Denver Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Experienced Legal Advocacy for Medical Negligence Cases in Colorado

If a medical provider or hospital has injured you or killed a loved one through medical negligence, the consequences can be profound. Not only are you facing health issues that you should never have to endure and medical bills you should never have incurred, but your trust in the entire healthcare system has no doubt collapsed. Medical malpractice law in Colorado is a difficult area with many pitfalls. Few lawyers have the expertise to bring these cases successfully. Parker Lipman has the experience and knowledge to evaluate your potential medical malpractice case properly and determine whether it makes sense to pursue a claim or lawsuit.

Call Parker Lipman today at (720) 408-6840 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our medical malpractice attorney in Denver!

What Is Medical Malpractice? 

Medical professionals are held to specific standards that are the prevailing and accepted practices in their field. When a medical provider fails to provide reasonable care or causes injury through negligent care, it may be actionable malpractice. Medical errors, lapses in judgment, negligence, and other failures resulting in patient illness, injury, or death may form the basis of a medical malpractice claim. 

Examples of medical malpractice can include:

• Failure to diagnose an illness or condition
• Failing to monitor a hospital patient properly
• Delay in diagnosis of cancer
• Misdiagnosis of an illness or condition
• Surgical errors, such as wrong-site surgery or leaving behind sponges or other equipment in the patient’s body
• Anesthesia errors, such as too little or too much anesthesia or failure to monitor the patient while unconscious
• Birth injuries, such as failure to ensure the infant has sufficient oxygen during labor and delivery
• Medication mistakes, such as wrong dosage or wrong drug prescribed
• Failure to inform patients of known risks in medical treatments

Understanding Colorado's Medical Malpractice Laws

Navigating Colorado’s medical malpractice laws can be challenging without expert guidance. Here are some key details you need to know:

1. Statute of Limitations: In Colorado, you typically have two years from the date of injury—or from the date the injury was discovered—to file a medical malpractice claim. Certain exceptions apply, such as injuries involving minors or cases where fraud was involved. Acting quickly is essential to protect your rights.
2. Damage Caps: Colorado places limits on the amount of compensation you can receive in a medical malpractice case. As of 2025, non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are capped at $1,000,000, with some exceptions. Economic damages, such as medical bills, may not be capped but must be proven with documentation.
3. Comparative Negligence: Colorado follows the modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault for your injuries. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Understanding these nuances can help you build a stronger case with the guidance of an experienced Denver medical malpractice attorney.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Medical Malpractice Cases? 

Doctors are not the only ones who can commit medical malpractice. Medical professionals such as nurses, surgeons, therapists, chiropractors, and Pharmacists may be held liable for malpractice. Hospitals, surgery centers, urgent care centers, and other health care entities can also be liable for such things as the negligence of their non-physician employees, inadequate staffing, failure to have the proper medical equipment on hand, failure to properly train nurses and other staff, failure to have proper policies and procedures to protect patients, and improperly transferring emergency patients.

Medical malpractice claims are expensive, as many aspects of the case must be proved through expert witnesses, such as other physicians or professionals who practice in the field or who can explain why the negligence caused the injury. These experts review available and relevant records, imaging studies, and other information to provide credible, well-supported testimony. We worked closely with expert witnesses to enhance the likelihood of a good settlement or a successful verdict. If you require medical treatment in the future, we will retain a life care planner to assess the cost of the future care you require.

Can I Sue a Hospital for Negligence in Denver?

Yes, you can sue a hospital for negligence in Denver if the hospital's actions or policies directly contributed to your injury or worsened your medical condition. While doctors are often the focus of medical malpractice claims, hospitals and healthcare facilities can also be held accountable under specific circumstances.

When Is a Hospital Liable for Medical Malpractice?

Hospitals can be found negligent in cases where:

• Employee Negligence: Hospitals are responsible for the actions of their employees, including nurses, technicians, and other staff members. If an employee’s negligence—such as failing to monitor a patient or administering the wrong medication—causes harm, the hospital can be held liable.
• Inadequate Staffing: If a hospital fails to maintain sufficient staff levels to provide proper care, this could constitute negligence. For example, overworked nurses might miss critical changes in a patient’s condition.
• Improper Hiring Practices: Hospitals must ensure that their staff is adequately trained and licensed. If a hospital hires unqualified or unlicensed personnel who cause harm, the hospital could be held responsible.
• Failure to Maintain Equipment: Hospitals are responsible for ensuring all medical equipment is functioning correctly. Faulty equipment, such as defective surgical tools or broken monitoring devices, can lead to severe consequences for patients.
• Poor Policies or Procedures: Hospitals must establish and enforce policies that prioritize patient safety. For instance, if a hospital fails to implement proper infection control measures, patients could develop avoidable complications.

