Flaherty Fardo, LLC
5541 Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Phone: 412.802.6666 | Fax: 412.802.6667
T.F.: 1.877.pgh.firm | info@pghfirm.com
Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice
Pittsburgh Medical
Malpractice Lawyers
The Medical Malpractice Lawyers of Flaherty Fardo, LLC
Flaherty Fardo, LLC are experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers.
No fee unless recovery is made
412.802.6666
Call for a free consultation
- What is Pennsylvania medical malpractice?
- What is the Statute of Limitations?
- How do I know if I have a case?
- What should I do after a mistake has happened?
- How do I get the medical records?
- Should I go back to the same Doctor?
- How do I find the right medical malpractice lawyer?
- Will you review my case for free?
- What is your fee?
- What is the standard contingency fee agreement?
- Do you try to settle before filing suit?
- How long will my case take?
- Do I have to go to trial?
- Do I have to pay any costs?
- How much is my case worth?
- What is the “Certificate of Merit”?
- What is your past experience?
- Do you have access to physicians for review?
- Why Should I choose Flaherty Fardo?
- What do your past malpractice Clients have to say?
What is Pennsylvania medical malpractice?
Medical Malpractice is the deviation from the ‘acceptable standard of care’.
The STANDARD OF CARE is the degree of caution or skill of which we expect and require from healthcare providers in our community.
A physician must have the same knowledge and skill and use the same care normally used in the medical profession. A physician whose conduct does not meet this professional standard of care is negligent and should be held responsible.
Free Consultations | 412.802.6666
Medical Malpractice is based upon holding doctors or healthcare providers responsible when the standard of care is breached.
The STANDARD OF CARE is a subjective standard. Therefore, doctors can often disagree about what is expected in providing medical treatment.
Malpractice is believed to be the third leading cause of death in the United States behind heart disease and cancer, according to an article in the Journal of American Medical Association.
Individuals in Pennsylvania are entitled to compensation when a physician’s negligence causes their injury.
Compensation for medical malpractice includes monetary recovery for:
- past and future pain & suffering,
- medical expenses,
- lost wages,
- earning capacity,
- embarrassment,
- humiliation,
- disfigurement, and
- loss of enjoyment of life.
Our firm routinely reviews a wide variety of medical malpractice cases including surgical errors, hospital mistakes, misdiagnoses, plastic surgery errors, and lack of informed consent cases. If you have any questions, please call us at 412.802.6666 and speak to an attorney directly.
What is the Statute of Limitations?
The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania is two (2) years from the date of the harm suffered. There can be a tolling (or extension) of the statute of limitations of two years in specific cases where the party was unaware of the negligence or harm suffered until a later date.
Example : If a patient undergoes a knee surgery, and the doctor operates on the wrong knee, then the statute of limitations would most likely be two (2) years from the date of the surgery, since the patient should have known of the mistake on the day the surgery occurred.
However, if the doctor’s error was not discovered until a later date (even years later), then the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the patient knew, had reason to know or should have known of the alleged malpractice and the injury.
How do I know if I have a case?
Bad outcomes do not always mean a person has a lawsuit. A mistake by a doctor does not always mean that there is a case.
In Pennsylvania, injured persons have a medical malpractice case if and only if they can satisfy three elements.
- There was a deviation from the acceptable standard of care AND another doctor in the same field verifies the deviation in writing.
- The deviation directly CAUSED harm to the patient.
- The patient was injured.
It is not always possible to know whether a medical malpractice case exists until the records are obtained and reviewed both by the lawyers and doctors.
However, common sense will often dictate to people whether a medical error happened and it is very important to know what to do if you are suspicious as to whether malpractice occurred or not.
What should I do after a mistake has happened?
If you think a mistake has happened based on the actions of a doctor or hospital, you need to do 3 important things.
- You need to ask the doctors and administrators what happened. This can be an effective tool in gathering information and often doctors will be more honest immediately upon the event happening than they will be later. Ask direct questions and take notes.
- You need to request the medical records as soon as is practical. Medical records can be changed or omitted. If you believe an error occurred, you are always better off requesting the records immediately at the hospital or at the doctor’s office if possible.
