Passion For Advocacy & Proven Success
He has secured numerous high-value settlements and verdicts that have set state records. This includes:
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$21 Million Truck Accident, Brain Injury
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Record-Setting $17 Million Birth Injury Settlement
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$8.75 Million Failure to Diagnose Sepsis
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$6.25 Million Anoxic Brain Injury, Anesthesia Error
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$5.5 Million Birth Injury, Brain Injury
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$4.5 Million Failure to Diagnose Meningitis in a Newborn
Our Record Medical Malpractice Results
Peterson Injury Law has recovered more than $200 million for victims of medical negligence, including numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
We’ve handled some of the most complex and consequential malpractice cases in California and have set numerous records, including securing the largest medical malpractice recovery in California history:
- $17 Million — Birth Injury Settlement. Brain damage caused by failure to treat a routine maternal infection during pregnancy. Believed to be the largest medical malpractice recovery in California (present value).
What Our Clients Say
“Erik Peterson is by far the best attorney.”
Very knowledgeable, professional and honest. From the moment we first had our meeting, he explained everything clearly and was always responsive to my questions. – Former Client
“Thank you Erik for winning our case!”
Erik and his team are superb. If you need his attorney services, it is likely, like myself, that you are experiencing one of the most traumatic and painful times of your life. Of course, you want an excellent lawyer - and he is it. The bonus: he is also a genuinely real and kind human being. I am so grateful to him and his team. – Former Client
Medical Negligence and Patient Rights in Riverside
When medical professionals fail to meet accepted standards of care, the consequences can be life-altering. Medical malpractice law exists to hold negligent providers accountable and to help injured patients recover the compensation they need to move forward.
In Riverside, malpractice claims may involve community hospitals, emergency departments, surgical centers, private practices, or specialists across nearly every medical discipline. Key elements of a malpractice claim include:
- Breach of standard of care · Proving that a competent provider would have acted differently.
- Expert testimony · Medical experts are required to explain the negligence.
- Strict timelines · California law sets tight filing deadlines that must be met.
- Substantial harm · The negligence must result in real, measurable injury.
Understanding these fundamentals is an important first step toward determining whether you have a case.
The Cases We Handle
We represent patients and families in all types of medical malpractice cases, including those involving:
- Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis. Missed detection of strokes, infections, heart disease, cancer, and other serious conditions.
- Birth Injuries. Failures during pregnancy, labor, or delivery leading to preventable brain injuries or lifelong disabilities.
- Surgical Errors and Postoperative Negligence. Mistakes during surgery, poor monitoring, or failure to address complications.
- Emergency Department Errors. Inadequate triage, failure to stabilize, or discharging patients in crisis.
- Medication and Anesthesia Mistakes. Incorrect dosages, contraindicated drugs, or anesthesia complications.
- Hospital-Acquired Infections and Sepsis. Negligence that allows preventable infections to escalate into life-threatening conditions.
These cases often involve complex medical evidence, competing expert opinions, and powerful defendants. Having an experienced legal team makes a significant difference.
What to Expect in a Malpractice Claim
Pursuing a malpractice case in Riverside follows a defined legal process, but every case is unique. Here’s a general roadmap:
- Early Investigation. We gather medical records, consult independent experts, and evaluate whether the care fell below accepted standards.
- Mandatory Notice. California law requires giving the provider 90 days’ written notice before filing suit. This step starts the legal timeline.
- Filing and Discovery. Once the lawsuit is filed in court, both sides exchange evidence, take depositions, and present expert testimony to build their cases.
- Negotiation or Trial. Some cases resolve through settlement; others proceed to trial. Our firm is fully prepared to litigate when defendants refuse fair compensation.
Throughout the process, we keep clients informed and actively involved so they can make informed decisions.
Do You Have a Case?
Many people are unsure whether what happened to them “counts” as medical malpractice. While every situation is unique, valid claims often involve:
- Serious or permanent injury resulting from negligent care
- A clear missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or harmful delay in treatment
- Errors during childbirth, surgery, or anesthesia that led to harm
- Failure to monitor or respond to changing symptoms or complications
- Infections or conditions that worsened because warning signs were ignored
- Inadequate informed consent, where patients weren’t properly warned about risks
Even if you’re not certain whether negligence occurred, it’s important to speak with experienced medical malpractice attorneys early. We can evaluate your records, consult experts, and give you a clear, honest assessment.
Compensation in Medical Malpractice Cases
Victims of malpractice may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. This can include:
- Medical expenses · Past and future costs of treatment, rehabilitation, and care
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Costs of long-term disability or in-home assistance
- Pain and suffering resulting from physical and emotional harm
- Loss of enjoyment of life and diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one due to negligence
Because California has specific laws that may impact damages, including limits on certain non-economic damages, working with attorneys who understand this landscape is essential.
Why Experience Matters
Taking on hospitals, insurers, and medical groups requires more than just legal knowledge. It demands:
- Decades of malpractice litigation experience
- Relationships with top-tier medical experts
- Resources to handle high-stakes cases through trial
- A proven record of multi-million-dollar recoveries
Our team brings that level of experience to every case we handle.
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“My husband passed due to medical malpractice and I didn't know what to do or who to call. All I knew was I needed to get him justice. I researched and found Erik Peterson on google and reviewed various reviews on various sites. He was very patient and fought for me and my late husband. Erik told me what to expect ahead of time so I could prepare myself mentally. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who may need legal assistance in personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death. They are excellent and I can't say enough good things about them.”- Kiki A.
He has secured numerous high-value settlements and verdicts that have set state records. This includes:
- A $17 million birth injury settlement secured in 2019 over brain damage resulting from failure to treat a routine infection in pregnancy. This is the largest medical malpractice recovery in California history (present value).
- A $21 million verdict with interest and costs for a client who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury in a trucking accident. The verdict is the largest net compensatory award of its type for an individual in California history.
Speak With a Riverside Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you believe medical negligence harmed you or a loved one, Peterson Injury Law can help. Call (951) 406-4650 or reach out online for a FREE consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless we win.
