NATIONALLY RESPECTED PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

“We treat everybody like family.”

– Robert L. Sachs, Jr.

Managing Partner

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$8.75 Million
BIRTH TRAUMA
$8 Million
FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE
$6.5 Million
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
$5.4 Million
TRUCK WRECK
$4 Million
BIRTH INJURY
$3.3 Million
BIRTH TRAUMA
$2.9 Million
DEFECTIVE PRODUCT

Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Attorney

With nearly a century of combined experience and a reputation as one of the most successful, effective, and trusted law firms in Pennsylvania, Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco represents victims of hospital negligence across the state. A Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer is available now for a free consultation.

We have the skill and resources to help you prove that doctor, hospital, nursing staff, or other health care professional negligence caused your or a loved one’s injuries. From birth injuries to misdiagnosis, serious injuries and wrongful death, we uncover the evidence you need to recover full and fair compensation.

Contact us now to discuss your case. If you believe you may have been the victim of medical negligence in PA, we can advise you of your rights and options at no cost.

Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Attorneys on Your Side

Our Philadelphia legal team is made up of some of the nation’s most preeminent medical malpractice attorneys. We have been holding hospitals, doctors, and medical facilities in Pennsylvania accountable for decades.

Our legal advocates can help you determine:

  • If the event that caused you or a loved one harm constitutes medical malpractice
  • What evidence is needed to prove that you’ve been the victim of medical malpractice
  • How long you have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit
  • Who is liable for your injuries or a loved one’s death
  • What type of compensation you are entitled to recover
  • How much your case is worth
  • And more

Our Results Demonstrate Our Commitment to Our Clients

Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco enjoys an unparalleled reputation and unmatched record of success in large and complex medical malpractice claims and lawsuits in Pennsylvania.

But every one of our victories was earned the hard way—through a persevering, constant dedication to doing what’s best for our clients, no matter how hard we have to fight.

Just a few of the settlements and verdicts we’ve obtained for our clients include:

  • $8,750,000 settlement for a six-year-old client who suffered birth injuries that left him with a permanent disability
  • $8,000,000 settlement for a 46-year-old client whose doctor failed to diagnose her serious brain condition
  • $6,500,000 settlement (one of the largest ever recorded in Berks County) for a 21-year-old client who suffered a stroke and permanent impairment due to errors made at two major medical facilities
  • $4,000,000 settlement for a now-teenaged patient diagnosed with cerebral palsy and other conditions following severe birth injuries
  • $3,300,000 settlement for a client and his mother who suffered birth trauma after their prenatal care team failed to diagnose the mother’s health condition
  • $2,289,856 jury verdict for an infant who was diagnosed with a preventable brachial plexus injury and his family
  • $1,525,000 settlement for the family of a client whose health care providers failed to diagnose the advanced lung cancer which eventually took her life
  • $1,000,000 settlement for a young client who sustained shoulder injuries after becoming stuck in the birth canal during delivery
  • $900,000 settlement for a former emergency room nurse who was permanently injured during a spinal accessory nerve biopsy
  • $650,000 settlement for the family of a client who lost her life after her doctor failed to diagnose pneumonia
  • $400,000 settlement for a client who sustained permanent injuries after a medical professional committed a serious spinal cord injection error
  • $320,000 verdict for a child diagnosed with brachial plexus birth injury and her parents
  • $200,000 settlement for a client who fell and fractured her hip after her prescribed medications caused her to lose consciousness at home
  • A confidential seven-figure settlement for a client who lost the use of her arm after an improper epidural spinal injection
  • A confidential six-figure settlement for the family of a 50-year-old man who died as a result of a severe allergic reaction to a prescribed drug

Types of Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle

We have over 80 combined years of experience fighting against hospitals, health insurance companies, and other major corporations that take advantage of their power and abuse the rights of patients.

In every medical malpractice case we handle, we dedicate every ounce of our efforts to making a better, safer health care environment for all of us.

Medical malpractice is one of the most difficult areas of the law. That’s why we’ve never stopped working, learning, and growing. All of us at Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco are committed to being the best advocates we can be for our clients.

If you’re not sure who to turn to after a hospital or physician hurts you or a loved one, you’ve come to the right place. We take the cases other law firms think they can’t win.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice Claims

It doesn’t seem possible that medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the United States. But it’s estimated that more than 250,000 patients lose their lives every year due to preventable medical mistakes—making health care negligence more deadly to people in the U.S. than everything else except cancer and heart disease.

There are an unlimited number of situations that could lead to medical malpractice. But there are several types of medical malpractice claims that are the most common.

Even if your specific injury event is not listed above, we encourage you to reach out to Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco for a free case consultation.