- You need to consult a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. The days following a medical mistake are crucial in gathering and preserving evidence. As the memories of a witness may fade, and medical records may get misplaced, it is important start investigating what happened as soon as possible after the event.
How do I get the Medical Records?
Obtaining your own medical records should be easy. It is not. Doctors and hospitals often have excuses of why they are unable to timely forward copies of patients medical records.
Depending upon the facility, it is always better to try to obtain copies of the medical records at the time of treatment. Speak directly to the office manager or to the medical billing unit at the hospital.
You will need to complete a HIPPA compliant medical record release authorization if you would like your attorney to request these records on your behalf.
Many of the medical facilities in Pennsylvania do have standard medical record requests available online. These forms can be filled in by either the patient or the representative and sent directly to the provider. The links to these request forms for some of the largest medical providers in the Pittsburgh area are provided below:
Allegheny General Hospital Medical Record Request
St. Clair Hospital Medical Record Request
Heritage Valley Health System Medical Record Request
Should I see the doctor again?
Should I go back to same doctor?
We never give medical advice. If you believe that a specific doctor can give you or a loved one the best medical care, then you need to do what is best from a health perspective.
However, from a legal perspective, we do not recommend continuing treatment with a doctor that you believe may have committed malpractice unless necessary from a medical standpoint.
The logic is simple. First, why would you want to continue treating with a doctor that you believe committed malpractice? Second, juries are skeptical of patients who sue the same doctors that they continued to treat with.
Choosing a doctor is a personal decision, and one that should focus on health and safety first and foremost. However, if you are pursuing a lawsuit, you should be careful about treating with the doctor you are suing.
How do I find the right lawyer?
How do I find the right Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice lawyer?
3. Research. Research. Research.
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Do not rely simply on advertising in choosing a malpractice lawyer. If you, or someone you love, has been seriously injured in a medical malpractice case, then the odds are you will need substantial financial consideration in order to make life more bearable.
You will have only one opportunity. If your case is unsuccessful, or you are awarded limited sums, you will never have the opportunity to demand more, even if your physical condition declines. Therefore, it is essential that injured victims research potential medical malpractice attorneys thoroughly.
This research should include asking family and friends about any prior cases which they may have had. Ask your family and friends about the outcome, diligence and timeliness of the lawyers efforts. Your research should include extensive online searches, including the PA Disciplinary Committee and Lawyer rating Sites (such as AVVO.com).
You should read prior client testimonials and peer reviews if available. You should research and find any articles or books which your lawyer has authored. And finally, your research should include interviewing several qualified lawyers.
2. Interview Several Lawyers.
Most injured clients do NOT interview several lawyers. Visiting a lawyer’s office can be inconvenient especially when you are injured. However, interviewing is crucial in choosing the best medical malpractice attorney, and almost all attorneys will visit you either in your home or in a hospital. Some attorneys are great salesman, but as a potential client, you should use your leverage to your benefit. Do not be intimidated.
You need to ask the important questions which need to be answered. Among those questions are: Have you handled this type of case before? What were the results? Why should I choose you? Clients should interview lawyers the same way in which all important decisions should be made. If you were hiring a new employee, buying a new car, having heart surgery, odds are you would research and conduct interviews to make sure that your decision was the best. The same is true in choosing a malpractice attorney.
Does your lawyer handle only personal injury cases as opposed to medical malpractice cases? There is a big difference. These are important questions. However, the most important question you will want to ask your lawyer is: Will he/she have the time to handle your case appropriately?
1. Make Sure Your Lawyer has the Time.
Medical Malpractice cases take an extraordinary amount of time and research to handle. Typically, there are voluminous medical records, depositions, discovery, and expert reports. Some lawyers are known for waiting until the last minute before filing pleadings. I have even heard of attorneys waiting 18-20 months after they have signed up a new case to file the original lawsuit.
Lawyers are known for aggressive marketing in an effort to sign up the new clients, but it means nothing if your lawyer does not have the time to handle your case with the attention it deserves. Ask prospective lawyers how many other pending medical malpractice cases they currently have? If they answer more than 50, ask them who else will be working on your file? Ask your lawyer if he/she will be the actual attorney handling the file? Ask your attorney where your case will rank among the files which they have? In your case, you need your medical malpractice attorney to be as aggressive as possible for you.
