{"id":58881,"date":"2024-03-26T04:21:44","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T04:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ikz.emg.mybluehost.me\/?page_id=58881"},"modified":"2026-05-13T21:55:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:55:04","slug":"medicalmalpractice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scrantonlawfirm.com\/es\/medicalmalpractice\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical Malpractice Lawyer California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n      \"itemListElement\": [\n        {\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/scrantonlawfirm.com\/\"},\n        {\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Practice Areas\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/scrantonlawfirm.com\/practice-areas\/\"},\n        {\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Medical Malpractice Lawyer\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/scrantonlawfirm.com\/medicalmalpractice\/\"}\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"LegalService\",\n      \"name\": \"Scranton Law Firm \u2014 California Medical Malpractice Lawyers\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/scrantonlawfirm.com\/medicalmalpractice\/\",\n      \"telephone\": \"+1-800-707-0707\",\n      \"areaServed\": [\n        {\"@type\": \"State\", \"name\": \"California\"},\n        {\"@type\": \"City\", \"name\": \"Sacramento\"},\n        {\"@type\": \"City\", \"name\": \"Concord\"},\n        {\"@type\": \"City\", \"name\": \"San Jose\"},\n        {\"@type\": \"City\", \"name\": \"San Francisco\"},\n        {\"@type\": \"City\", \"name\": \"Fresno\"}\n      ],\n      \n      \"priceRange\": \"Contingency Fee \u2014 No Win, No Fee\",\n      \"address\": {\n        \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n        \"streetAddress\": \"2450 Stanwell Dr\",\n        \"addressLocality\": \"Concord\",\n        \"addressRegion\": \"CA\",\n        \"postalCode\": \"94520\",\n        \"addressCountry\": \"US\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in California?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Under MICRA (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 340.5), you generally have 3 years from the date of injury OR 1 year from the date you discovered \u2014 or reasonably should have discovered \u2014 the injury, whichever comes first. If a foreign object was left in your body, or if the healthcare provider concealed the error, different rules apply. For malpractice at a government-owned hospital or clinic, you must file a government tort claim within 6 months (Gov. Code \u00a7 911.2) before you can sue.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Is there a cap on medical malpractice damages in California?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Yes \u2014 under MICRA (Cal. Civ. Code \u00a7 3333.2 as amended by AB 35, signed 2022), non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in medical malpractice cases are capped. For injuries occurring after January 1, 2023, the cap is $350,000 (rising annually to $750,000 by 2034). For wrongful death cases, the cap started at $500,000 in 2023 and rises to $1 million by 2034. There is NO cap on economic damages \u2014 medical bills, lost wages, future care costs are fully recoverable.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How much does it cost to hire a medical malpractice lawyer?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Nothing out of pocket. Scranton Law works on contingency \u2014 our fee is a percentage of the recovery, paid only if we win. California law limits contingency fees in medical malpractice cases under MICRA. You will never owe us anything if we don't recover.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What qualifies as medical malpractice in California?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider \u2014 doctor, surgeon, nurse, hospital, pharmacist \u2014 deviates from the accepted standard of care and that deviation causes harm. Common examples include: surgical errors (wrong site, retained instruments), misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of cancer or serious conditions, medication errors, anesthesia mistakes, birth injuries (cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy), and failure to obtain informed consent.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Do I need a medical expert to pursue a malpractice case?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Yes. California requires expert testimony to establish both the standard of care and how the defendant deviated from it. This is a core element of any medical malpractice claim. At Scranton Law we work with a network of board-certified physician consultants who review your records and provide the opinions necessary to support your case.