Health
3 Things That Can Hurt Your Medical Malpractice Case
If you have found yourself injured due to a healthcare provider’s negligence, you may want to file a medical malpractice case.
According to one source, an estimated 795,000 Americans every year suffer severe harm from diagnostic mistakes. It adds that the number one mistake involves missed strokes. Another source notes that north of a quarter of a million people in the U.S. pass away annually due to medical errors. Meanwhile, other reports put the number at as much as 440,000.
When you get treatment from a healthcare professional, the last thing you want is to suffer harm that could have been avoided. But hundreds of thousands of people every year suffer such a fate.
If you’re hurt due to a healthcare provider’s neglect, the right personal injury lawyer can help. You must find a lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice since such cases are notoriously difficult to win and require assistance from a highly experienced legal professional.
So that you don’t get in your own way, avoid any of these three common mistakes when filing a medical malpractice case.
- Hiring a Lawyer Who Doesn’t Specialize in Medical Malpractice Cases
This is a big one. You must hire a medical malpractice lawyer. While medical malpractice falls under the umbrella of personal injury law, that doesn’t mean that every personal injury lawyer can competently take on medical malpractice cases. You need a lawyer with expertise and experience helping clients seek justice after medical malpractice situations.
Whether in the courtroom or at the negotiating table, you need assistance from a highly experienced medical malpractice lawyer. Otherwise, you’re at a decided disadvantage.
- Assuming the Process Will Be a Swift and Cordial Affair
Another mistake is getting your hopes up by thinking that the right lawyer will facilitate a quick process. Medical malpractice cases can drag on for longer than you think. Many of them are dismissed due to lack of evidence, and those that proceed are more likely to be settled at the bargaining table rather than decided in court. It’s a marathon rather than a sprint.
You can expect the professionals hired to look after the healthcare providers you’re suing to closely examine even the smallest details in your personal and medical records. It can be an exhaustive process — and that can become tedious. The good news is the right medical malpractice lawyer will stay the course and work towards getting you a favorable outcome.
- Waiting Too Long to Pursue a Claim
Another mistake to avoid is waiting too long before taking action. Different states have different timelines for filing medical malpractice claims. You don’t want to dilly-dally and wait so long that it becomes impossible to pursue compensation for damages you’ve sustained.
A medical malpractice injury can lead to life-long consequences that force you to accept a new normal. If entitled to compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, ongoing medical care, lost wages, and other things, you need to retain the services of a medical malpractice lawyer immediately. Excessive delay might take the option of filing a medical malpractice claim off the table, which could leave you in a precarious situation.
Avoid These 3 Errors at All Costs
These are some things to avoid if you want to file a medical malpractice claim after a healthcare provider’s negligence. Hire a lawyer with a track record for helping people in your shoes. After doing so, follow their lead. You can ask questions, get answers, and do what your legal professional recommends to secure the outcome you want.
Again, medical malpractice cases are hard to prove, so you don’t want to make things more difficult.
