Surgical Error Lawyers in Reading, PA
Representing Surgical Negligence Victims Throughout Pennsylvania
Since 1959, Liever, Hyman & Potter has represented wrongful injury victims and their families. Our four attorneys handle only wrongful injury and death claims: no real estate closings, no business contracts, no divided attention. Virtually all of their combined 115-plus years of practice have been devoted to that single purpose. If you suspect a surgical error caused serious harm to you or someone you love, we want to hear from you.
Surgical errors are among the most devastating categories of medical malpractice claims in Pennsylvania. Victims face hospital legal teams, institutional insurance carriers, and defense attorneys whose full-time job is minimizing recovery. Experienced representation levels that playing field.
Call Liever, Hyman & Potter today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. An experienced attorney may be immediately available to discuss your surgical error claim. There is no fee, and no repayment of any expenses we advance, unless we recover money for you. Call (610) 885-1991.
Up to 50% of Surgical Errors Could Have Been Avoided
Research indicates that up to 50% of surgical problems could have been avoided. These mistakes include:
- Pre-operative negligence
- Misreading medical records or charts
- Medication overdoses
- Anesthesia errors, including allergic reactions, overdoses, or failure to monitor the patient
- Incorrect incisions
- Surgery on the wrong body part
- Perforated or punctured organs
- Unnecessarily delayed or prolonged surgery
- Wrongful death
- Failure to diagnose and/or treat post-operative infections
Mistakes like these can occur during any type of surgery, but they’re especially prevalent in childbirth, laparoscopic intestinal procedures, and thoracic or cardiothoracic surgery. Common injuries resulting from surgical negligence include paralysis, spinal and brain injuries, unnecessary amputation, and retained surgical instruments (sponges, scalpels, or other tools left inside a patient after a procedure closes).
Proving Surgical Negligence in Pennsylvania
Establishing a surgical malpractice claim in Reading, PA, involves more than showing something went wrong during a procedure. A plaintiff must prove four elements: a provider-patient relationship existed, the provider deviated from the accepted standard of care (the level of skill and treatment that a reasonably competent medical professional would have provided under the same circumstances), that deviation directly caused the injury, and that the patient suffered real damages as a result. Defense counsel in surgical malpractice cases routinely challenge both the standard of care and causation, which is why preparation and qualified expert testimony are critical.
Pennsylvania also imposes specific procedural requirements on medical malpractice plaintiffs. Under Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3, a Certificate of Merit must be filed with or within 60 days of the complaint. This certificate requires a qualified licensed professional to affirm that there’s a reasonable probability the provider’s conduct fell below accepted professional standards and caused harm. Failure to file can result in dismissal of the case. Most surgical error claims are also subject to Pennsylvania’s two-year statute of limitations under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2), though the discovery rule may extend this deadline when the harm wasn’t immediately apparent.
Our attorneys work with leading medical experts to prove that a hospital or doctor should be held accountable for their mistakes. We build cases to show that medical errors were made even when no witnesses are willing to come forward.
A Documented Record of Results for Wrongful Injury Victims
When you hire Liever, Hyman & Potter, you’re retaining a firm whose track record is documented and verifiable. In a recent three-year period alone, our attorneys recovered more than 500 awards and settlements, including numerous million-dollar and multi-million-dollar results. Since our founding in 1959, we’ve won thousands of awards and settlements for victims and their families: more than any other firm located in the Berks and Schuylkill County area.
Our published results include a $12.75 million settlement for failure to diagnose brain disease and a $6.5 million settlement for a teenage client who suffered a brain bleed resulting in hemiplegia. You can review additional medical malpractice results on our doctor, hospital, and surgery errors awards and settlements page.
The broader legal community knows our record. Liever, Hyman & Potter is recognized as “The Lawyers’ Lawyers”: a significant portion of our clients come to us through referrals from other law firms, satisfied former clients, and community members who know what we’ve achieved.
No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
If you or a loved one has been a victim of surgical negligence, call our trial lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter for a free consultation. You’ll have many questions about how a surgical error case in Reading or anywhere else in Pennsylvania is investigated and handled. We can explain the process, outline your options, and be straight with you about what your case involves.
