A Medical malpractice lawyer can help a patient get compensation if a doctor or other healthcare worker makes a mistake that causes injury, death, or serious health complications. These mistakes can be caused by a variety of reasons including a physician’s failure to follow established medical standards, improperly prescribing medications, or failing to order diagnostic tests.
There are many types of medical malpractice cases and the list of liable parties is vast. It is possible for hospitals, nurses, doctors, physical therapists, pharmacists and even dentists to be sued for malpractice.
The first step in a medical malpractice lawsuit is to find an attorney who specializes in this type of case. It is important to check online with your state bar association to make sure the lawyer you choose is licensed to practice in your area and has a good track record. You should also ask friends and family for recommendations and do your own research. Once you have narrowed down your choices, schedule a consultation with each candidate to discuss your case.
During the consultation, the lawyer will determine whether or not you have a case. If they believe that you do, they will explain the process of a medical malpractice lawsuit. This will include gathering medical records and hiring expert witnesses to review the case. The expert witnesses will help to establish what standard of care was expected of the doctors and/or hospital in your case.
If the expert witness finds that there was a breach of the standard of care, then your lawyer will have to show that this negligence caused you injury or health problems. The most common type of negligence in these cases is when a doctor fails to inform you of the risks associated with a procedure. For example, if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer and your doctor recommends that you undergo a prostatectomy, the law states that he or she must advise you of the risk that this will cause incontinence and impotence.
Another way that malpractice can occur is when a doctor makes a mistake during surgery. For example, if the doctor cuts off a nerve or muscle in an arm during an operation, this can cause permanent disabilities and pain. In this type of case, it is vital that the surgeon be questioned by your lawyer about how the mistake happened and why it was made.
If a medical malpractice lawsuit is successful, the plaintiff will receive compensation for their losses. However, it is important to remember that these settlements can take a long time. This is because medical malpractice lawsuits are complex and require an extensive amount of evidence to prove that the doctor or other healthcare provider acted negligently. If you have a lawyer with experience in medical malpractice lawsuits, they will be able to negotiate the best settlement for you. They will know how to gather the right evidence, question expert witnesses and package all of this information into a compelling argument that will convince the judge or jury to rule in your favor.
