When you seek medical care, you place your trust in healthcare professionals to provide treatment that meets the accepted standard of care. Unfortunately, medical errors occur—sometimes with devastating consequences. If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to medical negligence in Beverly Hills, Dordick Law Corporation stands ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our medical malpractice lawyers in Beverly Hills understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that medical errors inflict on patients and their families. We investigate your case thoroughly, work with qualified medical experts, and fight aggressively to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. With a commitment to personalized representation and a track record of successful outcomes, we guide our clients through every step of the legal process.
Why Choose Dordick Law Corporation for Your Medical Malpractice Case
When you hire Dordick Law Corporation, you gain advocates who understand both the medical and legal aspects of your case. We approach each matter with the thoroughness and dedication it deserves. Our Beverly Hills personal injury team has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for injured clients. We have earned recognition as Super Lawyers for our commitment to excellence in medical malpractice representation.
Free Consultation and Case Evaluation
We offer a free, confidential consultation to discuss your situation. During this meeting, we listen to your account of events, review your medical records, and provide an honest assessment of your potential claim. There is no obligation, and we never pressure clients into retaining our services. Contact our Beverly Hills office today to schedule your consultation.
No Fee Unless We Win
We represent medical malpractice clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you through settlement or trial verdict. We advance the costs of investigation, expert witnesses, and litigation, and we recover these costs only if your case succeeds. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours—we are motivated to obtain the maximum compensation possible.
Personalized Representation
We do not treat clients as case numbers. Our attorneys take time to understand your unique circumstances, your injuries, and your goals. We keep you informed throughout the process and involve you in major decisions about your case. Our team of experienced attorneys brings decades of combined experience to every case.
Commitment to Results
Our track record demonstrates our commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. We have recovered significant settlements and verdicts in medical malpractice cases involving surgical errors, misdiagnosis, birth injuries, and other forms of medical negligence. We bring this experience and determination to every case we handle. View our case results to see examples of successful recoveries.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider—including doctors, nurses, surgeons, hospitals, or other medical professionals—fails to provide treatment that meets the accepted standard of care, resulting in injury to the patient. Understanding the legal framework of medical malpractice helps you determine whether you have a viable claim. According to the The BMJ, medical errors is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
The Three-Part Legal Test
To establish medical malpractice in California, you must prove three essential elements:
Breach of the Standard of Care
The healthcare provider owed you a duty to provide competent medical treatment. This duty requires that the provider act with the same level of skill and care that a reasonably competent healthcare professional would exercise under similar circumstances. A breach occurs when the provider’s actions or inactions fall below this standard. For example, a surgeon who operates while impaired, fails to follow established surgical protocols, or misreads diagnostic imaging breaches the standard of care. Surgical errors represent one of the most common types of medical negligence claims.
Causation
You must demonstrate a direct causal link between the healthcare provider’s breach and your injury. This means the negligent act or omission directly caused your harm. Medical causation requires expert testimony from qualified medical professionals. These experts establish that the provider’s conduct was a substantial factor in producing your injury. Additionally, they show that you would not have suffered the injury absent that conduct.
Resulting Damages
You must have suffered actual damages—measurable harm—as a result of the medical negligence. Damages include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and in cases of wrongful death, the loss of the deceased’s earning capacity and companionship. Without demonstrable damages, you cannot recover compensation.
All three elements must be present to establish a successful medical malpractice claim. Our attorneys work with medical experts to build a compelling case that proves each element beyond question.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical errors take many forms. Our firm handles a wide range of medical malpractice cases, including:
Surgical Errors and Wrong-Site Surgery
Surgeons and surgical teams must follow strict protocols to prevent errors. Surgical malpractice includes operating on the wrong site, leaving surgical instruments or sponges inside the patient’s body, damaging surrounding tissue, performing unnecessary procedures, or failing to follow proper sterile technique. These errors can result in severe complications, infection, permanent injury, or death.
Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
When a physician fails to diagnose a condition or delays diagnosis, the patient may miss critical treatment windows. Misdiagnosis of cancer, heart disease, stroke, infection, or other serious conditions can allow the disease to progress. This results in more severe illness, permanent damage, or death. A correct diagnosis made earlier could have led to successful treatment. Misdiagnosis cases often involve complex medical evidence and expert testimony.
