Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Mill Valley

Medical malpractice injures and kills more people annually than auto accidents, breast cancer, and AIDS combined. If a reckless doctor or medical facility injures you or a loved one, talk to an experienced medical malpractice attorney at Zinn Law Firm in Mill Valley.

Call our Mill Valley medical malpractice lawyers at Zinn Law Firm today at (415) 292-4100. We will review your case for free and determine the best legal options. You can receive compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

Why Choose Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers? 

Zinn Law Firm is a highly experienced, top-rated medical malpractice law firm serving Mill Valley and the entire San Francisco metropolitan area. Zinn Law Firm has top-notch medical malpractice attorneys rated by Super Lawyers, and Attorney Carter Zinn maintains an outstanding 9.4 Avvo rating.

You should choose Zinn Law Firm because California’s medical malpractice rules are complicated: damage caps, filing deadlines, and requirements that may torpedo your valid case from the start – if you don’t know the rules. Our team knows medical malpractice law.

Here are some of our recent medical malpractice cases:

• $1.5 million medical error paralysis settlement at San Francisco General Hospital 
• $295,000 settlement for failing to remove cervical cerclage during birth
• $785,000 settlement for post-surgical mistakes that led to amputation 
• Confidential settlement against Alameda County Medical Center for improper IV insertion 

Our offices are conveniently located at 591 Redwood Highway #4000 in Mill Valley, CA. Our office is on Silva Island next to Highway 101 and near Ferrari of San Francisco, UCSF Medical Center, and Acqua Hotel Mill Valley. Reach our offices for a free consultation at (415) 292-4100.

Medical Malpractice Claim Compensation 

In a California medical malpractice claim, the compensation you might receive depends on the specific details of your case, including the nature and severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the malpractice, and the financial and emotional impact it has had on your life.

First, you can receive economic damages, which include:

• Medical expenses: Past and future costs related to the malpractice, such as hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, or ongoing care.
• Lost income: Income you’ve lost due to time off work, including reduced earning capacity, if the injury affects your ability to work long-term.
• Other costs: Expenses like travel to medical appointments or hiring help for daily tasks you can no longer perform.

Second, you can receive non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering. 

However, California caps medical malpractice cases: 

• Non-death cases: The cap started at $350,000 in 2023 and increases by $40,000 yearly until it reaches $750,000 in 2033. As of 2025, the cap is $390,000.
•  Wrongful death cases: If the malpractice resulted in a loved one’s death, the cap started at $500,000 in 2023 and rises by $50,000 annually until it hits $1 million in 2033. For 2025, this cap is $550,000.

Your Mill Valley medical malpractice attorney will estimate your damages, then send a demand letter with evidence proving fault and your losses.

Where Medical Malpractice Claims Occur In Mill Valley 

A medical malpractice claim can happen at any doctor’s office or medical facility that treats patients.

Some medical facilities in Mill Valley and San Francisco that can result in medical malpractice claims if the situation arises are: 

• UCSF Medical Center
• Downtown Medical Group
• UCSF Health St. Mary’s Hospital 
• UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion
• San Francisco Multi-Specialty Medical Group
• Circle Medical
• Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
  

Medical malpractice claims against physicians and hospitals are difficult to prove. Always retain a skilled Zinn Law Firm Mill Valley medical malpractice lawyer for the best case outcome.

Types Of Medical Malpractice Claims

In California, medical malpractice claims arise when a healthcare professional’s negligence causes harm to a patient. These claims generally fall under several standard types based on the nature of the error or misconduct.

Significant types of medical malpractice claims include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: When a doctor fails to identify a patient’s condition correctly or takes too long, leading to worsening health or missed treatment opportunities. For example, missing cancer signs until it’s too late to treat effectively can be grounds for a claim. Injuries can include more severe diseases, brain damage, organ damage, and death. 
• Surgical errors: Involve mistakes during surgery, like operating on the wrong body part, leaving instruments inside the patient, or causing unintended damage to organs or tissues. Even minor surgeries can lead to significant claims if negligence is involved. Injuries can include damage to organs, blood vessels, infections, amputations, and death. 
• Medication errors: Stem from prescribing the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or failing to check for harmful interactions. A patient might suffer severe side effects or lack proper treatment due to these slip-ups. Injuries can vary because of overdose, underdose, or allergic reactions. 
• Birth injuries: This happens when negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery harms the baby or mother. Examples include failing to monitor fetal distress or mishandling delivery tools, potentially causing conditions like cerebral palsy. Injuries can include oxygen deprivation, brain damage, joint dislocations, and broken bones. 
• Failure to treat: A healthcare provider diagnoses a condition but doesn’t follow through with appropriate care. For example, a doctor discharges a patient too soon or doesn’t refer them to a specialist when needed. Injuries can include organ, heart, lung, or brain damage or death. 
• Anesthesia errors: Can lead to brain damage, heart issues, or even death. This might involve giving too much or too little or not monitoring the patient properly during a procedure. Injuries may include brain damage, heart damage, or death. 

In California, medical malpractice claims are governed by laws like the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). This law caps non-economic damages at $250,000 but adjusted upward to $350,000 as of 2023.

