Medical Negligence in Arizona
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and a patient is harmed as a result. Common examples include misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of cancer and heart conditions, surgical errors, medication and anesthesia mistakes, birth injuries, and hospital-acquired infections. These cases arise in Arizona's large hospital systems, surgical centers, clinics, and nursing facilities.
What Arizona Law Requires
Arizona medical malpractice claims require expert testimony establishing the standard of care and how the provider violated it. Under A.R.S. § 12-2603, a qualifying expert affidavit is generally required early in the case. Arizona's constitution prohibits caps on damages, so a legitimate catastrophic claim is not artificially limited, but these cases are complex and demand thorough preparation and qualified medical experts.
Compensation in Malpractice Cases
Victims of medical negligence may recover past and future medical expenses, lost income and earning capacity, the cost of long-term and corrective care, and non-economic damages for pain, disfigurement, and diminished quality of life. In cases of egregious conduct, punitive damages may apply. Birth injury cases in particular can require lifelong care that must be fully valued.
Acting Within Arizona's Deadlines
Arizona's two-year statute of limitations generally runs from when the patient knew or should have known of the injury and its cause, a nuance that matters in misdiagnosis cases. Special rules apply to minors and to claims against public hospitals. Because these cases require early expert review and evidence preservation, contact us promptly for a free, confidential evaluation.
Injured in Arizona? Get a free, confidential case review today. There's no obligation, and you pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Arizona generally requires a qualified expert to establish the standard of care and how it was breached, usually through an affidavit early in the case.
Generally two years from when you knew or should have known of the injury and its cause, with special rules for minors and public hospitals.
Nothing upfront. Our network attorneys advance the costs of experts and are paid only if they win your case.
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Arizona attorney.