Four Parts of a Legal Claim

When a doctor or hospital creates a birth injury the family in question deserves an adequate amount of compensation to cover medical costs and to ensure the future of their child. Attorneys work with experts to build a case that satisfies four aspects of a legal claim.

The lawsuit starts when the attorney for the plaintiff is required to file a summons or complaint with the court. The case is then subject to an initial period of discovery in which attorneys exchange information, including depositions.

Statute of limitations

Like all personal injury lawsuits such as birth injuries, birth injury lawsuits must be filed within a certain period of time, also known as the statute of limitations. Once this window expires families and victims may lose the chance to claim financial compensation for the damages resulting from medical malpractice.

Medical malpractice refers to a doctor or nurse failing to perform in accordance with the standards of care. In many states, the norm is to practice within the limitations of training, education, and experience. Because of their special training, medical specialists such as obstetricians also have higher standards.

Lawyers often seek evidence regarding the standard of medical expertise from experts who can be witnesses on behalf clients. Experts can review case files and conduct depositions in support of allegations of negligence.

Expert witnesses can also tell between malpractice and errors. For instance a mistake is an error that any reasonably competent and skilled medical professional could have made under the situation, but the error resulted in harm. Malpractice is a much more serious matter and requires an intentional act or omission that results in harm. Most birth injury lawyers use both theories to ensure that victims receive an equitable amount of compensation.

A family may sue a private entity such as an obstetrician or a hospital, for negligence that results in medical issues for children. Families can also bring a wrongful death claim if a severe birth defect results in the death of the child.

Medical Records

If you or someone you love has suffered birth injuries, submitting claims can be challenging. A medical malpractice and personal injury attorney can assist you with gathering the required documentation and evidence to improve your chances of winning the financial settlement that you are due.

A successful claim for birth injuries is based on the establishing of four key elements that include duty of care; breach of this duty; causation and damages. A competent lawyer can assist your family in establish these elements based on medical records and other evidence, including expert testimony.

In a case of medical malpractice in general, a doctor is accountable for his or her actions within the confines of their job. However, a hospital can be held vicariously accountable for the negligent acts of its employees if they are acting in the course and nature of their work.

Depending on the severity of your child's injuries they could require medical and life-care services for the remainder of their lives. This can result in a large amount of expenses, such as hospitalization as well as additional surgeries and procedures, medications such as home care, medical equipment and other services.

The process of litigation for cases involving birth injuries could take a long time to complete, however, a skilled legal team can expedite the process by carefully scrutinizing all the evidence and providing it to you in a timely manner. The majority of birth injury lawyers offer free consultations for initial consultations, and they also offer contingency fee agreements. This means that you will not be charged any attorney's fees during the litigation process unless you win compensation.

Expert Witnesses

The medical expert witness is an invaluable source of information for judges and jury. This expert is able review the specific situation and identify the elements that are crucial to the clinical process. This helps attorneys more effectively focus their arguments and discuss only the relevant aspects. The expert can also translate medical and scientific terminology into a clear format for jurors.

To be able to prove the viability of a lawsuit, four things must be proven: negligence breach, causation and damages. To prove this, New York birth injury lawyers can rely on medical records and other evidence. They can list as defendants all medical professionals who were involved in the treatment of the child and the delivery as well as the hospital where the delivery occurred. They could also be required to identify the mother's name or any other family member who was present at the birth.

After the lawsuit has been filed and the parties are able to proceed with filing motions, hearings, and discovery. The exchange of medical records in addition to other documents, is a part of the discovery process. The discovery phase can last for a period of up to a year. In this time, the parties often attempt to settle the matter. If a settlement isn't reached, the case goes to trial. The trial could last for many years, though many cases settle much sooner.

Damages

The process of suing involves constructing a case to seek financial compensation. Your lawyer should be able to construct a solid case and undergo trial if necessary. The lawyer you hire will typically advance all litigation expenses and receives fees for attorneys only if you collect money.

Your lawyer will prepare an Summons and Complaint in the county court where the incident happened. The doctors, hospitals and other medical facilities become defendants. After the lawsuit has been filed there are a variety of steps that must be taken. This is a process in which the attorneys exchange information and evidence, which includes taking depositions and sworn statements from witnesses.

The most important aspect of a birth injury lawsuit is proving causation. This means that you must prove that the medical professional did not fulfill their duty and if they hadn't the child would not have suffered an injury.

The process of proving damages is an additional element of a legal case for birth injuries. Your lawyer will consult experts to determine the total range of your losses, from medical bills and loss of income to the cost of care for your entire life and emotional stress. Your lawyer may also try to strengthen your claim by submitting the results of other malpractice cases involving similar injuries. Your lawyer will also be able to consider the law that applies to your type injury, including whether the noneconomic damages cap applies.