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"The hospital says I signed a consent form \u2014 does that waive my rights?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"No. Informed consent forms cover risks inherent to a procedure performed correctly. They do not shield a provider from liability for negligence \u2014 performing the procedure incorrectly, using the wrong instrument, operating on the wrong site, or failing to monitor properly. If the consent form covered a known risk and that risk materialized without any negligence, that is a different analysis \u2014 but the form alone does not end your case.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is MICRA and how does it affect my case?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"MICRA \u2014 the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (Cal. Civ. Code \u00a7 3333.2) \u2014 is California's medical malpractice reform law. It caps non-economic damages (pain, suffering, emotional distress) and places specific rules on contingency fees and periodic payments. AB 35 (2022) substantially raised the cap and indexed it to inflation, giving victims significantly more recovery potential than under the old $250,000 fixed cap.\"\n          }\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Attorney\",\n      \"name\": \"Scranton Law Firm\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/scrantonlawfirm.com\/\",\n      \"telephone\": \"+1-800-707-0707\",\n      \"knowsLanguage\": [\"English\", \"Spanish\"],\n      \"areaServed\": [\"California\", \"Sacramento\", \"Concord\", \"San Jose\", \"Fresno\"],\n      \"address\": {\n        \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n        \"streetAddress\": \"2450 Stanwell Dr\",\n        \"addressLocality\": \"Concord\",\n        \"addressRegion\": \"CA\",\n        \"postalCode\": \"94520\",\n        \"addressCountry\": \"US\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n<style>\n  :root{--slf-red:#C02C26;--slf-gold:#D4AF37;--slf-dark:#0f0f0f;--slf-gray:#555555;--slf-light-gray:#f8f8f8;--slf-border:#e0e0e0;--font-main:inherit;}\n  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20px;background:var(--slf-dark);text-align:center;}\n  .slf-resource-cta-wrap{max-width:680px;margin:0 auto;}\n  .slf-resource-cta-rule{width:60px;height:3px;background:var(--slf-gold);border:none;margin:0 auto 28px;}\n  .slf-resource-cta h2{font-size:1.9rem;font-weight:900;color:#fff!important;margin-bottom:14px;line-height:1.2;}\n  .slf-resource-cta-sub{font-size:1.05rem;color:#888;margin-bottom:28px;}\n  .slf-resource-cta-phone{font-size:1.8rem;font-weight:900;margin-bottom:24px;}\n  .slf-resource-cta-phone a{color:var(--slf-gold);text-decoration:none;}\n  .slf-resource-cta-btn{display:inline-block;background:var(--slf-red);color:#fff!important;padding:17px 48px;border-radius:6px;font-weight:800;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1px;text-decoration:none;transition:background .3s,transform .3s,box-shadow .3s;}\n  .slf-resource-cta-btn:hover{background:#a0241f;transform:translateY(-2px);box-shadow:0 8px 25px rgba(192,44,38,.3);}\n  .slf-resource-cta-trust{font-size:.84rem;color:#666;margin-top:18px;}\n\n  @media(max-width:900px){.slf-process{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}}\n  @media(max-width:768px){\n    .slf-deadline-cards{grid-template-columns:1fr;}\n    .slf-resource-links-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}\n    .slf-hero-ctas{flex-direction:column;}\n    .slf-btn-primary,.slf-btn-secondary{text-align:center;}\n    .slf-process{grid-template-columns:1fr;}\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"slf-resource-page\">\n\n<!-- HERO -->\n<section class=\"slf-resource-hero\">\n  <div class=\"slf-resource-hero-wrap\">\n    <nav class=\"slf-resource-breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\n      <a href=\"\/\">Home<\/a><span>\u203a<\/span>\n      <a href=\"\/practice-areas\/\">Practice Areas<\/a><span>\u203a<\/span>\n      <span>Medical Malpractice<\/span>\n    <\/nav>\n    <div class=\"slf-resource-hero-pill\">California Medical Malpractice<\/div>\n    <h1>Medical Malpractice Lawyer California<\/h1>\n    <p class=\"slf-resource-hero-sub\">Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, birth injuries \u2014 when a healthcare provider&rsquo;s negligence harms you, you deserve answers and full compensation. 50+ years of experience. $1 billion+ recovered. No fee unless we win.