What is a medical malpractice claim worth?
A medical malpractice claim in Washington is worth the amount of damages (financial losses) that can be proven. Damages may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, or other damages related to the malpractice. The amount of damages is determined by the jury and is based on the specific circumstances of each case. In order to receive damages from a medical malpractice claim, the plaintiff must prove that a medical professional breached the standard of care, and that breach caused injury or death. A plaintiff must also be able to provide evidence that the injury affected their life, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Damages awarded in medical malpractice claims are usually divided into two categories: compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to cover economic losses and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. Punitive damages are not intended to compensate the injured party, but instead to punish the responsible party and discourage others from committing similar violations in the future. In the end, a medical malpractice claim is worth whatever amount of damages the jury decides to award. It is important to note that many medical malpractice cases are settled out of court, which means the amount of damages awarded is usually lower than what the jury would have awarded.
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