Alabama Medical Malpractice Laws
Each state has their own set of medical malpractice laws in place, and it is important for patients to understand those laws and how they could affect their case. The following are the basics of the laws in Alabama.
Alabama Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations
In Alabama, patients will need to file a claim against the medical professionals or facility they allege caused their injury within two years of the malpractice unless the cause is not found in the two-year period. In those cases, it is possible to file a claim within half a year (six months) of the discovery or of learning any relevant information that would lead to the discovery of the injury. In cases of wrongful death, claims need to be filed within two years of that death.
Contributory Negligence and Contribution
In Alabama, they utilize the “pure doctrine of contributory negligence”. This means that if the plaintiff is found to be at fault for his or her injury at all, they will not be able to receive damages in the case. Even if the patient is only 1% at fault for the injury, the courts will simply dismiss the case, leaving the patient with no recourse.
Fight Your Case With an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Sometimes, even the best physician and nurse can make reckless medical care. Have you or a loved one been a victim of medical practice? Suppose your healthcare provider has failed to give proper care, which resulted in your injuries. In that case, you may qualify to get compensation.
But filing a claim against the medical professionals or facility you believe has caused your injury in Alabama can be challenging. Let The Personal Injury Center evaluate your case for free. Contact us today, and we’ll connect you with the best medical practice attorney specializing in your case.
Vicarious Liability
In Alabama, they do not hold a hospital vicariously liable for the negligence and malpractice of doctors that are not employed by the hospital. However, it could be possible to hold those hospitals accountable under corporate liability.
Joint and Several Liability
In cases where there are two or more entities that are to blame for the patient’s injury, they are jointly and severally liable for the injury and will be included in the judgment.
Medical Experts
For the case to go forward, the plaintiff needs to have expert medical witnesses that can provide testimony to the level of skill or care that they should have been able to offer the patient. The only time that a medical expert witness is not needed is in those instances where an object was left in the patient, or when an injury occurred to an area on the body, the doctor was not treating at the time.
What Is the Damage, Cap?
While there was a damage cap passed by the Alabama Supreme Court in 1987, they declared that it was not constitutional. However, it has not been repealed, and the amount that the total damages that can be awarded is at $400,000. This includes noneconomic damages and punitive damages. The damages for wrongful death, which has also been found unconstitutional, had a $1 million limit when established in 1987 with provisions in place to increase it annually to account for inflation. The wrongful death damages in Alabama are assessed jointly and severally against all of the defendants.
Alabama has several different statutes in place for periodic payments. One that’s specific for medical malpractice requires that the jury separates the past and future damages. Payments will terminate on the death of the patient, except for lost wages. Those payments will continue for life and will be paid to a spouse as long as he or she is not married, or to minor children of the deceased.
These are the fundamental laws and rules in place for medical malpractice in Alabama. Patients who feel they have a case should always consult with their attorney to learn more about how the process will work for them.
Damage Caps in Alaska
Non-economic: $250,000.
Wrongful death or a disability considered more than 70% disabling: $400,000.