<\/p>\n    <div class=\"slf-hero-ctas\">\n      <a href=\"tel:+18007070707\" class=\"slf-btn-primary\">CALL NOW: 1-800-707-0707<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#case-eval\" class=\"slf-btn-secondary\">Free Case Evaluation<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"slf-trust-line\"><em>100% Confidential &middot; No Fees Unless We Win &middot; Available 24\/7 &middot; Bilingual (English\/Spanish)<\/em><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<!-- QUICK ANSWER -->\n<div class=\"slf-quick-answer\">\n  <div class=\"slf-quick-answer-inner\">\n    <div class=\"slf-quick-answer-label\">\n      <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.48 10 10 10 10-4.48 10-10S17.52 2 12 2zm1 15h-2v-6h2v6zm0-8h-2V7h2v2z\"\/><\/svg>\n      Key Facts for California Medical Malpractice Claims\n    <\/div>\n    <p>California&rsquo;s MICRA law sets a <strong>3-year \/ 1-year discovery deadline<\/strong> (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. &sect; 340.5) \u2014 missing it ends your case permanently. The 2022 AB&nbsp;35 reform raised the non-economic damages cap from $250,000 to <strong>$350,000 (rising to $750,000 by 2034)<\/strong>. There is <strong>no cap on economic damages<\/strong> \u2014 your medical bills, lost wages, and future care costs are fully recoverable. Scranton Law represents malpractice victims throughout Northern California on a contingency basis. <strong>You pay nothing unless we win.<\/strong> Call <strong>1-800-707-0707<\/strong> any time, 24\/7.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- MAIN CONTENT -->\n<article class=\"slf-resource-content\">\n  <div class=\"slf-resource-content-wrap\">\n\n    <h2>What Is Medical Malpractice in California?<\/h2>\n    <p>Medical malpractice occurs when a licensed healthcare provider \u2014 a doctor, surgeon, nurse, pharmacist, anesthesiologist, or hospital \u2014 fails to meet the accepted standard of care in the medical community, and that failure causes harm to a patient. The standard of care is not perfection; it is the level of skill and care that a reasonably competent provider in the same specialty would use under the same circumstances.<\/p>\n    <p>The key distinction from a bad outcome is <strong>negligence<\/strong>. Medicine involves risk, and not every bad result is malpractice. But when a provider makes an error that a reasonably competent peer would not have made \u2014 or fails to act when action was clearly required \u2014 and that error causes injury, that is the foundation of a malpractice claim.<\/p>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-deadline-cards\">\n      <div class=\"slf-deadline-card urgent\">\n        <div class=\"time\">50+<\/div>\n        <div class=\"unit\">Years<\/div>\n        <h4>Experience<\/h4>\n        <p>Representing California injury victims since the 1970s<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-deadline-card\">\n        <div class=\"time\">$1B+<\/div>\n        <div class=\"unit\">Recovered<\/div>\n        <h4>For Our Clients<\/h4>\n        <p>Settlements and verdicts across California<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-deadline-card\">\n        <div class=\"time\">24\/7<\/div>\n        <div class=\"unit\">Available<\/div>\n        <h4>Free Consultation<\/h4>\n        <p>Call 1-800-707-0707 any time, day or night<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <h2>Common Types of Medical Malpractice<\/h2>\n    <p>Medical errors take many forms. These are the categories we handle most frequently in California:<\/p>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-checklist\">\n      <div class=\"slf-checklist-item\">\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-icon icon-medical\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M19 3H5c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v14c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h14c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V5c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm-7 3c1.93 0 3.5 1.57 3.5 3.5S13.93 13 12 13s-3.5-1.57-3.5-3.5S10.07 6 12 6zm7 13H5v-.23c0-.62.28-1.2.76-1.58C7.47 15.82 9.64 15 12 15s4.53.82 6.24 2.19c.48.38.76.97.76 1.58V19z\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-content\">\n          <h4>Surgical Errors<\/h4>\n          <p>Wrong-site surgery, retained instruments or sponges, unintended organ damage, post-operative complications from negligent care. These are some of the most serious and well-documented forms of malpractice.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-checklist-item\">\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-icon icon-alert\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.48 10 10 10 10-4.48 10-10S17.52 2 12 2zm1 15h-2v-2h2v2zm0-4h-2V7h2v6z\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-content\">\n          <h4>Misdiagnosis &amp; Delayed Diagnosis<\/h4>\n          <p>Failure to diagnose cancer, heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, appendicitis, or infection in time for effective treatment. Delayed diagnosis often means the condition progresses to a stage where it is no longer curable.