McGuire Law

Columbia Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Attorney

You placed your life in their hands, trusting that years of medical training meant they would help you heal—not cause you harm. Perhaps a surgeon at a Columbia hospital operated on the wrong body part, or an emergency room physician at Prisma Health dismissed symptoms that a competent doctor would have recognized as a heart attack.

Medical Malpractice Victims Need Immediate Legal Action - Call Now for Free

Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for Medical Malpractice Victims

Attorney Matt McGuire

South Carolina medical malpractice cases face procedural hurdles designed to protect healthcare providers, making experienced legal representation essential from the start. Matt McGuire has fought for Columbia, South Carolina medical malpractice victims for over 30 years, understanding that these complex cases require medical expertise, litigation resources, and determination to challenge the institutions that harmed you.

Matthew McGuire pursues accountability for every form of medical negligence, understanding how these cases require immediate action to preserve evidence, document injuries, and hold negligent healthcare providers accountable before crucial evidence disappears or witnesses forget vital details. Call (888) 499-5738 now—strict deadlines govern your right to pursue compensation.

Types of Medical Malpractice We Handle

From surgical errors to diagnostic failures, we provide aggressive representation for all medical negligence cases in Columbia and throughout South Carolina.

Surgical Errors

Wrong-site surgery, retained instruments, and anesthesia mistakes that cause devastating injuries requiring additional corrective procedures. We hold surgeons and hospitals accountable.

Diagnostic Failures

Physicians missing obvious signs of serious conditions like cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. Delayed diagnosis can turn treatable conditions into fatal diseases.

Emergency Room Negligence

Triage failures delaying life-saving treatment when minutes matter. ER doctors and nurses must recognize critical symptoms and act appropriately.

Birth Injuries

Negligent obstetric care during labor and delivery causing permanent brain damage to newborns. Obstetricians must respond appropriately to fetal distress.

Medication Errors

Wrong drugs, incorrect dosages, and dangerous interactions that cause serious harm. Physicians and pharmacists must verify prescriptions carefully.

Hospital-Acquired Infections

Inadequate sanitation and protocol failures leading to preventable infections. Hospitals must maintain sterile environments and proper hygiene practices.

Anesthesia Mistakes

Brain damage, nerve injury, or wrongful death from anesthesia errors. Anesthesiologists must monitor patients continuously during procedures.

Where Medical Malpractice Occurs in Columbia

Prisma Health Baptist and Richland hospitals, Lexington Medical Center, Providence Health facilities, urgent care centers, specialty surgical centers, physician offices, and nursing homes throughout Columbia.

The Legal Expertise of McGuire Law

Medical malpractice litigation demands specialized legal knowledge combined with access to medical experts who can establish the standard of care and prove devastating negligence occurred.

Medical Malpractice Representation

Complex medical malpractice litigation requiring expert witnesses and detailed medical knowledge. We've secured significant settlements for victims of medical negligence throughout Columbia and South Carolina.

Expert Witness Coordination

Extensive network of expert witnesses including medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and forensic specialists. Expert testimony often makes the difference in medical malpractice cases.

Discovery and Investigation

Thorough investigation and discovery practices uncover evidence that wins cases. We leave no stone unturned in building your medical malpractice claim and exposing provider negligence.

Trial Experience

While many cases settle, we're always prepared for trial. Our courtroom experience gives us leverage in negotiations and confidence when litigation against hospitals becomes necessary.

Insurance Negotiation Mastery

Decades of experience battling insurance companies and their tactics. We know their strategies to minimize medical malpractice claims and how to counter them for fair compensation.

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Proving Medical Negligence in South Carolina

Medical malpractice cases require establishing four critical elements: duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and damages resulting from the breach.

Expert Testimony Establishing Standard of Care

Qualified medical experts testifying about the applicable standard of care for the defendant's medical specialty and geographic location.

Evidence of Deviation from Accepted Practices

Demonstrating how the healthcare provider's actions fell below the standard expected of competent practitioners in their field.

Causation Linking Negligence to Injuries

Proving that the negligent care directly caused your injuries, not pre-existing conditions or natural disease progression.

Documentation of Damages

Comprehensive evidence of medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from malpractice.

Medical Record Analysis

Thorough review revealing errors providers may have tried to hide through incomplete or altered documentation.

Timeline Reconstruction

Demonstrating when appropriate intervention could have prevented harm and how delays caused permanent injuries.

McGuire Law's Core Values

Medical malpractice victims face complex litigation against well-funded healthcare institutions, requiring attorneys who combine legal excellence with unwavering commitment to justice.

Thorough Case Preparation

We prepare every medical malpractice case as if it's going to trial, even those likely to settle. This preparation gives us leverage in negotiations and confidence in court.

Compassionate Counsel

Medical malpractice often comes during the most difficult times of people's lives. We provide not just legal expertise but also understanding and support throughout your recovery.

Client Education

We believe informed clients make better decisions. We take time to explain medical concepts, legal procedures, and your options in plain English you can understand.

Statewide Representation

While based in Columbia, we represent medical malpractice victims across all 46 South Carolina counties. Our willingness to travel demonstrates commitment to serving all South Carolinians.

Attention to Detail

Medical malpractice cases are won and lost on details. We meticulously review every medical record, expert report, and piece of evidence to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

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Damages Available to Malpractice Victims

Medical malpractice causes devastating injuries requiring extensive treatment and compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.

