New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers
The New Jersey Medical Malpractice Attorneys law office of Weiss & Paarz is dedicated to ensuring clients get specialized representation for their difficult, complex medical malpractice claims. Some estimates claim that as many as 440,000 patients die each year as a result of preventable hospital errors. While unfortunately we cannot turn back the clock to prevent these errors ourselves, we can use our unique knowledge and experience to help victims of medical malpractice obtain the compensation and support necessary for their recovery, enabling them to move on and keep their families and financial futures intact. Our dedicated legal staff has been handling New Jersey medical malpractice claims exclusively for over three decades. We firmly believe in high-quality, thorough patient advocacy, as your New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice cases arise in New Jersey when a healthcare provider, or multiple healthcare providers, deviate from the accepted standard of medical care in any given clinical situation, significantly increasing the risk of harm to a patient and resulting in severe and permanent harm. In New Jersey, the increased risk of harm caused must have also been a substantial factor in the patient’s outcome or injury (as opposed to, for example, a pre-existing condition). These cases are typically very complex because medicine is constantly evolving and just because someone had a bad outcome does not mean they have an actionable medical malpractice case. Moreover, some victims of medical malpractice come to realize that although an unfortunate medical error might have occurred, fortunately for them, their resulting injury is not severe enough to recover sufficient compensation that will justify the extraordinarily high costs associated with filing a New Jersey medical malpractice lawsuit.
In New Jersey, as a starting point, a potentially actionable medical malpractice claim is established when:
- A healthcare professional deviated from accepted standards of care (liability is established);
- The deviation(s) significantly increased the risk of harm to a patient (causation);
- The increased risk of harm was a substantial factor in the patient’s injury; and
- The patient suffered significant and permanent harm (this may include but is not necessarily limited to emotional distress, pain, suffering, disfigurement, wage losses due to disability, a lost chance to survive a cancer/condition, a loss of the enjoyment associated with living, or even death)
However, just because the above elements can be established, does not mean the claim is ready to file. In New Jersey, medical malpractice claims require the support of at least one medical expert (but typically many more) in the same or similar type of medical specialization as the provider or provider(s) that a patient is attempting to sue. These medical experts make up the bulk of costs associated with bringing a medical malpractice case, and they must be retained independently, i.e. they are not employees of the law firm litigating the claim. Because of these requirements, successful medical malpractice claims require thorough investigation and workup by attorneys with significant experience handling these complex cases, significant financial resources to cover the costs of each case, and access to a network of highly respected medical experts across all types of medical specialties.
At Weiss & Paarz, our attorneys focus exclusively on medical malpractice, allowing us to identify mistakes, build strong cases, and fight for the maximum compensation that medical malpractice victims and their loved ones deserve.
Types of NJ Medical Malpractice Cases We Specialize In
Our team of medical malpractice attorneys has devoted their entire careers to litigating medical negligence cases. Our specialization uniquely qualifies us to handle all types of New Jersey medical malpractice claims. We are well-equipped to represent patients for the most common forms of medical malpractice (some of which are listed below), but also for more rare and uncommon forms of medical malpractice.
- Errors made during childbirth or pregnancy resulting in birth injury, death, or lifelong disability
- Errors made while performing medical procedures, including surgery
- Improper administration of anesthesia
- Failures in diagnoses and delays in diagnoses of strokes, heart attacks, sepsis, cauda equina misdiagnosis, brain injuries, meningitis, and misdiagnosis of cancer.
- Mismanagement of airways / intubation negligence
- Prescription medication mistakes
If you or a loved one has been harmed due to a medical professional’s negligence, it is crucial to choose an experienced medical malpractice lawyer near you to protect your rights. Our team of dedicated medical malpractice lawyers in New Jersey understand how complex these cases can be, and having focused exclusively on medical malpractice laws within the state of New Jersey for many decades, we are uniquely specialized and fully committed to fighting for the compensation clients deserve.