Fighting The Medical Malpractice Insurance Company 

Handling insurance claims in a medical malpractice case in California can be complex, involving both the medical and legal systems. Always retain an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Mill Valley to oversee your claim.

Obtaining maximum compensation in a complicated medical malpractice claim is impossible without a skilled attorney.

Let Zinn Deal With The Medical Malpractice Insurer 

First, if you’re pursuing a medical malpractice claim, you’re likely dealing with the insurance company of the healthcare provider or facility at fault. These cases arise when a healthcare professional’s negligence causes harm.

The insurance company steps in to defend its policyholder and potentially pay out a settlement or judgment if the case succeeds. Hire a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney at Zinn Law Firm to handle your claim. 

The claims process often starts with filing a claim against the provider’s malpractice insurance. Before you can sue, California law requires you to give the healthcare provider at least 90 days’ notice of your intent to file a lawsuit, outlining the injury and the basis for the claim.

This allows the insurance company to investigate and possibly settle before litigation. Most malpractice insurance policies in California are claims-made policies, meaning plaintiffs must report the incident while the policy is active.

After you file your claim, the insurance company will assign an adjuster to evaluate it. They’ll look at evidence like medical records, expert opinions, and the extent of your damages, including medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

Pain And Suffering Caps In California Medical Malpractice Claims

California caps non-economic damages in malpractice cases, a key factor in insurance payouts. As of 2025, the cap is $390,000 for non-fatal injuries, which will rise $40,000 annually until it hits $750,000 in 2033, and $540,000 for wrongful death.

Economic damages, like additional medical costs or lost income, have no cap, so insurers often focus on minimizing these through aggressive negotiation.

Settlements are typical in medical malpractice claims because both sides want to avoid long, expensive trials. Challenges arise if the insurer denies the claim, arguing the provider met the standard of care or that negligence didn’t cause your injury. You’d need strong evidence, often from medical experts, to counter this.

Insurance companies for doctors and hospitals have teams of lawyers to fight your claim aggressively. The insurance company knows you are hurting and need money and will try to undermine your claim or stall until you accept a token settlement.

Always hire a Mill Valley medical malpractice lawyer at Zinn Law Firm to give you the best chance of success.

What to Do in a Medical Malpractice Claim 

If you’re considering a medical malpractice claim in California, approach the process carefully due to the state’s specific laws and requirements. Here is what to do for the best-case outcome:

Do You Have a Medical Malpractice Claim? 

First, recognize if you have a potential case. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider, like a doctor or nurse, fails to meet the accepted standard of care, causing you harm.

A bad outcome alone isn’t enough. For example, if you don’t like the result of plastic surgery, that will not result in a successful claim. You must prove that you suffered an injury and that medical negligence caused it.

Consult Our Mill Valley Medical Malpractice Attorney 

Start by consulting our qualified medical malpractice attorney. California’s rules are complex, and an experienced lawyer can assess whether your situation has merit.

Given the time and costs involved, they’ll examine factors like the care you received, the harm suffered, and whether it’s worth pursuing. Our attorneys offer free initial consultations and work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win.

Collect Evidence 

Next, gather evidence. Collect all medical records related to the incident—test results, prescriptions, bills, and notes from appointments. Document your experience with dates, times, and details of what went wrong, if possible.

You might also need a second opinion from another doctor to confirm the negligence, though our medical malpractice attorney can do this for you.

Note: California law requires you to notify the healthcare provider at least 90 days before filing a lawsuit. This “Notice of Intent to Sue” must outline the legal basis of your claim and the injuries you’ve suffered. Your attorney will handle this step, but it’s a mandatory part of the process to encourage settlement discussions early on.

The Statute Of Limitations Is Just 3 Years

Be mindful of time limits. In California, you have three years from the date of injury or one year from when you discovered the injury to file a claim, whichever comes first.

For minors, the rules differ: if under six, the deadline is three years or before their eighth birthday, whichever is longer. Missing these deadlines usually means losing your right to sue, so act quickly.

You’ll need expert testimony to prove your case. California requires a medical expert, typically a doctor in the same field, to confirm the provider’s actions fell below the standard of care and caused your injury. Your attorney will connect you with someone credible to support your claim.

Consider A Medical Malpractice Settlement 

Consider settling your case and not going to trial. Many cases are resolved out of court through negotiations with the provider’s insurance company. Your lawyer may recommend filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement isn’t offered. If it goes to trial, the court will decide based on evidence and arguments from both sides.

The process can feel daunting, but starting with our skilled Mill Valley medical malpractice lawyer and staying organized will give you the best shot at a fair outcome. Contact our Zinn Law Firm attorneys immediately for a complimentary case review.

Speak To A Mill Valley Medical Malpractice Attorney Now

A medical malpractice claim can turn your life inside out. You may have serious injuries and pain and be unable to work. There is hope. You can receive compensation in a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit.

You can speak to a Zinn Law personal injury attorney at (415) 292-4100. We will review your case to determine your legal options. If you have a case, you don’t pay a dime unless we obtain compensation for you.