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Washington Medical Malpractice Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Got a broken jaw, 22 months ago. Surgery was done poorly and now jaw is painful and does not work well. Could I sue?

I should have been transferred to different hospital, in Seattle. Waited a week for the surgery. Was later told surgery was done by an ear, nose, throat doc.

I saw an oral surgeon, who told me jaw was misaligned, and they could only fix it by breaking my jaw again.

Surgery was done... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 26, 2020

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks - but regardless, any attorney would need to review your file in greater detail, very likely with the guidance of a medical professional to make a meaningful assessment. Already having waited this long for a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Breast reduction potential malpractice inquiry

2 years ago I had a bilateral breast reduction done by a board certified surgeon. My breasts were supposed to be a size D afterwards but are now a large A or small B. Dog ears on both breasts (which I've read can be avoided with proper measurements) & horribly looking scars.

Aside... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 29, 2020

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. I'm sorry for your ordeal. It would be difficult for an attorney to answer your question as to "whether you remotely have a chance." Although your description offers details that would be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: My best friend had surgery to remove a kidney stone and the doctor ended up puncturing and almost collapsing her lung

Her description of this experience:

I went in for surgery to remove a kidney stone for the first surgery they put a pipe in the back of my hand surgery went okay for the first part for the second part they were to put a bigger pipe in my back to cut open my kidney to get under the tiny... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 30, 2020

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for three weeks. Your friend could contact a med mal attorney to discuss the matter. Most attorneys in this field generally offer free initial consults and work on a contingency basis. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: After winning a lawsuit is it normal procedure for the settlement payout to take up to two years before paid

I won a lawsuit and have already filled out noterized and sent back all paperwork to recieve my payment. However after waiting for about 3 months with no check sent to me. I called my lawyer asking where is my payment. I was told I wouldn't be receiving my payment until probably next year in... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 3, 2020

Since you have a Washington attorney already representing you on this matter, they can best advise as to the reason for the 2021 timetable. But your post remains open for three weeks. A GENERAL factor that could cause delays in payment of med mal awards is liens. That means there could be parties... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: I had a slip and fall accident, had surgery, had stitches removed...2 weeks later, found stitches STILL in leg.

Can I file suit on something like that? They didn't prescribe any kind of antibiotics...they failed to set me up with a physical therapist...foot on injured leg is turning blue and numb when not elevated...

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 19, 2020

At this point, it sounds like your medical issues could be more pressing that a legal analysis of what happened. Your post remains open for three weeks, but if you consulted with a Washington med mal attorney, it seems likely that they would set priorities on your obtaining whatever type of medical... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: I need an expert opinion. Do I have a good claim against the Purdue pharmaceutical bankruptcy.

Washington State, Snohomish County. Prescribed oxycodones for pain in my feet from 1997 till 1999. Became addicted to opiates been in and out of treatment, have multiple felony drug cases which I've done prison time for. Also had a child born with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 13, 2020

You need to do a a malpractice attorney who will review it and then have an expert review it and the expert will tell you whether it is viable or not.

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Family member was told to sign paperwork that a surgey went fine while under pain medication when it didnt.

My wife's cousin recently had his appendix taken out. During the surgery they did severe damage to his bladder. While in recovery and under the influence of pain medication a nurse heavy handedly (or forced) him to sign paperwork that essentially said everything went fine to his knowledge and... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 12, 2019

That isn't the way it works (in terms of footing a $20,000 to $100,000 price tag to "get in the door"). If a Washington med mal attorney determines that the grounds for a valid case exist, it is likely that the firm would move forward with the case on a contingency basis, which means... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury, Legal Malpractice and Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: How do I track down the attorney that settled my suit out of court?

I'm trying to apply for SSDI and the judge needs some proof of the dental malpractice to prove mercury and other toxic compounds that seeped into my system causing neurological issues today. The case information dissapeared when bank foreclosed on my home instead of the home next door in 2011... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Feb 22, 2019

As a starting point, one option could be to contact Washington Courts (https://www.courts.wa.gov/) and ask them about any case information they might maintain. There are a number of legal tools for searching state and federal databases (some of these charge fees for their use); these might be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Products Liability for Washington on
Q: What kind of lawyer would I need for 3rd party liability? Diagnoses: Leukemia after working with Benzene for 21 years.

Workers comp approved my claim, said I may have a third party lawsuit as it was proven there is a Benzene/Acute Leukemia connection and Benzene contributed on a more probable than not basis.

Due to my treatment I also suffered severe internal intestinal bleeding which lead to a perforated... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 27, 2018

A consultation with an injury lawyer who has experience with toxic tort cases could be a good place to start. These are cases involving exposure to hazardous substances.

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: What does it mean to "practice medicine w/o license"? Can I take a pulse? Blood pressure? Bandage? Pass (stroke) test

Want to know what someone can do as a first responder (first aid) can do as opposed to an EMT or Paramedic. For example, someone arrives at a scene of an accident. What can they do before the ambulance arrives?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 9, 2017

Why not volunteer with a fire department and see? Basically, a person coming on the scene should notify authorities and then act within their capabilities. Do you have 1st Aid & Advanced first Aid certification from the Red Cross? Then don't assume having seen you tube videos you can do... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Legal nurse consultant wants to attend med mal hearings in Western Washington. How do I find calendar of cases?
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 21, 2017

You would have to go to the court's trial list, look for cases against doctors or hospitals. Or you can contact attorneys that handle such cases and find out if they have any going to trial.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Hi. I caught my pediatric oral surgeon having an affair with my wife (Seattle, WA). I have damages. Can I sue?