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-checklist-item\">\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-icon icon-doc\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M14 2H6c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L4 20c0 1.1.89 2 1.99 2H18c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V8l-6-6zm2 16H8v-2h8v2zm0-4H8v-2h8v2zm-3-5V3.5L18.5 9H13z\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-content\">\n          <h4>Medication &amp; Prescription Errors<\/h4>\n          <p>Wrong drug, wrong dose, dangerous drug interactions that were not flagged, or failure to account for a patient&rsquo;s known allergies. These errors can occur at the prescribing, dispensing, or administration stage.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-checklist-item\">\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-icon icon-pin\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12 2C8.13 2 5 5.13 5 9c0 5.25 7 13 7 13s7-7.75 7-13c0-3.87-3.13-7-7-7zm0 9.5c-1.38 0-2.5-1.12-2.5-2.5s1.12-2.5 2.5-2.5 2.5 1.12 2.5 2.5-1.12 2.5-2.5 2.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-content\">\n          <h4>Birth Injuries<\/h4>\n          <p>Cerebral palsy, Erb&rsquo;s palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and other injuries caused by negligent monitoring during labor, improper use of forceps or vacuum, or delayed emergency C-section decisions. These cases often involve lifetime care costs.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-checklist-item\">\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-icon icon-dark\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M11.5 2C6.81 2 3 5.81 3 10.5S6.81 19 11.5 19h.5v3c4.86-2.34 8-7 8-11.5C20 5.81 16.19 2 11.5 2zm1 14.5h-2v-2h2v2zm0-4h-2c0-3.25 3-3 3-5 0-1.1-.9-2-2-2s-2 .9-2 2h-2c0-2.21 1.79-4 4-4s4 1.79 4 4c0 2.5-3 2.75-3 5z\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-content\">\n          <h4>Anesthesia Errors<\/h4>\n          <p>Failure to review patient history, administering the wrong dose, inadequate monitoring during a procedure, or delayed response to anesthesia complications. Anesthesia errors can cause permanent brain damage, cardiac arrest, or death.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-checklist-item\">\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-icon icon-money\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M11.8 10.9c-2.27-.59-3-1.2-3-2.15 0-1.09 1.01-1.85 2.7-1.85 1.78 0 2.44.85 2.5 2.1h2.21c-.07-1.72-1.12-3.3-3.21-3.81V3h-3v2.16c-1.94.42-3.5 1.68-3.5 3.61 0 2.31 1.91 3.46 4.7 4.13 2.5.6 3 1.48 3 2.41 0 .69-.49 1.79-2.7 1.79-2.06 0-2.87-.92-2.98-2.1h-2.2c.12 2.19 1.76 3.42 3.68 3.83V21h3v-2.15c1.95-.37 3.5-1.5 3.5-3.55 0-2.84-2.43-3.81-4.7-4.4z\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-content\">\n          <h4>Failure to Obtain Informed Consent<\/h4>\n          <p>A provider who performs a procedure without explaining the material risks, alternatives, and expected outcomes \u2014 or who proceeds despite a patient&rsquo;s refusal \u2014 may be liable even if the procedure itself was performed correctly.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <h2>California&rsquo;s MICRA Law: What You Need to Know<\/h2>\n    <p>MICRA &mdash; the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act &mdash; is a set of California statutes that governs medical malpractice cases. It is unlike the rules in most other states, and it directly affects your case in three ways:<\/p>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-process\">\n      <div class=\"slf-process-step\">\n        <span class=\"step-num\">01<\/span>\n        <h4>Statute of Limitations<\/h4>\n        <p>Cal. Code Civ. Proc. &sect; 340.5: You have the <strong>earlier of<\/strong> 3 years from the injury date or 1 year from when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the harm. Missing this deadline bars your case entirely.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-process-step\">\n        <span class=\"step-num\">02<\/span>\n        <h4>Non-Economic Damages Cap<\/h4>\n        <p>Cal. Civ. Code &sect; 3333.2: Pain-and-suffering damages are capped &mdash; $350,000 for injuries after Jan 1, 2023, rising to $750,000 by 2034 for non-death cases. Economic damages (medical costs, lost income, future care) have <strong>no cap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-process-step\">\n        <span class=\"step-num\">03<\/span>\n        <h4>Contingency Fee Limits<\/h4>\n        <p>Cal. Bus. &amp; Prof. Code &sect; 6146: Attorney contingency fees in medical malpractice cases are capped on a sliding scale. You will never be charged more than the legal limit, and we explain exactly what fee applies before you sign anything.