Our expertise extends beyond the most common types of medical malpractice to more specific and nuanced instances of health care negligence. If we don’t believe we are the right law firm to handle your case, we have the resources to recommend you to an attorney more suited to your legal needs.

How Much is it to Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Philadelphia?

We can’t speak for other law firms, only our own. Each law office has its own payment policy.

Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco offers 100% free consultations. And we take cases on a contingency fee basis. This payment structure means you typically pay nothing upfront. Our attorney’s fees come out as a percentage of your total amount recovered. This percentage will be mutually agreed upon before we take your case.

Philadelphia Statute of Limitations

A common question many injured patients ask is: How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim?

It’s a good question. You don’t have an unlimited amount of time to pursue a lawsuit against a negligent party. In Philadelphia and elsewhere in Pennsylvania, a law called a statute of limitations sets the amount of time you have to take legal action. So in our state, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice case is two years.

Failure to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations is equivalent to waiving your right to recover compensation. If you miss the deadline, you won’t have another opportunity to seek damages. No matter how much your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses put you into debt in the future, you won’t get a second chance to change your mind about financial recovery.

That’s why it’s so important to equip yourself with the information to make the right decision right away.

Meeting with a medical malpractice attorney sooner rather than later gives you the opportunity to:

  • Assess your legal rights and options while you still have time to make your own decisions
  • Gather important evidence to support your case while it is still available
  • Act before the hospital, physician, or other medical provider has time to erase evidence and cover their tracks
  • Interview key witnesses while the event is still clear in their memory
  • Begin building a strong case with ample time to investigate and research

Exceptions to the Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations

While two years is the general statute of limitations for Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawsuits, there are exceptions.

Medical malpractice cases are more complex than many other types of personal injury cases. As such, there may be a number of circumstances that alter the amount of time allowed to file legal action. These include:

  • The discovery rule. The two-year statute of limitations typically begins from the date the injured party discovers (or should reasonably have discovered) the injury. But in some cases, the injury isn’t discovered until years later.
  • Injuries to minors. If a patient is injured under the age of 18, their two-year statute of limitations doesn’t begin until their 18th
  • Wrongful death cases. Pennsylvania law gives surviving family members two years to file a claim on behalf of the deceased individual. However, issues related to the discovery rule may alter that time frame if it isn’t immediately known that the decedent’s cause of death was a preventable medical mistake.

Compensation in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Survivors and family members of victims of medical negligence have the right to recover compensation for economic and noneconomic losses associated with the injury. These are called compensatory damages because they compensate (make up for) what was taken from the victim.

Damages in a medical malpractice case can vary but often include past and future medical bills, lost income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more.

Recovery Limits in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Some states put caps or limits on how much plaintiffs can recover in medical malpractice cases.

In Pennsylvania, there are no caps on compensatory damages. However, there are limits on punitive damages.

Punitive damages are separate from the compensatory damages mentioned above. This is a financial punishment levied by the court. The purpose of punitive damages is not to compensate the plaintiff. The purpose is to prevent the defendant (and others) from acting in a similar manner again in the future.

According to state law, a health care provider’s “willful or wanton conduct or reckless indifference to the rights of others” may be cause for punitive damages.

Except in cases involving intentional misconduct, punitive damages in Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases are capped at twice the amount of compensatory damages awarded.

Whether punitive damages apply or not, you need to work with one of the best medical malpractice attorneys in Philadelphia—someone who has the skill and experience to understand, interpret, and exercise all applicable state and federal laws so you have the best chance for maximum financial recovery.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Answer Your FAQs

During your free case consultation, we will answer any and all questions you have related to your medical malpractice case. In the meantime, we’ve prepared the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about filing a Philadelphia medical negligence lawsuit.

Can I sue a doctor for medical malpractice in PA?

Yes, Pennsylvania law allows injured patients to file a lawsuit against a health care professional whose negligence caused them harm. However, there are certain criteria your case must meet in order for you to proceed with legal action. Not all mistakes amount to medical malpractice.

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

The first step is to meet with a Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer who can evaluate your case.

An experienced legal representative can tell you if your situation meets the criteria for a PA malpractice lawsuit, including the existence of a doctor-patient relationship, breach of duty, deviation from the medical standard of care, and provable losses.

Can I file a medical malpractice lawsuit if I signed a consent form?

Yes. Signing a consent form does not erase your right to file a lawsuit against a negligent medical professional. Consenting to receive treatment just means you expect the provider to deliver reasonable care—not deviate from that reasonable standard and harm you.

In fact, if a medical professional failed to obtain your consent for a medical procedure, that may be a violation of your patient rights.

Who can be liable for medical malpractice?