Economic Damages

  • Medical expenses for corrective treatment necessitated by negligent care
  • Future healthcare costs for permanent conditions caused by malpractice
  • Lost wages during recovery and diminished earning capacity from lasting injuries
  • Rehabilitation and therapy costs for ongoing treatment needs
  • Home modifications and medical equipment for permanent disabilities

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and suffering reflecting physical agony caused by medical negligence
  • Emotional distress from betrayal by providers patients trusted with their lives
  • Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent activities once taken for granted
  • Permanent disfigurement and scarring from surgical errors
  • Wrongful death compensation for families who lost loved ones to medical errors

Matt McGuire Fights for Full Compensation

We pursue maximum recovery reflecting the true harm malpractice caused, not just what insurance companies initially offer.

Time Limits That Threaten Your Claim

South Carolina imposes strict deadlines on medical malpractice claims that can permanently bar your right to compensation if missed.

Three-Year Statute of Limitations

South Carolina requires filing within three years of injury or when you reasonably should have discovered the malpractice occurred.

Six-Year Statute of Repose

Absolute six-year bar from the date of the negligent act, regardless of when injuries were discovered or became apparent.

Extended Deadlines for Minors

Children injured by medical malpractice have extended deadlines but still face ultimate limitations on when claims must be filed.

Pre-Suit Notice Requirements

Procedural requirements demanding notification to healthcare providers before filing lawsuit, adding complexity to the process.

Expert Affidavit Requirements

South Carolina law requires qualified medical expert opinions supporting your claims with initial pleadings filed with the court.

Matthew McGuire Protects Your Rights

We ensure procedural requirements and filing deadlines never defeat valid medical malpractice claims. Call immediately to preserve your rights.

The McGuire Law Difference

Healthcare institutions employ teams of lawyers to defend malpractice claims, requiring experienced attorneys who refuse to be intimidated by corporate legal departments and insurance companies.

Deep Client Partnerships

We don't just handle your medical malpractice case—we become an extension of your recovery team, understanding your medical needs and long-term care requirements.

Efficient and Cost-Conscious

We respect the financial burden malpractice already caused. Our approach focuses on efficient solutions that deliver maximum results without unnecessary complexity or cost.

Clear Communication, No Legal Jargon

We explain complex medical and legal matters in plain language so you understand your case and can make informed decisions with confidence.

Results-Driven Representation

We're focused on outcomes that matter to you—securing compensation that covers your complete medical needs and holds negligent providers accountable for the harm they caused.

Local Roots, Sophisticated Service

We combine the personalized attention of a local Columbia firm with the caliber of medical malpractice counsel you'd expect from much larger practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medical malpractice victims and their families often have urgent questions about their legal rights and options after suffering preventable medical injuries.

How do I know if I have a medical malpractice case?

If a healthcare provider's negligent care caused injuries that wouldn't have occurred with competent treatment, you may have a claim. Consult experienced legal counsel immediately for case evaluation.

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in South Carolina?

Generally three years from injury discovery, but absolute six-year limit from the negligent act. Missing these deadlines permanently bars recovery regardless of how egregious the malpractice was.

Do I need a medical expert for my case?

Yes. South Carolina law requires expert testimony establishing the standard of care, proving breach, and demonstrating causation between negligence and your injuries.

Can I sue a hospital for medical malpractice?

Yes. Hospitals can be held liable for their own negligence and for the negligence of their employees under certain circumstances. We pursue all responsible parties.

What compensation can I recover in a medical malpractice case?

Economic damages for medical bills and lost wages, plus non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. We fight for full compensation reflecting true harm.

How long do medical malpractice cases take?

Complex cases requiring extensive discovery and expert testimony can take 1-3 years. However, settlement timing varies based on case specifics and defendant cooperation.

What if the doctor says nothing went wrong?

Healthcare providers rarely admit negligence. Independent medical record review by qualified experts reveals whether treatment met the appropriate standard of care.

How much does a medical malpractice lawyer cost?

We handle medical malpractice cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call for free to discuss your case and options.

Can I file a claim if my loved one died from medical malpractice?

Yes. South Carolina allows wrongful death claims when medical negligence causes fatal injuries. We provide compassionate representation for grieving families seeking justice and accountability.

Matt McGuire - Attorney

About South Carolina Attorney Matt McGuire

Matt McGuire South Carolina Criminal Defense Personal Injury Family Law Attorney

With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.

McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.

Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.

Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.

Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.

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Get Started Today

When you're suffering from medical malpractice in Columbia, you need more than just any attorney – you need Matt McGuire and McGuire Law.

Don't let hospitals and insurance companies minimize your suffering after serious medical negligence. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and effective legal representation can make in your medical malpractice case.

Columbia Office

2001 Assembly Street, Suite 102-B
Columbia, SC 29201

(888) 499-5738

Contact McGuire Law Today

Hospitals and physicians have already notified their malpractice insurers, and teams of defense lawyers are reviewing your medical records searching for ways to blame you for injuries their clients caused. Matthew McGuire represents medical malpractice victims throughout Columbia and Richland County, bringing over three decades of experience challenging healthcare institutions and the insurance companies that protect them. With offices across South Carolina and 24/7 availability, Matt understands that malpractice cases require immediate investigation before records disappear and memories fade.

"A lawyer's time and advice are his stock in trade." — Abraham Lincoln