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-warning\">\n      <div class=\"slf-warning-label\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M1 21h22L12 2 1 21zm12-3h-2v-2h2v2zm0-4h-2v-4h2v4z\"\/><\/svg>\n        The Clock Starts Earlier Than You Think\n      <\/div>\n      <p>The 1-year discovery clock begins when you <em>reasonably should have known<\/em> something went wrong &mdash; not when a second doctor confirms it. If you had symptoms suggesting a missed diagnosis, or were told by a nurse that &ldquo;something went wrong,&rdquo; that may start the clock even if you didn&rsquo;t have a formal second opinion yet. Do not wait to call us.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <h2>What Damages Can You Recover in a California Malpractice Case?<\/h2>\n    <p>A successful malpractice claim can recover two categories of damages:<\/p>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-checklist\">\n      <div class=\"slf-checklist-item\">\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-icon icon-money\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M11.8 10.9c-2.27-.59-3-1.2-3-2.15 0-1.09 1.01-1.85 2.7-1.85 1.78 0 2.44.85 2.5 2.1h2.21c-.07-1.72-1.12-3.3-3.21-3.81V3h-3v2.16c-1.94.42-3.5 1.68-3.5 3.61 0 2.31 1.91 3.46 4.7 4.13 2.5.6 3 1.48 3 2.41 0 .69-.49 1.79-2.7 1.79-2.06 0-2.87-.92-2.98-2.1h-2.2c.12 2.19 1.76 3.42 3.68 3.83V21h3v-2.15c1.95-.37 3.5-1.5 3.5-3.55 0-2.84-2.43-3.81-4.7-4.4z\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-content\">\n          <h4>Economic Damages (No Cap)<\/h4>\n          <p>All past and future medical bills, costs of corrective surgery or ongoing treatment, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, in-home care and rehabilitation costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses caused by the malpractice. These are uncapped and fully recoverable.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-checklist-item\">\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-icon icon-alert\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.48 10 10 10 10-4.48 10-10S17.52 2 12 2zm1 15h-2v-2h2v2zm0-4h-2V7h2v6z\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-checklist-content\">\n          <h4>Non-Economic Damages (MICRA Cap)<\/h4>\n          <p>Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. These are capped under MICRA. For injuries occurring after January 1, 2023: $350,000, rising annually to $750,000 by 2034. For wrongful death: $500,000 in 2023, rising to $1,000,000 by 2034.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-pro-tip\">\n      <div class=\"slf-pro-tip-label\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9 21c0 .55.45 1 1 1h4c.55 0 1-.45 1-1v-1H9v1zm3-19C8.14 2 5 5.14 5 9c0 2.38 1.19 4.47 3 5.74V17c0 .55.45 1 1 1h6c.55 0 1-.45 1-1v-2.26c1.81-1.27 3-3.36 3-5.74 0-3.86-3.14-7-7-7z\"\/><\/svg>\n        In High-Value Cases, Economic Damages Often Dwarf the Cap\n      <\/div>\n      <p>For a patient left with permanent disability or requiring a lifetime of corrective care, economic damages alone can exceed $1 million &mdash; $2 million &mdash; or more. The MICRA cap on non-economic damages is a real constraint in catastrophic cases, but it does not cap the dollars that matter most in high-severity claims.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <h2>How a California Medical Malpractice Claim Works<\/h2>\n    <p>Medical malpractice cases follow a distinct process that differs from other personal injury claims. Here is what to expect:<\/p>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-timeline\">\n      <div class=\"slf-timeline-step\">\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-marker\"><span>1<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-content\">\n          <h4>Free Case Evaluation<\/h4>\n          <p>We review your medical records and the circumstances of your care to assess whether a deviation from the standard of care occurred and caused harm. This evaluation is free and confidential.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-timeline-step\">\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-marker\"><span>2<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-content\">\n          <h4>Expert Review &amp; Certificate of Merit<\/h4>\n          <p>California requires that before a malpractice lawsuit is filed, the attorney must have consulted with a qualified medical expert who confirms the merit of the claim (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. &sect; 411.35). We work with board-certified specialists in the relevant field.