In conclusion, choosing the best Medical Malpractice attorney is not easy. It requires work on the part of the potential client. However, if you believe you have a meritorious malpractice case, you should thoroughly research attorneys; interview the top few you find; and then make sure that the lawyer you choose has the time to handle your case appropriately.
If you think you or a loved one may have been a victim of medical malpractice, call Attorney Noah Paul Fardo for a free consultation at 412.802.6666.
Will you review my case?
Our screening process starts with an interview by an actual lawyer. If we believe there is merit, we will offer to review the medical records and have the records reviewed by a doctor.
there is no obligation during the review process and typically, we only offer representation if a doctor is willing to agree that there was negligence. In addition, we must be able to determine that the negligence caused harm to the patient.
If we accept your case, we advance 100% of all costs, expert fees, deposition costs, the costs of obtaining your medical records, and any other case expenses and are only reimbursed if we are successful in recovery.
If you would like a free consultation, please call our offices at 412.802.6666.
We do not charge a fee unless we win.
Our representation for medical malpractice and/or medical negligence cases is based on a contingent fee structure.
There is absolutely no fee unless we obtain recovery for you. We advance 100% the costs, including experts, filings, and depositions and are only reimbursed from the client’s share if we are successful. If we represent you or a loved one in a medical malpractice case, you can rest assured that we cannot make money unless we obtain monetary recovery for you or our client.
Our Pittsburgh law firm advances substantial sums of money for each case with absolutely zero financial risk to our injured clients.
If you are injured, we will make any necessary accommodations to offer you the most convenient consultation possible. Whether you are at home or in a hospital, we will listen to the situation which caused your injury.
What is the standard fee agreement?
The standard fee for medical malpractice cases is 40% of the total recovery received. It is important to understand that any costs advanced by the lawyer are typically deducted from the client’s portion of the recovery.
Clients are never responsible for out-of-pocket expenses unless there is a recovery. However, clients are encouraged to keep track of costs as litigation proceeds so that they are aware of the deduction which will happen from their final recovery.
Fees for injured minors will often be reduced.
Do you try to settle before filing suit?
Not typically. Only if the case is very clear on liability will we consider resolution prior to filing a lawsuit. We believe that the value of the case increases once the complaint is actually filed.
Also, you can always speak concerning resolution once the case is actually filed, and then the defendants better understand the allegations and injuries suffered.
Ultimately, it is the client’s decision on whether or not they would like to settle at certain points throughout litigation. Our job is to provide options and advice. However, the final decision to settle or go to trial will always be that of client. We can only make an informed recommendation.
How long will my case take?
Most medical malpractice cases in Pennsylvania take about 2 to 3 years to effectively prosecute to trial.
It takes about 3-6 months to file the complaint and have the defendants file their answer. Discovery usually takes 12-18 months and then it takes another 6 months to have the case listed for trial.
These are of course estimates, and each case is unique depending upon the complexity of the case.
Be careful about lawyers extending the case for longer than it needs to be. Many lawyers are eager to sign clients, but are not as eager to push the case forward as efficiently as possible. When our offices are retained, we work hard to either settle the case or move the case forward as quickly as possible to trial.
Do I actually have to go to a trial?
Not always. However, you should never file a lawsuit if you are not prepared to pursue the matter all the way through trial. If the defendants believe you do not want to go through a trial, then they most likely will not have an interest in settling.
The best settlements are received when the defendants understand that the plaintiffs are ready and prepared to go to trial. Each case is of course unique, and we constantly analyze the interests of settlement versus going to trial so that the client can recover the most money in their pocket.
Do I pay the costs?
There is no risk of clients having to pay out of pocket expenses in a medical malpractice case. However, clients are responsible for reimbursing the law firm out of their portion of the recovery for any monies advanced.
We routinely update our clients of any costs advanced so that they are aware of the costs at all times. We also try to be efficient in costs and not incur unreasonable expenses.