Medication Errors
Medication mistakes include prescribing the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, failure to account for drug interactions, or administering medication to a patient with a known allergy. Pharmacy errors, nursing administration errors, and physician prescribing errors all fall into this category. Medication errors can cause severe adverse reactions, organ damage, or death. The FDA tracks medication errors and adverse events through its MedWatch program.
Birth Injuries and Obstetric Malpractice
Complications during pregnancy, labor, or delivery can cause permanent injury to the mother or child. Obstetric malpractice includes failure to monitor fetal heart rate, delayed response to fetal distress, improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction, failure to perform a timely cesarean section, or failure to diagnose and treat maternal infections. Birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, and brachial plexus injuries often result from obstetric negligence. Fetal hypoxia is a particularly serious birth injury that can cause permanent neurological damage.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists must carefully monitor patients during surgery. Anesthesia errors include administering incorrect dosages, failing to monitor vital signs, using defective equipment, or failing to recognize and respond to complications. Anesthesia errors can cause brain damage, cardiac arrest, or death.
Failure to Treat or Improper Treatment
A healthcare provider may breach the standard of care by failing to treat a diagnosed condition or by providing treatment that worsens the patient’s condition. This includes abandoning a patient, failing to refer to a specialist when necessary, or providing treatment that contradicts established medical protocols.
Emergency Room Negligence
Emergency departments handle high volumes of patients under time pressure, but this does not excuse negligence. ER malpractice includes failure to properly triage patients, misdiagnosis of heart attacks or strokes, failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests, or failure to admit a patient who requires hospitalization.
Each type of medical malpractice requires careful investigation and expert analysis. Our attorneys have experience pursuing claims across all these categories.
How We Prove Medical Malpractice in Beverly Hills
Proving medical malpractice requires more than showing that a bad outcome occurred. You must present evidence that the healthcare provider’s conduct fell below the accepted standard of care and directly caused your injury. Our approach combines thorough investigation, expert testimony, and strategic legal advocacy.
The Role of Medical Experts
California law requires expert testimony to establish the standard of care in medical malpractice cases. We retain qualified medical experts—physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals—who review your medical records, examine you if necessary, and provide opinions about whether the defendant’s conduct breached the standard of care. These experts must be licensed professionals with experience in the relevant medical specialty and must be prepared to testify about industry standards and practices.
Standard of Care in California
The standard of care is not perfect. Rather, it represents the level of skill, knowledge, and care that a reasonably competent healthcare professional in the same specialty would exercise under similar circumstances. This standard may vary based on the type of facility (rural hospital versus major medical center), the resources available, and the patient’s condition. Our experts help establish what the standard of care required in your specific situation and how the defendant fell short.
MICRA Limitations and Non-Economic Damages Caps
California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) imposes significant limitations on medical malpractice claims. Most importantly, MICRA caps non-economic damages—compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Assembly Bill 35 (effective January 1, 2023) modernized MICRA’s damage caps, which now increase annually.
As of 2025, the non-economic damages cap is $430,000 for non-death cases and $600,000 for wrongful death cases. These caps will continue to increase by $40,000 per year (non-death) and $50,000 per year (death) through 2033, reaching $750,000 (non-death) and $1,000,000 (death). After 2033, the caps will adjust annually by 2% for inflation. However, MICRA does not cap economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and the cost of future care. Our attorneys structure claims to maximize economic damages while working within MICRA’s constraints.
We also work with the requirement that expert declarations accompany your complaint and the strict statute of limitations. California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.5 establishes that you generally have three years from discovery of the injury or one year from discovery of the injury (whichever is earlier) to file a medical malpractice claim. Additionally, you must provide 90 days’ written notice to the healthcare provider before filing suit (CCP § 364). These procedural requirements demand experienced legal representation from a medical malpractice attorney in Beverly Hills.
Damages You Can Recover
Medical malpractice damages compensate you for the harm you suffered. California law recognizes two categories of damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
Unlike non-economic damages, economic damages represent measurable financial losses resulting from the medical negligence:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses: All reasonable and necessary medical treatment required to address the injury caused by malpractice, including hospitalization, surgery, medications, rehabilitation, therapy, and ongoing care.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation for income lost during recovery and, in cases of permanent disability, the reduction in your lifetime earning capacity.
- Cost of Future Care: For serious injuries, damages include the cost of long-term care, home health services, assistive devices, and modifications to your home or vehicle.
- Other Economic Losses: Transportation costs for medical treatment, medical equipment, and other quantifiable expenses directly related to your injury.
