Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when patients are harmed by the actions (or inaction) of doctors and other healthcare professionals. Common types of cases in this area of law include childbirth injuries, medical misdiagnosis, surgery errors, and hospital-related infections. Learn about common types of medical malpractice and legal issues like informed consent, medical negligence, and damage caps in medical malpractice cases.
If you're harmed by sub-standard medical care, you might have a valid claim for medical malpractice.
A look at what you must prove to win a medical malpractice case, common treatment errors, when you can sue a hospital for malpractice, and more.
Tips and resources when you're considering a certain physician or health care facility.
Here's what both sides of a medical malpractice case need to know about the role of insurance coverage.
What happens when a medical malpractice claim is made after the health care provider's insurance coverage has expired?
Thinking about a medical malpractice lawsuit? We'll help you decide whether it makes sense and if it does, we outline the basic steps involved in filing.
How are "pain and suffering" damages defined, and how are they calculated?
Medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within a certain amount of time after the patient's injury, but when does the clock start ticking?
What kinds of health care mistakes are behind most medical malpractice lawsuits?
When a doctor or hospital sends you home before it's medically safe to do so, that decision could be medical negligence.
Hospitals can be liable for their employees' medical negligence, but doctors often aren’t hospital employees.
An in-depth look at state laws limiting compensation for medical malpractice plaintiffs.
It's crucial for injured patients to understand and comply with California's statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits.
in Florida, you must file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years of the date on which the harm resulting from the malpractice was -- or should reasonably have been – discovered.
A look at the "affidavit of expert" requirement for Georgia medical malpractice lawsuits, the lawsuit-filing deadline, and the state's cap on damages.
If you're filing an Illinois medical malpractice lawsuit, understand the statute of limitations and the "affidavit of merit" requirement for these kinds of cases.
Understand New York's statutory time limit on a patient's right to sue a doctor or other health care provider.
If you're filing an Ohio medical malpractice lawsuit, understand the Affidavit of Merit requirement and other state laws that could have a big impact on your case.
Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo
Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.
Online Form
Accident Claim Worksheet
Online Form
Demand Letter
Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.
More Legal Issues
Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.
Corporations Car Accidents Criminal Law Debt Management Disability Law Divorce & Family Law
Learn About Our Team
Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.
Need a Lawyer? We Can Help
Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.
Describe Your Case
Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.
Get Connected
We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.
Hire an Attorney
Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.
Nolo Legal Dictionary
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Are You an Attorney?
Grow your firm with Martindale-Nolo, the largest legal network, and learn more about our attorney lead-generation and marketing services.
Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Copyright ©2025 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Consumer Health Data Notice.
Your Privacy Choices