Weiss & Paarz Gives – Southern New Jersey
Most of our team was born and raised in the Southern New Jersey area, so here at Weiss & Paarz, our team is constantly looking for opportunities to enhance our local community. As dedicated New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys, we not only advocate for patients in the courtroom but also contribute to the well-being of our neighbors outside of it. We regularly support local organizations that help Southern New Jersey residents, and our staff deeply enjoys shopping for families in need during the holiday season. We’ve partnered with many organizations in the area, including but not limited to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, the Community Foodbank of New Jersey (Southern Branch), Operation Yellow Ribbon, and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. By continuing to volunteer, put together donation boxes, and spread some holiday cheer, we are excited to continue making a positive, local impact in every way we can.
Why Choose Weiss & Paarz?
Choosing the right attorney is imperative in that the wrong attorney can mean the difference between a dismissed claim and a successful recovery. At Weiss & Paarz, we are dedicated to providing patients and families in New Jersey with the highest level of representation in medical malpractice cases.
Here’s why clients trust us with their most complex NJ medical malpractice claims:
- Nearly 50 Years of Experience Exclusively Handling Medical Malpractice Claims – Our firm has focused exclusively on medical malpractice law for nearly 50 years and our attorneys have devoted their entire legal careers to this uniquely challenging legal field. Our boutique specialization equips us with a deep understanding of both the medical and legal complexities necessary to succeed litigating these cases.
- Proven Results – We’ve helped clients all over New Jersey secure hundreds of millions in compensation for catastrophic injuries, surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and more.
- Client-Centered Approach – We treat every case as if we were bringing it on behalf of our own family, with compassion, respect, and the transparency / guidance we believe every client deserves during what can often be a stressful and lengthy legal experience.
- No Fee Unless We Win – We work on a contingency basis so that our clients will never go into debt in their pursuit of justice. Contingency fee agreements mean we cover all of the expenses associated with bringing a medical malpractice case, and we never charge any legal fees unless we recover compensation for our client(s). This is why we have to be very selective in the claims we take on.
With Weiss & Paarz, you get more than legal representation — you get a team of trusted advocates committed to standing up for your rights and holding negligent medical providers accountable so that you can obtain maximum compensation and promote a safer healthcare system for future patients.
What are Negligence Claims?
Negligence claims refer to legal actions taken by individuals who have suffered harm or injury due to the mistakes or negligence of another party, such as a healthcare professional or institution’s treatment. Negligence claims typically arise when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in a patient’s catastrophic injury. These claims involve establishing (1) a healthcare provider deviated from accepted standards of medical care when treating a patient; (2) the deviation increased the risk of harm to that patient; (3) the increased risk of harm created by the deviation was a substantial factor in the ultimate harm the patient suffered; (4) the patient was harmed. Since these cases are expensive to pursue, the injury typically has to be significant and permanent in order to obtain compensation after costs. Weiss & Paarz seek to help victims obtain compensation in the form of a settlement or verdict for their pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other types of injuries due to negligence.
Medical Malpractice Damages
Various types of damages are recoverable depending upon the circumstances of a case in New Jersey medical malpractice litigation. Depending on what happened and the extent of harm suffered as a result, a medical malpractice plaintiff could be entitled to:
1. Economic Damages: These may include but are not necessarily limited to past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, lost benefits, and/or future diminished earning capacity.
2. Non-Economic Damages: These damages may include but are not necessarily limited to pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium (spousal services, guidance, advice, and counsel).
3. Punitive Damages: In very rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded in New Jersey medical malpractice lawsuits. However, New Jersey has strict standards for granting punitive damages and they are only considered in cases involving willful misconduct or a wanton disregard for the patient’s safety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice in New Jersey
1. What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in New Jersey?
In cases involving adults, you typically have two (2) years from the date that you knew or reasonably should have known of the medical malpractice to file a lawsuit, or two years from the date of death, whichever came first. There are exceptions to this time period for minors and in certain other circumstances notice of a potential claim must be filed with certain entities within ninety (90) days in order to preserve your right to file a lawsuit, so it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to truly establish the legal deadlines associated with your particular case (note this is often a complex process that is not possible without reviewing medical records), and to protect your legal rights.
