How a Malpractice Lawyer Can Help You File a Medical Malpractice Claim

Medical malpractice claims can be among the most difficult and complex to get. The best New York malpractice attorneys know how to successfully navigate these cases.

Malpractice occurs when doctors stray from accepted medical practices that cause injury or death. A successful malpractice suit can be a source of compensation for past and future: medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of consortium, and the pain and suffering.

Medical Records

Medical records are an essential component of any medical malpractice case. They usually contain a large quantity of information, ranging from initial diagnoses to treatment plans. These records can include digital photos of patients, flowsheets, reports on surgery, intensive care units or operations, EKG tracings and other relevant documents. These records can help an attorney who is a victim of malpractice determine if a doctor's actions fell below the norm of care and caused harm.

Many hospitals and healthcare providers are legally required to provide patients with copies of their own medical records upon request. When a medical malpractice attorney seeks records as part of an upcoming lawsuit, they could experience significant administrative delays. A New York City medical negligence lawyer who is committed and experienced can work to get these records as quickly as possible.

The statute of limitations is a time limit within which a medical negligence claim has to be filed. In New York, this means that you have only two and two and a half years from date of the act or error that led to your injury to pursue a lawsuit.

During the early stages of a medical negligence claim Your lawyer will require the most evidence possible. This includes all your medical records including the above-mentioned information along with hospital invoices, eyewitnesses statements and photographs of your injuries.

Expert Witnesses

Expert witnesses are usually required in medical malpractice cases. They are typically medical professionals who have the capacity to give an opinion regarding the case and whether negligence was involved. They are often required to look into the medical files of a case. They also might be required to testify in trial.

A nurse, surgeon assistant physician, doctor or any other healthcare professional with extensive training and practical experience can be an expert witness. They can assist in explaining the complex medical aspects of a case so that the jury can better understand them.

When the testimony of a medical expert is presented in court, it can be a powerful tool to establish that the defendant has violated their duty of care and caused you harm as a result. These experts are legally bound to only give information they believe to be authentic. It is crucial to only work with experts you can trust and who are reliable.

A skilled malpractice lawyer will evaluate a case and determine if an expert witness is required. In certain cases, the expert's testimony is unnecessary because the medical records are clear and prove that the physician or healthcare worker made a mistake that led to your injury or illness.

Deposits

Having reliable witness testimony can prove that the medical provider failed to perform his duty of care. Your malpractice law firms lawyer can find witnesses, like pharmacists or nurses who were in the operating room, or who observed the negligent act from a different location. Witnesses can be questioned and can provide vital evidence to support your claim.

Your New York malpractice lawyer may be able to recover several types of damages on your behalf if you prevail in your lawsuit. These include compensation for actual financial losses, like medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages that are more subjective, like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, emotional or mental anguish.

Some states place caps on the total amount patients can be awarded in a medical malpractice suit. Your attorney can explain the effect of this on your case.

While the experience of a medical error can be traumatic, thousands of people are able to recover compensation from healthcare providers as well as the clinics or hospitals where they work. A New York medical negligence lawyer can provide you with the resources, expertise and experience required to construct a solid case for yourself and your loved ones.

Trial

A variety of injuries can result from an error made in prescribing or dispensing medication. A mistake when administering blood thinners for patients at risk of stroke could cause fatal injury. Duffy & Duffy, New York lawyers have the ability to file malpractice lawsuits against doctors and pharmacists who prescribed drugs that cause serious injury.

Even after a medical expert affirms that a healthcare provider did not meet the standards of care, proving that the provider's actions caused the victim's damage can be challenging. A competent lawyer for malpractice can make use of hospital or doctor policies, protocols and guides to construct a case that establishes the defendant's negligence.

Many medical malpractice cases settle prior to trial. A seasoned attorney will be able to present your case in court if the insurance company is unwilling to accept a reasonable settlement during negotiations prior to trial, or if a jury verdict would result in a larger damages award. Based on the quality of your case an attorney for medical malpractice may decide to pursue an appeal process, where the higher court reviews the lower court's decision. The process can be lengthy and requires the participation of experts. It can be a crucial aspect in ensuring that your case is heard in a fair manner.