Medical Malpractice Lawyers

We trust doctors with our lives. We trust nurses with our newborns. When that trust is broken through negligence, the result is not just an injury—it is a betrayal.

Medical malpractice is not just a "bad outcome." Surgery has risks, and not every cancer can be cured. Malpractice happens when a medical professional violates the "Standard of Care." It happens when a doctor ignores clear warning signs, when a surgeon operates on the wrong body part, or when a nurse administers a fatal dose of medication.

At Freeman Childers, we are one of the few firms in the Cumberland Valley with the resources to fight major hospital systems like Baptist Health, UK Healthcare, and Saint Joseph. We don't just sue doctors; we hire independent medical experts to prove exactly where they went wrong.

The "Certificate of Merit" Barrier

You cannot just walk into a courthouse and sue a doctor. Both Kentucky and Tennessee have strict laws to stop "frivolous" lawsuits. Before we can even file your case, we must obtain a Certificate of Merit (or Affidavit of Merit).

• What is it? A sworn statement from another doctor (an expert in the same field) stating that your doctor made a mistake that caused your injury.

• What we do: We front the cost to hire these experts. We send them your medical records. If they confirm malpractice, then—and only then—do we file suit.

The 1-Year Rule (Crucial Warning)

In both Kentucky and Tennessee, the Statute of Limitations for medical malpractice is incredibly short: ONE YEAR.

• The Clock Starts: Usually when the injury occurred, or when you "reasonably should have discovered" the injury.

• The Trap: If a surgeon leaves a sponge inside you, but you don't find out for 6 months, you might only have 6 months left to sue. Do not wait. If you suspect negligence, call us immediately so we can secure your records before they are "updated" or lost.

Types of Cases We Litigate

• Surgical Errors: Operating on the wrong limb, puncturing an organ during routine surgery, or leaving instruments inside the body ("Retained Foreign Objects").

• Misdiagnosis: Sending a patient home with a "heartburn" diagnosis when they are having a heart attack, or failing to order a biopsy for a suspicious lump until the cancer is Stage 4.

• Birth Injuries: Cerebral Palsy or Erb’s Palsy caused by a doctor failing to order a C-section when the baby was in distress.

• Medication Errors: Overdosing a patient in the ER or prescribing two drugs that have a deadly interaction.

• Nursing Home Neglect: Bedsores (pressure ulcers) that lead to sepsis and death.

Fighting the Hospital Giants

We handle cases against the largest providers in our region:

• UK Chandler Hospital (Lexington): The largest research hospital in KY.

• Baptist Health (Corbin & Lexington): The primary provider for Southeast Kentucky.

• Saint Joseph (London & Berea): A frequent site for rural emergency care.

• UT Medical Center (Knoxville): The Level 1 Trauma center for East Tennessee.

Did a Doctor Fail You?

We offer a free, confidential review of your case. Call 606-528-1000 to speak with our medical litigation team.