2. How long does a medical malpractice case take?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the parties involved, the county in which the case is brought, etc. While some cases may resolve faster, a typical New Jersey medical malpractice case can take anywhere from two (2) to five (5) years to resolve. Weiss & Paarz is as aggressive as possible in moving cases forward as quickly as possible without sacrificing the case’s strength. Some factors such as case management deadlines issued by the court or the unavailability of adverse parties and their counsel are unfortunately outside of our control.
3. What is the average medical malpractice settlement in New Jersey?
While we wish we could answer this commonly asked question, the reality is, there is no average settlement. The recoveries achieved across our cases depend primarily on the extent of available insurance coverage for each defendant, the severity of the client’s injury, and the strength of the case on its merits/the medicine. Weiss & Paarz has secured substantial recoveries, often millions of dollars, for clients all over New Jersey.
Our NJ Medical Malpractice Lawyer & Attorney Office Locations
We know that filing a medical malpractice claim can feel like an overwhelming process. To better assist our disabled clients, we have four office locations throughout the state of New Jersey to minimize travel time when and if client meetings are necessary. Consultations and appointments can be scheduled via telephone, Skype, and/or from any of our New Jersey office locations:
- Toms River Office, located at 40 Bey Lea Rd, Building C, Floor 2 Toms River, NJ 08753
- Cherry Hill Office, located at 923 Haddonfield Road, Suite 300, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
- Iselin Office, located at 33 Wood Avenue South Iselin, NJ 08830
- Northfield Office, located at 2600 New Road, Suite A Northfield, NJ 08225
For more locations, check out our Malpractice Attorneys based in Philadelphia!
Directions to Our New Jersey Office Locations
Directions to our Tom’s River Office:
Landmarks near our office: The Goddard School of Toms River and Toms River Intermediate North
From East Brunswick (~40.0 miles):
Head north toward Cranbury Rd/Cranbury South River Rd. Take NJ-18 S, U.S. 9 S, Jackson Mills Rd, N Cooks Bridge Rd and Whitesville Rd. Continue straight and then turn left onto Ocean County 571/Ridgeway Rd/Whitesville Rd. Follow Ocean County 571 for approximately 2 miles to Intermediate N Way. Continue straight and the office will be located on the left.
From Ocean County Airport (~10.0 miles):
Follow Airport Rd and Mule Rd to Pinewald Keswick Rd. Continue on Pinewald Keswick Rd. Take Dover Rd and U.S. 9 N to Intermediate N Way in Toms River. Continue on Intermediate N Way for approximately 0.5 miles and the office will be located on the left.
From North Hanover (~23.7 miles):
Take Monmouth Rd East to Ocean County 571 and continue straight. Follow Ocean County 571 for approximately 2 miles to Intermediate N Way. Continue straight and the office will be located on the left.
From Island Heights (~5.7 miles):
Take West End Ave to NJ-37 W in Toms River. Drive along Ocean County 571 for approximately 5 miles, and the office will be located on the right.
Directions to our Cherry Hill Office:
Landmarks near our office: The Cheesecake Factory, Orangetheory Fitness, Liberty Travel
From Philadelphia (~8.0 miles):
Take Market St and N 5th St/N Independence Mall E to I-676. Continue on I-676. Take US-30 E and NJ-70 E/Marlton Pike W/Rte 70 W to Garden State Blvd in Cherry Hill. Continue on Garden State Blvd for approximately 1 mile and the office will be located on the left.