Common Examples of Hospital Negligence

• Surgical Errors: Hospitals may be liable for surgeries performed in unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
• Emergency Room Mistakes: Mismanagement of ER protocols, such as triage errors or delays in treatment, can lead to liability.
• Medication Errors: Mistakes in dispensing or administering medication by hospital staff could result in harm.
• Patient Falls: If a hospital fails to provide adequate supervision or safety measures for at-risk patients, resulting in falls, the facility could be held accountable.
• Infections: Hospitals can be sued for negligence if poor sanitation or a lack of infection control leads to preventable infections.

How to Prove Hospital Negligence

To sue a hospital for negligence, you and your attorney must demonstrate the following:

1. Duty of Care: The hospital owed you a duty to provide competent medical care.
2. Breach of Duty: The hospital failed to meet this standard through its actions or inactions.
3. Causation: The hospital’s negligence directly caused your injury or worsened your condition.
4. Damages: You suffered measurable harm, such as physical injury, emotional trauma, or financial losses.

Can You Sue for the Actions of Independent Doctors?

Many doctors working in hospitals are independent contractors, not employees. In these cases, the hospital may not be directly liable for the doctor’s negligence. However, exceptions can apply, such as:

• Apparent Agency: If the hospital presents the doctor as an employee or if the patient reasonably believes the doctor works for the hospital.
• Failure to Credential: If the hospital knew—or should have known—that the doctor was unqualified or had a history of malpractice.

Call Parker Lipman today at (720) 408-6840 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our medical malpractice attorney near you!

What Compensation is Available in Medical Malpractice Cases?

Compensation for these cases is similar to that of other personal injury claims. You may be eligible for past and predicted future medical and therapeutic expenses, lost income/wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of household services and other costs. Your compensation will depend on the nature and extent of your injuries and how they have affected your life.

The Hidden Costs of Medical Negligence

Medical malpractice impacts more than just your health. The financial, emotional, and social costs can be staggering:

• Long-Term Medical Care: Patients often require ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or specialized care.
• Loss of Income: Many victims are unable to return to work, leading to a loss of earnings.
• Psychological Effects: Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are common among victims of medical negligence.
• Impact on Families: Family members may need to take on caregiving roles, which can lead to lost wages and increased stress.

Our Track Record of Success 

Parker Lipman takes pride in our track record of success, which reflects our level of competence and commitment to clients.

In medical malpractice, we have recently:

• Obtained a jury verdict of over $4 million against a hand surgeon whose insurance company offered nothing to settle the case before trial.
• Settled a large case involving several health care providers who misdiagnosed an infection causing the patient to lose her fingers and feet.
• Successfully represented patients whose cancer diagnoses were missed.
• Settled cases involving serious pharmacy errors.
• Obtained a multi-million-dollar settlement in a lab error case.
• Represented children and adults injured by medical providers at urgent care centers.
• Obtained large settlements for patients severely burned in a hospital.
• Represented patients injured by instruments left in their bodies after surgery.
• Represented the family of a man who died as a result of a doctor’s failure to administer antibiotics.
• Won and settled numerous cases involving medical harm caused by physicians, hospitals, nurses, and physician assistants. 

Contact Our Denver Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

Navigating the complex realm of medical malpractice requires a seasoned legal team. At Parker Lipman, our commitment to securing justice for victims is evident in our impressive track record. From substantial jury verdicts against negligent surgeons to successful resolutions in cases involving misdiagnoses and pharmacy errors, we have consistently advocated for those affected by medical harm. As we collaborate closely with expert witnesses and life care planners, our aim is to maximize compensation for our clients, encompassing medical expenses, lost income, emotional trauma, and more. Trust our Denver medical malpractice lawyers to pursue justice for your injuries and losses relentlessly. 

Contact Parker Lipman today to meet with our medical malpractice lawyer in Denver!

Medical Malpractice FAQs

How do I know if I have a medical malpractice case? 

If you or a loved one has suffered from an injury or death caused by a healthcare provider's negligence, it’s important to speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Our legal team will evaluate your case based on medical records, expert opinions, and other key evidence.

How much time do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in Colorado? 

In Colorado, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally two years from the date the injury or harm occurred or from when it was discovered. However, exceptions may apply, so it's crucial to consult an attorney promptly.

How are medical malpractice cases different from other personal injury cases?

Medical malpractice cases are more complex than other personal injury cases because they often require expert testimony to prove negligence. Additionally, these cases can involve significant medical evidence and legal intricacies, which is why having an experienced attorney is essential.

How much will it cost to hire a medical malpractice lawyer? 

At Parker Lipman, we work on a contingency fee basis for medical malpractice cases, meaning you don’t pay unless we win. We believe in making justice accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.

What are the potential outcomes of a medical malpractice case?

Medical malpractice cases can result in settlements or verdicts. A settlement is an agreement between both parties, often before trial, while a verdict is the decision reached by a jury. The outcome depends on the evidence presented, the severity of the injury, and the skill of the legal team.