Opioids Attorney in Seattle, Washington

The negligent actions or oversight of a doctor, nurse, hospital, or healthcare professional when administering or prescribing opioids may result in medical complications, abuse, overdose, or sometimes, loss of a patient's life. In Washington, a doctor or other hospital staff may be held responsible for a patient's opioid abuse or overdose when the medical professional dispenses an inaccurate dosage or fails to prescribe opioids correctly.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice or opioid abuse due to a doctor's negligence or oversight, you may be entitled to pursue fair compensation through a medical malpractice claim. At The Law Office of Dan N. Fiorito III, I'm ready and poised to assist, guide, and represent opioid abuse victims and their families in their medical malpractice claims.

As a skilled Washington personal injury attorney, I can review and investigate all of the surrounding facts of your unique situation thoroughly and enlighten you about your possible legal options to seek damages. Using my extensive knowledge, I will fight vigorously to advocate for your legal rights and help pursue the maximum possible compensation you may be entitled to.

My firm – The Law Office of Dan N. Fiorito III – proudly serves clients across the Seattle area and all of Western Washington, including Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, and the Puget Sound region.

Understanding Opioids

Opioids are a class of drugs that function in the brain to produce various effects, including pain relief, relaxation, or a “high.” They work by blocking pain signals between the brain and the body. Opioids can include prescription medications and street drugs.

Some commonly abused or overly prescribed opioids include:

• Oxycodone, such as OxyContin

• Hydrocodone, such as Vicodin

• Dextromethorphan, such as Robitussin and NyQuil

• Fentanyl

• Heroin

• Opium

• Codeine

• Morphine 

Doctors and healthcare professionals are expected to prescribe or administer opioids responsibly to their patients to avoid opioid abuse or overdose.

Medical Malpractice and Opioids

Medical malpractice involves a situation whereby the negligent act, oversight, omission, or mistake of a physician, hospital, nurse, or any other medical professional causes an injury or health complication to a patient. Unfortunately, medical malpractice may contribute to or cause opioid abuse or opioid overdose when the doctor or hospital staff:

• Fails to prescribe opioids correctly

• Ignores or overlooks addiction signs in the patient

• Dispenses an inaccurate dosage

If you or a family member was injured by opioid abuse or has suffered an opioid overdose, you need to reach out to an experienced medical malpractice attorney immediately. Your lawyer can investigate every aspect of your unique situation and determine how to proceed with your medical malpractice claims.

Filing a Medical Malpractice Suit

Here are the steps involved in filing a medical malpractice claim in Washington:

• Visit another doctor to evaluate the magnitude of the injuries caused by medical malpractice or opioid abuse and get adequate treatment.

• Notify your insurance provider of opioid abuse or overdose.

• Draft and file your medical malpractice claim with the guidance of your lawyer.

• Attend mediation.

An experienced Washington medical malpractice lawyer can guide you through every step involved in the claims process and make sure you file your claims within the required time limit.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in Washington is three years from the date of the negligent act. This means that you must commence a civil action to recover damages within three years from the date the opioid abuse or opioid overdose occurred.

Affidavit of Merit

In Washington, an affidavit of merit by an expert is usually needed in order to bring an action against a healthcare professional. The affidavit of merit will certify that the physician or medical professional has evaluated all of the victim's medical records provided by the claimant's lawyer.

Basic Elements of a Claim

In order to establish a medical malpractice claim, the plaintiff must show that:

• There was a doctor/patient relationship.

• The doctor or medical professional was negligent, and this caused the patient's injury.

• The doctor or healthcare professional deviated from the accepted medical standard of care.

• The physician's deviation led to the victim's injuries.

• The plaintiff suffered harm, injuries, or other damages such as physical pain, missed time at work, and additional medical expenses.

A skilled attorney can fight diligently to protect your rights and help you seek the financial justice you deserve.

Damages Available

The following damages may be recovered by filing a medical malpractice claim:

Economic damages:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical treatment

• Fees from medical procedures

• Diminished earning capacity

• Missed time at work

• Loss of employment

• Property damage or loss

• Burial expenses

Non-economic damages:

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Loss of consortium

• Mental anguish

• Inconvenience

• Loss of companionship

• Disfigurement

• Reduced quality of life

A trusted personal injury attorney can evaluate every last detail of your case thoroughly and help you pursue deserve compensation for any injuries or medical complications you have suffered.

How Legal Counsel Can Help

Failure to prescribe opioids responsibly or administering inaccurate dosages can cause serious health complications to a patient. If you believe that your opioid abuse, medical condition, or injury was caused or worsened by a healthcare professional's negligence, you may hold the responsible party liable. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can advocate for your best interests and help you pursue your rightful financial compensation.

With over ten years of extensive experience, I have the diligence and resources to guide and represent clients in their medical malpractice claims. Using my in-depth understanding of the state laws addressing medical malpractice cases involving opioid abuse, I can guide you through the often-complicated process of recovering damages. Also, I will fight vigorously to protect your rights and help you seek fair financial compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other potential damages.