From Trenton, NJ (~32.0 miles):
Get on NJ-29 S in Hamilton Township from NJ-129 S. Follow I-295 S to NJ-70 W/Marlton Pike East/Rte 70 W in Cherry Hill. Take exit 34 B from I-295 S. Continue on NJ-70 W/Rte 70 W for approximately 3 miles and the office will be located on the right.
From Atlantic City, NJ (60.0 miles):
Take Baltic Ave to Atlantic City Expressway W. Continue on Atlantic City Expressway W for to Gloucester City. Continue onto NJ-42 N, then stay straight to continue onto I-76. Take exit 1D to merge with Crescent Blvd from I-76. Continue on Crescent Blvd for approximately 4 miles, then turn left onto Garden State Blvd. Travel 0.2 miles and the office will be on the left.
From Vineland, NJ (~40.0 miles):
Get on NJ-55 N from W Landis Ave. Turn right to merge with NJ-55 N and continue straight to merge with NJ-42 N. Travel approximately 1 mile, and then stay straight to continue onto I-76. Take exit 1D to merge with Crescent Blvd from I-76. Continue on Crescent Blvd for approximately 4 miles, then turn left onto Garden State Blvd. Travel 0.2 miles and the office will be on the left.
Iselin location:
Directions to Our Iselin Office:
Landmarks near our office: Café Amore, Provident Bank
From Newark, NJ (~18.0 miles):
Take Garden State Pkwy in Union from NJ-21 S and US-22 W. Follow Garden State Pkwy to S Wood Ave in Woodbridge Township. Take exit 131 from Garden State Pkwy. Continue on S Wood Ave for approximately 1 mile. The office will be located on the left.
From New Brunswick (~14.0 miles):
Get on I-95 N from Suydam St, George St and NJ-18 S. Continue on I-95 N, then take exit 11 for Garden State Parkway. Take exit 131A toward S Wood Ave. Continue on S Wood Ave for about 1 mile to our office, located on the left.
From Chester, NJ (~46.0 miles):
Get on I-287 S in Bedminster from US-206 S. Follow I-78 E and Garden State Pkwy to S Wood Ave in Woodbridge Township. Continue on Garden State Pkwy to exit 131 toward Metropark. Take S Wood Ave for approximately 1 mile, and the office will be located ahead on the left.
From Perth Amboy, NJ (~7.0 miles):
Head north on High St toward Smith St, then turn left onto Fayette St. Merge with the Garden State Parkway, and continue straight for approximately 2 miles. Take exit 131A toward S Wood Ave, continue for approximately 1 mile, and the office will be located ahead on the left.
Directions to Our Northfield Office:
Landmarks near our office: Wawa, Northfield Animal Hospital, Nick’s Pizza
From Atlantic City (~10.2 miles):
Take the Atlantic City Expressway West to U.S 9 S/N New Road in Pleasantville. Take exit 5 from Atlantic City Expressway West. Turn left onto U.S. 9 S/N New Road. Continue for about 4 miles and the office will be on the left.
From Somers Point (~4.0 miles):
Head north on U.S 9 N/New Rd toward Pennsylvania Ave. Continue straight past Mainland Regional High School, and the office will be on the right, just before the wawa.
From Philadelphia (~57.5 miles):
Take Market Street and N 5th St/N Independence Mall East to I-676. Follow I-676, NJ-42 S and Atlantic City Expressway. Take Exit 7-S toward Pleasantville/Northfield/Linwood/Somers Point. Keep left and follow signs for Cape May and merge onto Garden State Parkway. Take exit 36 East to Tilton Road. Continue to Tilton Road Drive then turn right onto New Road in Northfield. Travel straight for one mile until you reach the office, located on your left.
From Tom’s River (~50.0 miles):
Take W Water Street and Lakehurst Road to U.S 9 S. Follow Garden State Parkway to Tilton Road in Egg Harbor Township. Take Exit 36 from Garden State Parkway. Continue straight on Tilton Road for about 2 miles, then take a right onto New Road. The office will be located on your left.