How a Malpractice Lawyer Can Help You File a Medical Malpractice Claim
Medical malpractice cases are among the most complex and difficult to win. Fortunately, top New York malpractice lawyers know how to navigate these cases successfully.
Malpractice occurs when a physician does not follow accepted medical practices and causes injury or even death. A malpractice lawsuit that is successful can provide compensation to cover the past and future medical expenses, lost wages, consortium, as well as pain and suffering.
Medical Records
Medical records are an essential component of any malpractice case. They often contain a great quantity of information, ranging from initial diagnoses to treatment plans. These records include digital images of patients, flowsheets for surgical reports, intensive care units or operations, EKG tracings and other relevant documents. These documents can help a malpractice lawyer determine whether the actions of a physician fell below the standard of care and caused harm.
Many hospitals and healthcare providers are required by law to provide patients with copies of their own medical records upon request. However, when medical malpractice lawyers demand documents as part of a potential lawsuit against a health care provider for negligence, they could experience significant administrative delays. An experienced and dedicated New York City medical malpractice attorney can get these records quickly and efficiently.
The statute of limitations is a limitation of time within which a medical negligence claim has to be filed. In New York this means you have just two and a quarter years to file a lawsuit starting from when the act, omission, or failure caused you harm.
Your lawyer will need to gather as much evidence in the beginning stages of a medical malpractice case as possible. This would include all medical records, including the aforementioned information as well as hospital bills, eyewitness statements as well as photographs of your injuries.
Expert Witnesses
Medical malpractice cases usually require the use of experts as witnesses. These are generally medical professionals who can offer a medical opinion about the situation, and whether negligence took place or not. They are often required to look into the medical files of a case. They also might be required to give testimony during trial.
An expert witness could be a surgeon’s assistant, doctor, physician or any other healthcare worker who has a significant amount of education and practical experience in the medical field. They can help the jury be able to comprehend the medical aspects involved in a case.
If the testimony of a medical professional is presented in court, it can be a powerful evidence tool to show that the defendant violated their duty of care and caused you harm in the process. It is important to understand that these experts must take an oath that they will only give the information they believe to be authentic. They can be held liable for statements that are proven to be false, and it is crucial to only employ experts who are reliable and trustworthy.
An experienced attorney for malpractice can evaluate a case and determine if an expert witness is required. In some cases, an expert’s report is not necessary since the medical documents are clear and demonstrate that the healthcare professional committed a mistake that led to your injury or illness.
Depositions
The testimony of a reliable witness can prove that the medical professional failed to fulfill his or her obligation of care. Your malpractice lawyer can locate witnesses, like nurses or pharmacists who were in the operating room or who observed the negligent act from another location. These witnesses can be interviewed and provide important information to back your claim.
There are various types of damages that your New York malpractice attorney may obtain on your behalf if you file the event of a successful lawsuit. You can seek to recover your real financial losses such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages are also available, including the loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement or emotional or mental distress.
Some states place caps on the total amount a patient can receive in a medical baytown malpractice law firm lawsuit. Your lawyer can explain the implications of this on your case.
While the aftermath of a medical error may be devastating, thousands of people are able to recover compensation from healthcare providers and the hospitals or clinics in which they work. A New York medical davison malpractice lawsuit lawyer will have the knowledge as well as the resources and expertise to make a convincing claim for you and your family.
Trial
A variety of injuries can result from an error made in prescribing or dispensing medication. For instance, a lapse in administering a blood thinner to patients who are already at risk of having strokes could be fatal. New York attorneys at Duffy & Duffy can file malpractice lawsuits against pharmacists, doctors, firms and optometrists for prescribing incorrectly medications that cause severe injuries.
Even if a medical expert affirms that a healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care, proving that the provider’s actions caused the victim’s damage can be difficult. A competent malpractice lawyer can make use of the hospital’s or doctors’ policies, protocols, and guidelines to create an argument that proves defendant’s incompetence.
Many medical malpractice cases settle prior to trial. A seasoned attorney is prepared to present your case to the court if the insurance company does not agree to a fair settlement during negotiations before trial, or if jury verdict would result in a bigger damages award. An attorney who is a medical professional may decide to appeal a lower court’s decision, based on the strength and merits of your case. This procedure is lengthy and requires the participation of expert witnesses. It is an important step to ensure your case gets an honest hearing.