UCLA Health is one of California’s most well-known hospital systems. Thousands of patients rely on UCLA Health’s doctors, nurses, and medical staff for high-quality treatment every year. However, like any major healthcare institution, mistakes can still happen. When these medical errors result in serious harm to a patient, it may be considered medical malpractice.
Being a victim of medical malpractice at UCLA Health can turn your life upside down. It can affect your health, your job, your emotions, and even your relationships. In such situations, speaking with a UCLA Health medical malpractice lawyer can be one of the most important steps you take. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, collect evidence, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
The law allows victims to seek compensation to help cover the losses and suffering caused by medical errors. Below are the main types of compensation you might be able to receive if you or a loved one has suffered because of UCLA Health malpractice.
Medical Expenses
One of the most common types of compensation is for medical costs. If a doctor’s mistake at UCLA Health made your condition worse, you may need more treatments, surgeries, or medications to fix the problem. You can receive compensation for all the medical bills you’ve already paid, as well as any future care you’ll need. This includes hospital stays, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and even home care if your mobility is limited.
Lost Wages
When you’re injured due to malpractice, it often means missing work. Some patients need to take weeks or months off to recover. In severe cases, you might not be able to return to your old job at all. Compensation for lost wages includes both the income you lost while recovering and any future earnings you might lose if your ability to work is permanently affected.
Pain and Suffering
Not all injuries are visible. Some harm affects you deeply inside. Compensation for pain and suffering covers both physical pain and emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, fear, and loss of comfort. These damages recognize that your experience goes beyond financial losses and impacts your overall well-being.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
When a medical mistake changes your health or abilities, it can also change how you live your life. Maybe you can no longer play your favorite sport, travel, or spend time with loved ones like before. Compensation for loss of enjoyment acknowledges the emotional toll and diminished quality of life that result from medical negligence.
Wrongful Death Compensation
In the most tragic cases, malpractice can lead to a patient’s death. When this happens, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. This type of claim can cover funeral and burial costs, medical expenses prior to death, the income the deceased would have earned, and the emotional suffering caused by losing a loved one.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from other types of compensation. These are not meant to cover losses but to punish UCLA Health or the responsible medical professional for extremely reckless or intentional misconduct. Courts may award punitive damages to deter similar negligent behavior in the future, though they are relatively rare.
Long-Term Care Costs
Some malpractice victims need lifelong care due to permanent injuries. This may include physical therapy, assistive devices such as wheelchairs, or ongoing in-home nursing care. If you can no longer take care of yourself, you may be entitled to compensation that ensures you receive the necessary long-term support and live as comfortably as possible.
Emotional Distress
Being harmed by someone you trusted for medical help can leave lasting emotional wounds. Many victims of medical malpractice at UCLA Health suffer from anxiety, depression, and fear of medical treatment. Emotional distress compensation helps account for this psychological suffering and its impact on your life.