Relationship lasted 7 months. I have lots of email that document relationship including dentist stating inappropriateness of the relationship. Some conduct occurred in the clinic. A lot of it was overnight via email and mostly an emotional affair. I think he is a predator in my community and I... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 21, 2017

Contact a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Assn--there used to be a case for alienation of affections, for such cases. You won't get everything but worth looking at.

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: I got a hemorrhoidectomy on march 4th 2016, I now have boils covering my buttocks, can i sue for damages?

Went through excrutiating pain the first 4 days after the surgery, pain i will never forget and would never wish upon anyone else. For the two weeks immediately following the surgery everything seemed to be going fine and then suddenly boils started appearing all over my buttocks and even in... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 25, 2016

Only if it can be shown that the boils were somehow caused by something the doctor did. As boils are a hair follicle infection I don't see how that would be. Get the medical treament you need, do not ask questions making it sound like you are accusing the doctor, see what people say. Contact a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: What are my rights if a doctor falsified my records to perform an inappropriate surgery?

My doctor performed a lumbar laminectomy decompression surgery on me for lower back pain. He falsified my medical records to say that I had radiating pain down my buttock and legs; he said that was my primary complaint. I had no pain anywhere except my lower back. I can prove that using the records... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 18, 2016

Contact a member of the State of Washington Assn for Justice-they give free consultations. Many don't expect the client to pay for expert fees up front.

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Do I Have a Medical Malpractice and Negligence Case.I Feel my Psychiatrist Should be Held Accountable For My Injuries.

I was Prescribed a Anti- Depression Medication - Duloxtine 60mg by My Psychiatrist That I Had A Severe Allergic Interaction with.My Psychiatrist was Very Aware of and Had a List of all thee Medication's that I took on a Daily Basis including my High Blood Pressure Medication - Lisiniprol... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 18, 2016

I think this is a duplicate post. Contact a member of the state of Washington Assn for Justice who handles malpractice issues-they give free consultations.

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Do I Have a Medical Malpractice Case Here? I Had a Severe Allergic Interaction to A Med Prescribed by my Psychiatrist

He was Aware of and had a List of all my Prescription Medication's including my High Blood Pressure Medication- Lisiniprol 20mg

Thee Medication - Duloxtine 60 mg is what my Psychiatrist Prescribed that I had thee Severe Allergic Interaction with.Any Patient Under they Care of a... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 18, 2016

Contact a member of the state of washington Trial Lawyers Assn--they give free consultations.Much will depend on what he was told about the two other reactions. If told nothing he can't be charged with knowledge (or if the information he was given carried a different diagnosis). But get the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: If Medication Prescribed causes Severe Allergic Reaction & Suffers a Brain Injury from a Fall, Is that Med Malpractice

I was Prescribed A Medication by My Psychiatrist that I Had a Severe Allergic Interaction to Where I Blacked out and Fell Down my Daughters Basement Steps and was Rushed to thee Hospital with Acute Subdural Hematoma and also Had too Additionally have 7 Staples put into my Head I Was Transferred to... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 5, 2016

I would contact a member of the State of Washington Assn for Justice that handles medical malpractice and drug manufacturer liability. They give free consultation. Get a print out from your drug store of your medications taken for the 4 months before the incident. Yes, you know them, but get the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: My Dr falsified my medical records in order to perform an inappropriate surgery.

My Doctor performed a lumbar laminectomy decompression surgery on me for lower back pain. He falsified my medical records to say that I had radiating pain down my buttock and legs, he said that was my primary complaint. I had no pain anywhere except me lower back, I can prove that using the records... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 5, 2016

All I can suggest is to check with some other attorneys who are members of the state of Washington Assn for Justice who handle medical malpractice cases.They give free consultations. Depending on what your MRI's show, op notes show, pathology report shows, if your disc was shot it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Compensation for CT scan mistake?

My doctor ordered a CT scan with contrast. The tech at the hospital failed to use contrast. I was therefore dosed with harmful radiation for no reason. What are my chances of being compensated somehow for this? Thank you.

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Sep 10, 2015

Minimal. It doesn't look like you will be able to show any real money damages, unless and until you develop a radiation-related illness. Even then, it will probably be impossible to prove the illness resulted from this particular procedure.

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: My daughter was given a combination of medications, Prozac 20 mg & Diazepam 10 mg, in January of this year. First time

seeing her primary doctor for possible anxiety/depression. My daughter lost the ability to walk, talk, at one point had complete memory loss, including her age, birthdate, where she lives, there are many things she still has problems with, her memory, she is unable to do math even the simplest of... View More

Adam Studnicki
Adam Studnicki
answered on Jul 27, 2015

Look for a medical malpractice lawyer. I don't practice in WA and don't know the deadlines there. The sooner you contact WA lawyers, the better.

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