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-timeline-step\">\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-marker\"><span>3<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-content\">\n          <h4>90-Day Pre-Suit Notice<\/h4>\n          <p>California requires a minimum 90-day written notice to the defendant healthcare provider before filing suit (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. &sect; 364). This period is sometimes used for early settlement discussions.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-timeline-step\">\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-marker\"><span>4<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-content\">\n          <h4>Investigation &amp; Discovery<\/h4>\n          <p>We gather all relevant medical records, depose treating physicians and experts, and build the factual record showing exactly where the standard of care was breached and how that breach caused your injury.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-timeline-step\">\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-marker\"><span>5<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-timeline-content\">\n          <h4>Settlement or Trial<\/h4>\n          <p>Most medical malpractice cases resolve in settlement. When the defendant or their insurer will not offer a fair amount, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial before a jury. We do not pressure clients to settle short.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-info-box\">\n      <div class=\"slf-info-box-header\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12 2l3.09 6.26L22 9.27l-5 4.87 1.18 6.88L12 17.77l-6.18 3.25L7 14.14 2 9.27l6.91-1.01L12 2z\"\/><\/svg>\n        <h3>Claims Against Government Hospitals &amp; Clinics<\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n      <p>If your care was provided at a county hospital, UC Health facility, a federally funded community health center, or any other government-owned entity, different rules apply. You must file a government tort claim within <strong>6 months<\/strong> of the date of injury (Gov. Code &sect; 911.2) before you can file a lawsuit. Missing this separate deadline can bar your case even if the standard 3-year\/1-year MICRA period has not expired.<\/p>\n      <p>If you received care at UC Davis Medical Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, any California state prison medical facility, or a VA hospital, <strong>call us immediately &mdash; the government claim deadline may be running right now.<\/strong><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n<!-- FORM SECTION -->\n<section class=\"slf-form-section\" id=\"case-eval\">\n  <div class=\"slf-form-wrap\">\n    <h2>Get a Free Medical Malpractice Case Evaluation<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"slf-form-sub\">Tell us what happened. A member of our team will review your situation &mdash; confidentially and at no cost to you &mdash; and let you know if you have a case. No obligation. No pressure.<\/p>\n    <iframe\n      src=\"https:\/\/api.leadconnectorhq.com\/widget\/form\/kw4XfvQBCnQJhsVnG2g3\"\n      style=\"width:100%;height:800px;border:none;border-radius:0px\"\n      id=\"inline-kw4XfvQBCnQJhsVnG2g3\"\n      data-layout=\"{'id':'INLINE'}\"\n      data-trigger-type=\"alwaysShow\"\n      data-trigger-value=\"\"\n      data-activation-type=\"alwaysActivated\"\n      data-activation-value=\"\"\n      data-deactivation-type=\"neverDeactivate\"\n      data-deactivation-value=\"\"\n      data-form-name=\"Home Page\"\n      data-height=\"656\"\n      data-layout-iframe-id=\"inline-kw4XfvQBCnQJhsVnG2g3\"\n      data-form-id=\"kw4XfvQBCnQJhsVnG2g3\"\n      title=\"Home Page\"\n    ><\/iframe>\n    <script src=\"https:\/\/link.msgsndr.com\/js\/form_embed.js\"><\/script>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<!-- FAQ -->\n<section class=\"slf-resource-faq\">\n  <div class=\"slf-resource-faq-wrap\">\n    <h2>Medical Malpractice FAQ<\/h2>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-faq-item\">\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-question\" onclick=\"this.parentElement.classList.toggle('is-open')\">\n        How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in California?\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M7 10l5 5 5-5z\"\/><\/svg>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-answer\">\n        <p>Under MICRA (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. &sect; 340.5), the deadline is the <strong>earlier of<\/strong>: (1) 3 years from the date of injury, OR (2) 1 year from the date you discovered &mdash; or reasonably should have discovered &mdash; the harm. For injuries at government-owned facilities, you must also file a government tort claim within 6 months (Gov. Code &sect; 911.2) before you can sue. If a foreign object was left inside your body, a different &ldquo;continuous treatment&rdquo; rule may apply. Do not wait to find out which deadline applies to your situation.