Our attorneys fight hard against insurance companies and the lawyers who represent hospitals and doctors when medical errors result in wrongful death or medical malpractice.
Call (610) 885-1991 today to talk with an attorney about your surgical error case.
What Our Clients Say
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Working with Liever, Hyman & Potter Law Firm was an excellent experience from start to finish.Christie
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Andrew Fick and his team helped me with everything I needed in pursuing a personal injury case.Carlos A.
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I would highly recommend Liever, Hyman & Potter.Vanessa S.
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Andy Fick and his Liever, Hyman & Potter team fought hard for me.David D.
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He is a well-spoken and passionate attorney who actually cares about his clients.jeffrey r.
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He has always been responsive and professional, taking the time to review my issues.Howard J.
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Not only are the attorneys at this firm dedicated in obtaining successful results, more importantly, they also care about the personal well-being and health of their clients.Kevin B.
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Attorney John Badal represented me and did an outstanding job. The firm is very honest and upfront and does not blow smoke.Roxanne M.
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John went above and beyond to help me.Sean B.
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Between Stacey (paralegal) and Mike, they kept me up to date with emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings; making the entire process seamless.Blayne H.
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Andy gets the job done; he went above and beyond, exceeding my expectations.Nancy K.
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Everyone was thorough, professional, and supportive.Wendy B.
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My friend was impressed by the firm's compassion and genuine concern for his son's well-being.SARA P.
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The professionals of Liever, Hyman & Potter have a robust team of professionals who vigorously and diligently advocate.Adam N.
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Contacted me back very quickly, very professional.P N.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?
The legal world is a complicated environment with countless nuances to take into account. As a result, there is a wide range of specialized attorneys dedicated to specific legal areas, such as criminal lawyers who handle criminal defense. With so many fields, it can be difficult to determine which kind of lawyer is best suited for your circumstances. If you call Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C. and offer an overview of your situation, then they can help narrow down what kind of personal injury lawyer is best suited to handle your case. Our law firm was founded in 1959 and is knowledgeable in numerous areas of personal injury law.
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Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After sustaining a severe injury, you will need to pay medical bills for treatment, potentially miss time at work, and experience pain and suffering. With a qualified and skilled lawyer’s assistance, it is possible for you to receive fair and full compensation for these damages. A knowledgeable attorney will increase your chances of reaching an acceptable settlement agreement and receiving more compensation than you would on your own. Additionally, personal injury lawyers can help settle a liability dispute to determine who is responsible for an accident.
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How Will I Know I Have a Case?
No one has to make this important decision by themselves. Contact Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., and set up a free consultation to go over your situation in detail. Our attorneys will be able to identify who you can sue and what you can expect to gain based on the facts of the accident and the laws in Pennsylvania. In most scenarios, you’ll have a case if it can be proven that someone acted carelessly and caused injuries. Applying this standard is more complex than it may initially appear, which is why it is important to consult us.
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When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you’ve sustained severe injuries in a car accident, you should reach out to a lawyer shortly after the crash takes place. Not only will a professional car accident attorney help you gather vital evidence before it is lost to help your case, but they can also handle communications with your insurance company and deal with the careless driver’s insurance company.
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What Should I Do if an Attorney or Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
You should never speak with insurance adjusters for someone else involved in the accident. While they may sound friendly and sympathetic to your case, they are almost certainly trying to get statements from you that would reduce or eliminate the liability of their insured. This is also true when an attorney for another person contacts you.
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How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
As previously mentioned, filing a medical malpractice lawsuit starts with contacting a lawyer. However, it is crucial that we have sufficient information before filing the claim because malpractice claims can be significantly more complicated than other lawsuits. Our dedicated attorneys will collect all of your medical records and thoroughly review them.
Your medical malpractice attorney must determine whether the case warrants a lawsuit before they file with the court. If we do go forward, we will rely on highly qualified doctors who will be able to explain why you or your loved one were wrongfully harmed by medical treatment.