logologologo
  • Practice Areas
    • –
      • Asbestos Exposure
      • Bicycle Accidents
      • Broker and Shipper Liability
      • Construction Site Accidents
    • –
      • Defective Products
      • Medical Malpractice
      • Nursing Home Negligence
      • Railroad Accidents
    • –
      • Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents
      • Transportation Accidents
      • Traumatic Brain Injury
      • Uber Lyft Accidents
    • –
      • Uninsured Motorist Claims
      • Vehicle Accidents
      • Work Place Accidents
      • Wrongful Death
  • About Us
    • Letter From A Partner
    • Joliet Personal Injury Attorney
  • Legal Team
    • Joseph D. Parente
    • Christopher M. Norem
    • Charles C. Bletsas
    • Cole H. Munvez
    • Jacob Esp
    • Peter F. Higgins
  • Case Results
  • News
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • FREE CASE EVALUATION
logologologo
  • Practice Areas
    • –
      • Asbestos Exposure
      • Bicycle Accidents
      • Broker and Shipper Liability
      • Construction Site Accidents
    • –
      • Defective Products
      • Medical Malpractice
      • Nursing Home Negligence
      • Railroad Accidents
    • –
      • Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents
      • Transportation Accidents
      • Traumatic Brain Injury
      • Uber Lyft Accidents
    • –
      • Uninsured Motorist Claims
      • Vehicle Accidents
      • Work Place Accidents
      • Wrongful Death
  • About Us
    • Letter From A Partner
    • Joliet Personal Injury Attorney
  • Legal Team
    • Joseph D. Parente
    • Christopher M. Norem
    • Charles C. Bletsas
    • Cole H. Munvez
    • Jacob Esp
    • Peter F. Higgins
  • Case Results
  • News
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • FREE CASE EVALUATION
logologologo
  • Practice Areas
    • –
      • Asbestos Exposure
      • Bicycle Accidents
      • Broker and Shipper Liability
      • Construction Site Accidents
    • –
      • Defective Products
      • Medical Malpractice
      • Nursing Home Negligence
      • Railroad Accidents
    • –
      • Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents
      • Transportation Accidents
      • Traumatic Brain Injury
      • Uber Lyft Accidents
    • –
      • Uninsured Motorist Claims
      • Vehicle Accidents
      • Work Place Accidents
      • Wrongful Death
  • About Us
    • Letter From A Partner
    • Joliet Personal Injury Attorney
  • Legal Team
    • Joseph D. Parente
    • Christopher M. Norem
    • Charles C. Bletsas
    • Cole H. Munvez
    • Jacob Esp
    • Peter F. Higgins
  • Case Results
  • News
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • FREE CASE EVALUATION
  • Practice Areas
    • –
      • Asbestos Exposure
      • Bicycle Accidents
      • Broker and Shipper Liability
      • Construction Site Accidents
    • –
      • Defective Products
      • Medical Malpractice
      • Nursing Home Negligence
      • Railroad Accidents
    • –
      • Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents
      • Transportation Accidents
      • Traumatic Brain Injury
      • Uber Lyft Accidents
    • –
      • Uninsured Motorist Claims
      • Vehicle Accidents
      • Work Place Accidents
      • Wrongful Death
  • About Us
    • Letter From A Partner
    • Joliet Personal Injury Attorney
  • Legal Team
    • Joseph D. Parente
    • Christopher M. Norem
    • Charles C. Bletsas
    • Cole H. Munvez
    • Jacob Esp
    • Peter F. Higgins
  • Case Results
  • News
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • FREE CASE EVALUATION
by Jennifer Gulbrandsen
BlogMay 20, 20220 comments

P&N BLOG | Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death Explained

You may have heard the terms ‘medical malpractice’ and ‘wrongful death’ before, but what do they mean? Are they different? Can medical negligence result in a wrongful death? Is a wrongful death claim only limited to something going wrong medically, or does it apply to other types of negligence as well? Here at Parente & Norem, PC we have all of the answers you need to these questions. 

 

Medical Malpractice

 

Let’s start with medical malpractice, also referred to as ‘medical negligence.’  This occurs when a healthcare worker is negligent, or administering care outside of their licensed scope, and a patient is harmed. Medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer. You can be the victim of medical malpractice at any stage of the treatment process from diagnosis to follow up. Medical malpractice can also lead to a wrongful death claim if negligence directly resulted in the death of the patient. 

 

Wrongful Death

 

Wrongful Death has a wider scope under the law than medical malpractice. While medical malpractice is limited to the actions of those administering medical care, wrongful death may be defined as the legal claim that something or someone caused the death of another. This can cover a myriad of events from nursing home abuse and neglect, defective products, dog bites, recalled motor vehicles, assault, and automobile accidents caused by negligence. 

 

The main difference between medical malpractice and wrongful death lies in their definitions. Medical malpractice involves negligence while wrongful death is a legal claim. Medical malpractice can result in a wrongful death claim. A lawyer can help you navigate these definitions and how to proceed. 

 

If you believe you or someone you love has been the victim of medical malpractice or wrongful death, it is important to contact an attorney right away as there is a relatively short amount of time to file your case. Contact our attorneys today for more information and a free case evaluation. 

Parente & Norem Trial Attorneys Obtain $1.75M Jury VerdictPrev
P&N BLOG | Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect ExplainedNext

Latest Posts

by Jennifer Gulbrandsen

P&N BLOG | Traumatic Brain Injuries in Car Accidents

Traumatic Brain Injuries in Car Accidents Car accidents remain one of the most common and devastating incidents on the roads, not only in...

P&N BLOG | Traumatic Brain Injuries in Car Accidents

BlogMay 7, 2025
by Jennifer Gulbrandsen

P&N BLOG | The 5 Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

Accidents are an unfortunate part of life, and when they happen due to someone else's negligence, the consequences can be devastating. From mounting...

P&N BLOG | The 5 Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

BlogApril 29, 2025
by Jennifer Gulbrandsen

P&N BLOG | When a Minor is Involved in a Personal Injury Claim

When a child is injured because of someone else’s negligence, the path to justice is more complex than it is for adult victims. Special legal...

P&N BLOG | When a Minor is Involved in a Personal Injury Claim

BlogApril 22, 2025
Parente & Norem, PC

The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. is a civil litigation and trial firm concentrating in personal injury. We service the Greater Chicago area.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

CHICAGO OFFICE

221 North LaSalle Street,
Suite 1750
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: (312) 641-5926
Fax: (312) 641-5929
Get Directions

JOLIET OFFICE

58 E Clinton St, 5th floor
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (312) 641-5926
Get Directions