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-faq-item\">\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-question\" onclick=\"this.parentElement.classList.toggle('is-open')\">\n        Is there a cap on medical malpractice damages in California?\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M7 10l5 5 5-5z\"\/><\/svg>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-answer\">\n        <p>Yes &mdash; but only on <em>non-economic<\/em> damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). Under MICRA as amended by AB 35 (2022): for injuries on or after January 1, 2023, the cap is $350,000, rising annually to $750,000 by 2034 for non-death cases. For wrongful death: $500,000 in 2023, rising to $1,000,000 by 2034. There is <strong>no cap<\/strong> on economic damages &mdash; medical bills, lost wages, future care, and out-of-pocket losses are fully recoverable.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-faq-item\">\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-question\" onclick=\"this.parentElement.classList.toggle('is-open')\">\n        How much does it cost to hire a medical malpractice lawyer?\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M7 10l5 5 5-5z\"\/><\/svg>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-answer\">\n        <p>Nothing out of pocket. Scranton Law handles medical malpractice cases on a contingency fee basis &mdash; our fee comes out of the recovery, only if we win. Under Cal. Bus. &amp; Prof. Code &sect; 6146, contingency fees in medical malpractice cases are capped on a sliding scale. We will explain exactly what fee applies before you sign anything. If we don&rsquo;t recover, you owe us nothing.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-faq-item\">\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-question\" onclick=\"this.parentElement.classList.toggle('is-open')\">\n        What qualifies as medical malpractice in California?\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M7 10l5 5 5-5z\"\/><\/svg>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-answer\">\n        <p>Medical malpractice requires three elements: (1) the provider owed you a duty of care, (2) they breached the standard of care &mdash; did something a reasonably competent provider in that specialty would not have done, or failed to do something they should have done, and (3) that breach caused your injury. Common examples: wrong-site surgery, failure to diagnose cancer or a heart attack in time, medication errors, birth injuries, retained surgical instruments, and anesthesia mistakes.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-faq-item\">\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-question\" onclick=\"this.parentElement.classList.toggle('is-open')\">\n        Do I need a medical expert to pursue a malpractice case?\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M7 10l5 5 5-5z\"\/><\/svg>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-answer\">\n        <p>Yes. California requires that the attorney consult a qualified medical expert before filing (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. &sect; 411.35) and expert testimony is essential at trial to establish both what the standard of care required and how the defendant deviated from it. We maintain relationships with board-certified specialists in surgery, oncology, obstetrics, anesthesiology, and other fields who review cases for us.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-faq-item\">\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-question\" onclick=\"this.parentElement.classList.toggle('is-open')\">\n        The hospital says I signed a consent form &mdash; does that waive my rights?\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M7 10l5 5 5-5z\"\/><\/svg>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-answer\">\n        <p>No. Informed consent covers known risks of a procedure performed correctly &mdash; it does not protect a provider from liability for negligence. If the surgeon performed the procedure incorrectly, operated on the wrong site, or failed to monitor you properly, the consent form is not a shield. Whether a result was a &ldquo;known risk&rdquo; versus a consequence of negligence is often the central question in these cases &mdash; that is why an attorney review matters.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slf-faq-item\">\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-question\" onclick=\"this.parentElement.classList.toggle('is-open')\">\n        What is MICRA and how does it affect my case?