How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Medical malpractice lawsuits can be a little complicated. There are certain guidelines to follow, such as a time limit within which the lawsuit may be filed.

In addition to proving negligence, the person seeking compensation must show that the actions of the doctor resulted in losses and injuries. This will require hospital and medical records.

Complaint

After your attorney's investigation has discovered evidence of malpractice occurred, the attorney will file a complaint with the court and issue summons. The complaint identifies the defendants in the case and outlines the allegations you're making against them.

Malpractice claims are based on the idea that nurses, doctors, or other healthcare professionals owe patients the same level of care. This is the amount of skill and caution the reasonably prudent doctor with similar training would employ in similar circumstances. Your legal team must prove that your doctor violated this standard and caused you to suffer quantifiable damage.

The standard of care for a doctor is usually an issue of opinion, and is difficult to prove. This is why it is essential to select a law firm that has access to experts who can give testimony on the medical field and what reasonable medical professionals in your situation would have done.

It's not just doctors who make medical errors; hospital personnel, including nurses and anesthesiologists can be liable for malpractice. This is especially true of emergency room staff, where errors are usually due to the crazed atmosphere and overworked staff. Your attorney may be able to obtain an expert opinion from the emergency room personnel who can show the circumstances that led to the incident and the reason why your doctor failed to meet this standard.

Discovery

During the discovery phase your lawyer will gather and review evidence that could prove a malpractice claim. This includes medical records, witness statements, expert testimony, and more. These records can also be requested by the legal team opposing the case. This is done through interrogatories or requests for malpractice Attorney documents. Certain documents could be classified as confidential or privy due to privacy laws like HIPAA and its Privacy Rule.

You must also prove your injury is due to negligence by the doctor. This is the most difficult element of a case involving medical negligence since it requires expert testimony to back your claim.

Your lawyer will also question witnesses who can demonstrate the negligence of the doctor. This includes radiologists, dentists nurses, assistants, and other people who were involved in the treatment of your health. Your lawyer is skilled in preparing powerful and effective depositions in order to convince these witnesses to admit that the doctor's negligence was a factor.

The majority of lawsuits are resolved or settled before they reach the trial stage. In cases involving medical malpractice it is a common practice since the cost of going to trial can be quite expensive. Once the facts of your case have been established, a settlement may be agreed upon between you and the insurer of your doctor. If a settlement isn't possible your case will proceed to trial.

Trial

Once your attorney has completed the initial investigation and malpractice Attorney decides you have a strong malpractice case they will file the complaint. It will state clearly your allegations and must be served on the defendant along with a summons.

The next step is discovery. The next phase is discovery. This includes depositions and exchange of witnesses. Your lawyer will use these statements to prove that your doctor violated the standards of care. The aim is to demonstrate that the error was caused by the negligence of your doctor, and caused damage.

In addition to the witness's testimony, your medical malpractice attorney will collaborate with one or two expert witnesses to support your claim. These experts will be provided medical records as well as detailed information regarding your case in order to prepare for their deposition and testimony. They may also assist in preparing your case for trial.

Your lawyer will begin settlement discussions with the defense as part of the trial preparation. This process continues throughout the case and can take up to many years. During this time, it is important that you are recovering from your injuries and determining how much of your damages. It's in everyone's best interest to settle your case outside of the court and avoid litigation as often as feasible. Your attorney will carefully assess the merits of any settlement offer against your current and potential recovery. If the settlement is reasonable and fair, then your lawyer will be able to convince you to accept it.

Damages

During the discovery phase, plaintiffs have to prove that their losses are substantial and that negligence on the part of the defendant has caused these damages. For example, if the doctor failed to inform the patient of the 30 percent chance that the procedure could result in the loss of a arm, and the operation was successful, but the patient lost an arm or limb, the doctor could be held responsible for negligence.

A victim may also demonstrate that a competent lawyer could have averted or reduced the financial loss. This is sometimes referred to as the "but for" test. It is also important to prove that the plaintiff has paid for expenses in the pursuit of a successful legal claim that is greater than the amount they seek in compensation.

Our medical malpractice lawyers can explain the various types of damages that may be granted in a malpractice case that include past, current and future medical expenses as in addition to lost income as well as pain and discomfort and other non-economic losses. The higher the award is, the more serious injury. A verdict that is successful could be overturned through an appeal. Settlements outside of court could be beneficial for certain clients. It can save money as well as time on litigation costs. It also eliminates the risk of a juror making a decision based on emotion instead of fact.