Medical malpractice law addresses situations where a healthcare provider's negligence leads to patient injury or harm. To establish a claim, four key elements must be proven: a duty of care existed, this duty was breached through substandard medical practice, this breach directly caused the injury, and the injury resulted in damages. This can include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, improper treatment, or failure to inform about risks. Each state sets its own statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, often ranging from one to three years from the time the injury is discovered or should have been discovered. Compensation can cover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and sometimes punitive damages if the conduct was egregiously negligent. Due to the complexity of medical details and legal standards, these cases often require expert testimony and can benefit greatly from legal representation specialized in medical malpractice.