\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M7 10l5 5 5-5z\"\/><\/svg>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"slf-faq-answer\">\n        <p>MICRA is the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act, a set of California laws enacted in 1975. It governs the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims, caps non-economic damages, limits contingency fees, and allows for periodic payment of large awards. AB 35, signed in 2022, was the first major reform since MICRA was enacted &mdash; it substantially increased the non-economic damages cap and indexed it to inflation, giving victims significantly more recovery potential than under the old fixed $250,000 cap.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<!-- RELATED LINKS -->\n<section class=\"slf-resource-links\">\n  <div class=\"slf-resource-links-wrap\">\n    <h2>Related Practice Areas<\/h2>\n    <div class=\"slf-resource-links-grid\">\n      <a href=\"\/car-accident-lawyer\/\" class=\"slf-resource-link-card\">\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-label practice\">Practice Area<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-title\">Car Accident Lawyers<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-desc\">Representing injury victims in collisions throughout Northern California. No fee unless we win.<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-cta\">Learn More &rsaquo;<\/div>\n      <\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/\" class=\"slf-resource-link-card\">\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-label practice\">Practice Area<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-title\">Wrongful Death Lawyers<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-desc\">When negligence takes a life, surviving family members have legal rights. We handle these cases statewide.<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-cta\">Learn More &rsaquo;<\/div>\n      <\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/slip-and-fall-lawyer\/\" class=\"slf-resource-link-card\">\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-label practice\">Practice Area<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-title\">Slip &amp; Fall Lawyers<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-desc\">Premises liability cases including falls in hospitals, clinics, care facilities, and other commercial properties.<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-cta\">Learn More &rsaquo;<\/div>\n      <\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/contact\/\" class=\"slf-resource-link-card\">\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-label local\">Free Consultation<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-title\">Contact Scranton Law Firm<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-desc\">Available 24\/7. We come to you &mdash; your home, hospital, or office. No fees unless we win.<\/div>\n        <div class=\"slf-resource-link-cta\">Get in Touch &rsaquo;<\/div>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<!-- CTA -->\n<section class=\"slf-resource-cta\">\n  <div class=\"slf-resource-cta-wrap\">\n    <hr class=\"slf-resource-cta-rule\">\n    <h2>Injured by Medical Negligence? We Can Help.<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"slf-resource-cta-sub\">Your case evaluation is free. You pay nothing unless we win. We&rsquo;re available 24\/7.<\/p>\n    <div class=\"slf-resource-cta-phone\"><a href=\"tel:+18007070707\">1-800-707-0707<\/a><\/div>\n    <a href=\"tel:+18007070707\" class=\"slf-resource-cta-btn\">Call Now &mdash; Free Consultation<\/a>\n    <p class=\"slf-resource-cta-trust\">100% Confidential &middot; No Upfront Cost &middot; 50+ Years Experience &middot; $1 Billion+ Recovered<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home\u203a Practice Areas\u203a Medical Malpractice California Medical Malpractice Medical Malpractice Lawyer California Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, birth injuries \u2014 when a healthcare provider&rsquo;s negligence harms you, you deserve answers and full compensation. 50+ years of experience. $1 billion+ recovered. No fee unless we win. CALL NOW: 1-800-707-0707 Free Case Evaluation 100% Confidential &middot; No [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-58881","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.7.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Injured by a doctor&#039;s negligence? Scranton Law&#039;s California medical malpractice lawyers fight for full compensation \u2014 surgical errors, misdiagnosis, birth injuries. No fee unless we win. 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