Economic damages are not subject to MICRA’s caps, so they can represent significant compensation in cases involving serious injury, permanent disability, or significant medical expenses. Catastrophic injuries often result in substantial economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for subjective harm that does not have a precise dollar value:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and suffering caused by the injury and medical treatment.
- Emotional Distress: Damages for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other psychological harm resulting from the medical negligence.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to engage in activities you previously enjoyed due to your injury.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Damages for visible injuries that affect your appearance and self-image.
- Loss of Consortium: In cases where a spouse or family member is injured, the uninjured spouse may recover damages for loss of companionship and support.
As noted, California law caps non-economic damages under MICRA, with the 2025 cap at $430,000 for non-death cases and $600,000 for wrongful death cases.
Wrongful Death Claims
When medical malpractice results in death, the deceased’s family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. Eligible claimants typically include the surviving spouse or domestic partner and children. Parents may recover damages only if there is no surviving spouse or children, or if they were financially dependent on the deceased. Damages in wrongful death cases include the deceased’s lost earning capacity, medical and funeral expenses, and the family’s loss of companionship, guidance, and support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice in Beverly Hills
Do I have a medical malpractice case?
You may have a medical malpractice case if a healthcare provider’s negligence caused you injury. The key question is whether the provider’s conduct fell below the accepted standard of care. Not every bad outcome constitutes malpractice—sometimes complications occur despite appropriate care. To determine whether you have a viable claim, consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney who can review your medical records and discuss your situation with qualified medical experts.
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in California?
California’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally three years from the date you discovered the injury, or one year from the date you discovered the injury (whichever is earlier), under California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.5. Additionally, you must provide 90 days’ written notice to the healthcare provider before filing suit (CCP § 364). However, this timeline does not apply if the defendant fraudulently concealed the malpractice.
Additionally, if you were a minor at the time of the malpractice, different rules may apply—for example, the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) until you reach a certain age. Given the complexity of these rules, it is critical to consult with an attorney promptly to protect your legal rights.
How long does a medical malpractice case take?
The timeline for a medical malpractice case varies depending on the complexity of the case, the number of parties involved, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. Many cases resolve through settlement within 12 to 24 months. Cases that proceed to trial may take three to five years or longer from the initial filing to final judgment. Our attorneys will provide you with a realistic timeline based on the specific circumstances of your case.
What should I do if I believe I've been a victim of medical malpractice?
If you suspect medical malpractice, take these steps: First, seek appropriate medical care to address your current condition. Second, obtain copies of all your medical records from the healthcare provider involved. Third, document your injuries, symptoms, and the impact on your life. Fourth, avoid discussing the incident on social media or with others who might communicate with the defendant’s insurance company. Finally, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to discuss your situation and protect your legal rights. claim.
How much does it cost to hire a medical malpractice attorney?
Dordick Law Corporation represents medical malpractice clients on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront attorney’s fees. Instead, we recover our fees from the compensation we obtain for you. If we do not recover compensation, you owe us nothing. We do advance the costs of investigation, expert witnesses, court filing fees, and other litigation expenses, and these costs are recovered from your settlement or verdict. This arrangement helps ensure that cost is not a barrier to pursuing your claim.
Can I sue for wrongful death due to medical malpractice?
Yes. If a healthcare provider’s negligence results in death, the deceased’s family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. Eligible claimants typically include the surviving spouse or domestic partner and children. Parents may recover damages only if there is no surviving spouse or children, or if they were financially dependent on the deceased. Wrongful death damages include the deceased’s lost earning capacity, medical and funeral expenses, and the family’s loss of companionship and support. Wrongful death claims are subject to the same legal standards and MICRA limitations as other medical malpractice claims. An attorney can explain your rights and options if you have lost a loved one due to medical negligence.
Contact Dordick Law Corporation Today
Medical malpractice cases demand experienced legal representation. The healthcare providers and their insurance companies have significant resources and will defend against your claim. You need a team of attorneys who understands medical malpractice law, has access to qualified medical experts, and will fight for your rights.
Dordick Law Corporation has helped numerous clients in Beverly Hills and throughout California recover compensation for injuries caused by medical negligence. Our firm invites you to contact us for a free consultation. Call (310) 736-2866 or complete our online contact form to schedule your appointment. Our medical malpractice lawyer in Beverly Hills serve clients on a contingency fee basis—no fee unless we win your case.
Your recovery matters to us. Let us help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