How much is my case worth?
How much is my case worth?
The hardest single question for any lawyer is telling their client how much their case is worth.
In Pennsylvania, injured plaintiffs can recover for:
- past medical bills,
- future medical bills,
- lost wages,
- lost earning capacity, and/or
- other ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses.
Pennsylvania also allows for the recovery of pain and suffering, which can include:
- physical pain,
- emotional pain,
- stress,
- mental anguish,
- embarrassment,
- humility,
- and/or reduction in the likelihood of marriage.
Pain and suffering is different with every jury. Also, how reckless the medical error is, can have a direct impact on the financial award or settlement.
The true value of any medical malpractice claim can only be determined after thoroughly analyzing the liability, the defendants, and a full understanding of the injuries. This also includes understanding the plaintiff’s background, life and family. We work hard to inform our clients of expectations based upon our thorough review, past experiences and personal relationships with our clients.
What is the certificate of merit?
What is the Pennsylvania ‘Certificate of Merit’?
The certificate of merit is a statement from another doctor agreeing that there was negligence.
In 2003, the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court approved a new rule requiring attorneys to obtain a “certificate of merit” from a medical professional establishing that there was a violation of the standard of care.
What this means is that in order to proceed in medical malpractice cases now, lawyers must have a written statement from another doctor, in the same or similar field of medicine, opining that there was negligence.
A lawyer failing to obtain the certificate of merit cannot bring a case to trial. Certificates of merit must be obtained within sixty (60) days of the filing of the complaint. If a certificate of merit is not filed, the case can be dismissed and judgment may be entered in favor of the defendants.
Anyone considering filing a medical malpractice case in Pennsylvania needs to understand the critical importance of the certificate of merit and having a statement from another doctor agreeing that there was negligence in this specific situation.
What is your past experience?
Partners Shawn T. Flaherty & Noah Paul Fardo
For over 15 years, Flaherty Fardo has helped injured victims of medical malpractice claims recover money for their injuries.
Our efforts have helped victims in cases involving surgical errors, emergency room mistakes, misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose and lack of informed consent claims.
We have received numerous settlements and/or verdicts in Allegheny County and surrounding counties including, Washington County, Westmoreland County, Elk County, Fayette County, and Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
Medical malpractice claims are some of the most difficult cases to pursue, both because of the actual time and financial resources necessary to challenge some of the largest healthcare organizations in the state of Pennsylvania. We believe our success in prosecuting malpractice claims is a direct result of our work ethic and recognition of the importance of our client’s claims.
Do you have doctors on retainer?
Dean Fardo, MD.
FLAHERTY FARDO, LLC has a distinct advantage over many other law firms by having immediate and unfettered access to board certified physicians to review cases and to help with the prosecution of medical malpractice actions when negligence exists.
Our law firm is proud to have both Dr. Barbara E. Fardo and Dr. Dean J. Fardo, on retainer to fully evaluate our potential medical malpractice cases.
Both doctors are board certified physicians and operate their own medical practices respectively. Our physicians on retainer will regularly speak to our lawyers about cases, review medical records, review deposition transcripts, and speak directly to clients when warranted.
Having access to skilled physicians greatly assists both in preparation for defendant doctor depositions as well as in preparation for actual trial.
Why Flaherty Fardo?
Choosing the right medical malpractice attorney is crucial. What we offer is experienced, aggressive representation with client’s interests as our primary concern.
We believe that recovering monies for victims of medical malpractice can affect our clients for the rest of their lives. We take that responsibility seriously and only commit to cases we are determined to win.
We believe we offer three advantages.
- We have physicians on retainer. Having unfettered access to doctors is essential in prosecuting these cases.
- We have significant experience. We have successfully handled multiple kinds of malpractice cases including surgical errors, hospital errors, misdiagnosis, and informed consent cases. We have recovered monies for clients in over 5 different counties throughout western Pennsylvania.
- We provide unique personal attention. We are accessible and our clients should never have to ask about the status of their case.
What do your past clients say?
What do your past malpractice clients say about you?
