadlines are protected.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Medical malpractice claims may involve multiple parties, depending on the circumstances. Potentially liable parties include:

• Physicians and surgeons
• Nurses and nurse practitioners
• Hospitals and medical centers
• Clinics and urgent care facilities
• Anesthesiologists
• Pharmacists and pharmacies
• Nursing homes and long-term care facilities

Hospitals may also be held vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees. Determining liability often requires thorough investigation and expert analysis.

Compensation Available to Injured Patients

Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:

Economic Damages

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Costs of long-term or in-home care

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

In cases involving wrongful death, surviving family members may also pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

Medical Malpractice FAQs

How do I know if I have a medical malpractice case?

If you were harmed after receiving medical treatment and believe the provider made a preventable mistake, you may have a claim. A State College medical malpractice lawyer can review your case and explain your legal options.

Is medical malpractice hard to prove?

Yes. These cases often require expert testimony and extensive evidence. That is why it is important to work with an attorney experienced in Pennsylvania medical malpractice law.

How long does a medical malpractice case take?

The timeline varies. Some cases resolve in months, while others may take several years, especially if they go to trial.

Can I sue a hospital in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Hospitals can be held liable for their own negligence or for the actions of their employees, such as nurses and staff physicians.

What does it cost to hire a medical malpractice lawyer?

Most medical malpractice cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless compensation is recovered.

Why Patients Turn To Our Firm After Medical Negligence

When you are considering a claim for medical negligence, choosing the right legal team matters. These cases are complex, heavily defended, and emotionally difficult for patients and families. We understand that you are not only looking for a lawyer, you are looking for someone who will stand beside you while you take on a hospital, clinic, or physician group that may feel untouchable.

Our firm was built on a simple principle. We work every angle available to pursue what our clients deserve after preventable injuries. Instead of telling you what to do and expecting you to follow along, we partner with you, explain your choices in straightforward language, and respect your goals at every stage of the case. To our clients, we aim to be calm, steady counselors who make the legal process as manageable as possible. To the other side, we are determined advocates who prepare cases as if they may go to trial.

Many injury firms are quick to encourage settlement to avoid the time and effort that a trial can require. At Friday & Cox LLC, we are committed to taking cases to court when that is what it takes to pursue a fair outcome. Insurance companies and defense firms know that we are not a practice that backs down easily, and that reputation can influence how they view settlement discussions. Combined with our promise to return urgent inquiries around the clock and keep you informed, this dual approach helps many clients feel both protected and heard while their case moves forward.

To talk with an attorney about a potential medical malpractice lawsuit and learn how we can help, call (412) 900-8250 or contact us online today.