A variety of health care professionals and organizations can be named as defendants in a medical malpractice claim, including:

  • Hospitals
  • Private medical practices
  • Doctors/ physicians
  • Nurses
  • Radiologists
  • Surgeons
  • Technicians
  • Dentists
  • Pharmacists
  • Physical therapists
  • Mental health professionals
  • Specialists
  • Pediatricians
  • Medical clinics
  • Chiropractors
  • And more

Can a lawsuit be against more than one party for the same injury?

Yes. In Pennsylvania, there may be more than one party liable for the same injury. For example, we’ve helped clients file suit against both an individual physician and the medical facility that employed them. We can help you determine each and every at-fault entity in your case.

Why do medical mistakes happen?

There’s never an excuse for a medical mistake. But there are common factors we often see connected to an increase in medical errors and negligence. These include:

  • Understaffing
  • Poor communication
  • Overworked staff
  • Lack of proper record keeping
  • Staff fatigue
  • Lack of administrative oversight
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Insufficient staff training

Will my case have to go to court?

It depends. Many cases reach an out-of-court settlement before trial. But if that is not possible—usually because a hospital’s insurance company refuses to provide fair compensation—our experienced trial lawyers are prepared to litigate your case in front of a judge and jury.

How much can you sue for medical malpractice in PA?

How much your case is worth depends on how much you lost.

With the right lawyer, you have the best chance of recovering the full value of your losses, both economic (like medical bills and lost wages) and noneconomic (like pain and suffering). Pennsylvania does not set a limit on the amount you can recover in economic and noneconomic losses.

If a court awards you punitive damages, the amount cannot exceed more than 200% of your compensatory damages (economic and noneconomic).

How long does a medical malpractice case take?

We can only answer this question on a case-by-case basis. Timeframes vary widely. It may be a few months to a year or more. The sooner you speak with an attorney to begin building your case, the better.

Why do so many attorneys turn down medical malpractice cases?

Medical malpractice cases are extremely challenging and often time-consuming. They require a level of expertise, resources, and relationships that many law firms don’t have.

At Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, we are honest with our clients from the very first meeting. If we believe you have a case, we’ll work tirelessly to win it for you. We’ll let you know what obstacles we anticipate and how we’ll overcome them. If we don’t think you have a case, we’ll be straightforward about why.

Do I need a medical malpractice lawyer to sue a doctor?

There is no law requiring you to hire an attorney. However, keep in mind that it is nearly impossible to win a medical malpractice case without legal representation. You will be going up against a health care facility, a major insurance company, and a team of legal experts paid to protect the company’s assets.

I think my injuries were caused by malpractice, but I’m not sure. What should I do?

As soon as you can, schedule a free consultation with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. It’s best to act quickly so evidence is available and the statute of limitations does not lapse. It’s not your responsibility to investigate the hospital—that’s the job of your legal team.

It’s also wise to begin gathering evidence that’s available to you now, such as photos of your injuries and a journal documenting your experiences. Bring these to your attorney when you meet for a case evaluation.

Why Choose Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco?

Founded in 1978, Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco has the kind of locally grounded, nationally recognized experience you need for a complex Philadelphia medical malpractice case.

We are known as go-to experts in the field of health care negligence litigation. We’re referred to as “The Philadelphia Law Firm”—because our peer attorneys across the nation contact us when they need a team of top-rated medical malpractice lawyers who deliver results.

Our lawyers are highly awarded, having received numerous recognitions, including mentions in the list of Best Lawyers in America and an AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®. But more than our accolades, we take pride in what our clients say about us.

Because at the end of the day, our clients are what matter most.

A Client-First Focus With a Reputation of Excellence

We strive to provide compassionate, supportive legal guidance when you need it most.

Being injured by the medical professional you entrust with your very life is one of the most difficult things you can endure. We understand the physical and emotional pain that comes with being hurt by your health care provider.

You will never be doubted, ignored, or swept aside at Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco. You are more than just a case to us. We want you and your family to have the peace, justice, and security that is your legal and human right. Come tell us your story, and we’ll see what we can do to help make things right again.

Never Pay To Learn Your Legal Rights—Talk to a Trusted Legal Advocate for Free

Some of the best medical malpractice lawyers in the nation are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We’re here to protect the people of our great city.

If you were injured at a medical facility in Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, Berks, Philadelphia, or Delaware Counties—or elsewhere in Southeast or other regions of Pennsylvania—call or fill out our convenient online form.

We’ll help you set up a risk-free consultation with one of our Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers. This is a no-risk, free, and confidential meeting with a real attorney.

Awards & Recognitions

American Association for Justice
AV Rated Preeminent
AVVO Rated