Hamilton County Medical Malpractice Lawyer
When Trusted Care Turns Into Preventable Harm
Doctors, hospitals, and medical professionals hold a tremendous responsibility: your health and well-being. When they fail in that duty, the results can be devastating. Medical malpractice not only causes physical injury, but it can also erode your trust in the very system meant to protect you.
At Pritchard Injury Firm, we help individuals and families across Hamilton County hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. From Chattanooga and Red Bank to East Ridge and Hixson, we pursue justice for victims of surgical errors, birth injuries, misdiagnosis, and more.
Why Hire Pritchard Injury Firm for a Malpractice Case?
Medical malpractice cases are some of the most complex and highly defended claims in the legal system. Hospitals and insurance companies have deep resources and legal teams dedicated to denying responsibility. You need an attorney who understands the medicine and the law — and who’s not afraid to go to trial if necessary.
Here’s what you get with Pritchard Injury Firm:
- A proven track record in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases
- Access to medical experts and consultants in all specialties
- Deep understanding of Tennessee malpractice law and procedure
- Compassionate, responsive representation every step of the way
- No fee unless we win — period
We fight for full accountability and full compensation.
What Is Considered Medical Malpractice?
Not every bad outcome is malpractice. But when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, and that failure causes injury, it may become a valid claim.
Common examples of medical malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Surgical errors, such as wrong-site surgery or leaving instruments inside the body
- Anesthesia mistakes leading to oxygen deprivation or brain injury
- Medication errors, including wrong prescriptions or dosages
- Birth injuries, including cerebral palsy, shoulder dystocia, or trauma from misuse of forceps
- Failure to monitor patients during labor, surgery, or hospitalization
- Hospital-acquired infections due to unsanitary conditions or negligent care
- Emergency room negligence, including failure to triage or recognize life-threatening symptoms
These cases often involve deep investigation, expert review, and persistence. We’re equipped to handle all of it.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Medical Malpractice Case?
Medical negligence can result in permanent disability, loss of income, and emotional trauma, often when the patient is already in a vulnerable state. A successful malpractice claim can help you recover:
- Past and future medical bills related to the injury
- Corrective surgeries and long-term treatments
- Rehabilitation, therapy, or nursing care
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life or loss of consortium
- Funeral costs and wrongful death damages, in fatal cases
We work with financial and medical experts to document your full losses — not just the ones on a bill.
Proving a Medical Malpractice Case in Tennessee
Medical malpractice claims are among the most complex types of personal injury cases, requiring more than just proof of an injury. To succeed in Tennessee, the injured party must demonstrate that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care, and that this failure directly caused harm.
At the heart of every malpractice case is the concept of duty and deviation. First, we must establish that a formal doctor-patient relationship existed, which creates a legal duty for the provider to deliver care that meets professional standards. Then, we examine whether the provider’s actions deviated from what a reasonably competent medical professional would have done under similar circumstances.
It’s not enough to show that a mistake happened; we must also prove that the mistake caused or contributed to a specific injury. That often means building a case with the support of highly qualified medical experts who can explain, in technical and persuasive terms, exactly what went wrong and why it constitutes negligence.
Tennessee law also adds procedural hurdles. Before filing a malpractice lawsuit, plaintiffs must send a formal pre-suit notice to all potential defendants and file a Certificate of Good Faith. This certificate confirms that an independent medical expert has reviewed the case and believes there is a valid basis for the claim.
At Pritchard Injury Firm, we handle every aspect of this process — from obtaining and reviewing complex medical records, to consulting with specialists, to crafting a strong narrative for settlement or trial. We understand the stakes, and we have the resources and experience to pursue justice when trusted medical care goes wrong.
Common Locations Where Malpractice Happens in Hamilton County
Medical malpractice can occur in virtually any healthcare setting, including:
- Major hospitals such as Erlanger Health System and CHI Memorial in Chattanooga
- Surgical centers and outpatient facilities
- Emergency rooms, especially in understaffed hospitals
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- OB/GYN clinics and labor & delivery units
- Primary care offices, where missed diagnoses are common
- Pharmacies where prescription errors happen
No matter where the injury occurred, our firm is here to help investigate, prove fault, and fight for your recovery.
FAQ: Medical Malpractice in Hamilton County
How long do I have to file a malpractice lawsuit in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for malpractice claims, though certain exceptions may apply (such as in cases involving minors or delayed discovery).
Can I sue a hospital for negligence?
Yes. If the hospital employed the provider or failed in its own duties, and it can be held liable for malpractice.
How do you know if it’s really malpractice?
That’s where our medical experts come in. We consult independent physicians who review your records and provide an opinion on whether the standard of care was breached.
What if the injury happened during childbirth?
Birth injuries can be malpractice if they result from failure to monitor, delayed intervention, or misuse of delivery tools. We handle OB/GYN negligence claims.
Talk to a Hamilton County Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
You trusted a medical provider with your health, and they let you down. Let Pritchard Injury Firm fight to make it right.
Client Reviews
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"Reachable, Open and Successful"
You can tell that he cares, it's not about the bottom dollar. It's about 'Are you OK?' 'Did you get the proper treatment?' His care for his clients is bar none' impeccable.- D.H. -
"Top notch!"
Pritchard Injury Firm is nothing less than top-notch! They helped my family and I hold a negligent business accountable, and did so with fidelity, trust, and compassion. Zach and Julie always kept us updated and walked us through every step of the way. If you’re looking for an injury firm, look no further!- CP -
"The best team, the best support!"
The best team, the best support! Pritchard Injury Firm lead us through one of the darkest times of our lives to the light at the end of the tunnel! We are forever grateful for their expertise, their consistent communication, and the incredible professionalism that the entire team exhibited throughout the entire process. Thank you Pritchard Injury Firm!- JJ -
"Choose Pritchard"
Pritchard’s communication and counsel put me at ease during this difficult situation. I am pleased with the outcome and recommend them based on my personal experience.- NC
What Sets Us Apart?
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Millions of Dollars Recovered and Thousands of Cases Handled Each Year
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Work With a Firm That Is Dedicated To Your Success 24/7
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Work With a Team That Cares About You Both Inside & Outside of the Courtroom
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Work Directly With Attorney Zach Pritchard