“Noah, I can never thank you enough for the time and effort you put into helping our family. Your dedication and work ethic to bring justice was evident every day I talked to you…you did everything a person could hope for when encountered with this situation. You’re a great person, and a great friend too. Thank you so much, you will never be forgotten.”
Bill M.
Flaherty Fardo, LLC
“3 years ago, I sustained an injury which I believed I needed an attorney. After countless phone conversations with many law firms that said, no, I did not have a case based on our phone conversation, I finally was able to get at least a personal interview with the law firm Flaherty and Fardo to determine if indeed I had a case.
I met with Noah Fardo and he was very professional. After our meeting it was determined that his law firm would help me. The entire staff, from legal secretaries and lawyers, were very professional, compassionate and thorough. The law firm of Flaherty and Fardo made me feel like I was their only client. They kept me informed weekly with the progress of my case.
They were able to win my case and I was awarded a monetary value beyond my expectations. I highly recommend them if you want it done right. Even to date they call me to see how I am doing. Flaherty and Fardo were truly a godsend to me and my family.”
Dara L.
“Noah Fardo is a 5-star lawyer. When Noah took my case, my experience in working with him exceeded far beyond my expectations. He kept in touch with me through every step of the process, alleviating much of the anxiety associated with a lawsuit. He responded to my ongoing questions, comments and concerns almost immediately. I felt like we were a team and when the case finally came to execution, he left no stone un-turned. Most importantly, he fought for me equipped with total knowledge, vigor and professionalism.”
Mary L.
“Hey Noah, just wanted to say thank you again for all the hard work you did while working on my lawsuit. As you know, I contemplated on whether or not I should proceed with a lawsuit for almost two years (time was almost up to file) before I finally decided to contact someone. So I did my research at my local courthouse and found your name on a judgement search index. The office did a wonderful job with such short notice and my time running out to file. I felt so comfortable talking with you that I knew I made the right decision to proceed with my lawsuit.”
J.C.
“Hi Noah. I received and deposited the check yesterday. I am glad this matter is now finalized. I can’t thank you enough for all of your help throughout. I couldn’t have had better representation. Thank you again.”
Joyce S.
” I was very fortunate to have Noah Fardo be my lawyer in my malpractice suit. Not only did he successfully represent me but also during the pretrial months( the case ended up being settled out of court) he kept me very well informed, and if I had a question promptly and effectivly replied. He is both an excellent lawyer and an extremely nice person,.who helped calm my distraught reaction to what to me was a serious injury. I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking a skilled, compassionate lawyer.”
Muriel G.
“Dear Noah, We just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for all of your hard work and thoughtfulness. You really did an excellent job for us! Thanks again.”
Marie C.
No fee unless recovery is made
412.802.6666
Call for a free consultation
Read our Medical Malpractice Articles:
- The 3 keys to overcoming the medical malpractice bias in Pittsburgh.
- Handling the Botched Breast Augmentation Case
- Fardo Interviewed by USA Today About Non-Qualified Doctors Attempting Plastic Surgery.
- How Much is My Pennsylvania Personal Injury Case Worth?
- Attorney Noah Fardo Recognized by Elite Lawyers of America.
- 3 Steps to Finding the Best Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Lawyer.
- How to prepare for your Medical Malpractice Deposition.
- What is the Pennsylvania ‘Certificate of Merit’?
- Six-Figure Settlement for Victim of Awake Breast Augmentation
- Botched Plastic Surgery involving Breast Reduction Settles for over a Million Dollars.
- Money does help families recover after serious injuries.
- Awful Plastic Surgery? Free Case Evaluation.
- Our Unique Plastic Surgeon/Lawyer Team.
- What is Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice?
Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Table of Contents:
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits
- Plastic Surgery Errors
- Bad Breast Augmentations
- Our Lawyer/Plastic Surgeon Team
- Surgical Errors & Mistakes
- OB/GYN Mistakes
- Anesthesia Errors
- Emergency Room Mistakes
- Failure to Diagnose
- Lack of Informed Consent
There is absolutely no fee or cost for any of our free initial personal consultations. Consultations can be done in person, on-line or via telephone at 412.802.6666 or toll free at 1.877.744.3476.
