If you’ve suffered personal injuries due to inappropriate or insufficient care provided by a medical practitioner or healthcare facility, you should know you have legal recourse for recovering damages from the party or parties at fault for your injuries. You should also know that medical malpractice suits are among the most difficult personal injury claims to win and as such require the experience and knowledge of a medical malpractice attorney.
Financial Liability for Your Medical Malpractice Injuries
Medical practitioners and healthcare facilities carry extensive liability insurance to cover any malpractice claims filed against them. Malpractice suits can have long lasting implications for medical practitioners, damaging their reputation, raising the cost of the malpractice insurance premiums, and in some case even costing them their medical license. As malpractice suits can be very costly for healthcare providers, they secure the best insurance and legal services they can afford in order to fight malpractice claims. You will also need a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney to represent you and work to secure you the financial damages to which you may be entitled for the injuries you’ve suffered.
The Initial Consultation for a Medical Malpractice Claim
Your first step to hiring a medical malpractice lawyer is to schedule an initial consultation meeting. During this meeting the attorney will review the merits of your case, all of the documentation you have associated with your injuries, and other details of your claim to determine the viability of a personal injury case. The lawyer will education you on how medical malpractice claims are typically handled in the legal system, including the kinds of damages you could seek, the length of time the case may take, and the legal fees that may be incurred in the process.
A personal injury attorney who handles malpractice claims usually works on contingency. This allows even those who do not have the financial resources to hire an attorney and file a malpractice suit to still pursue damages and hold the medical practitioner(s) at fault for their injuries responsible for their actions. A contingency contract entitled the attorney to a certain percentage of the damages a claimant is awarded in a successful personal injury lawsuit.
What Help can a Medical Malpractice Attorney Provide?
Medical malpractice cases are notoriously difficult. As such, you will need an attorney accustomed to arguing malpractice claims. A malpractice lawyer will be able to collect the appropriate documentation and medical records for supporting your claim. He or she will also collect eye witness accounts, expert testimony or statements, and other details necessary for successfully negotiating a settlement in your case or arguing your claim for damages at in court.
In addition to providing these services, a malpractice attorney is also your legal advocate. He or she serves as the central person in your case, handling all legal paperwork, communications, and negotiations for a potential settlement. Your attorney will advise you on the best course of action in your claim – settling out of court or proceeding to trial – all while seeking to get you the highest award of damages possible in your case to pay for medical expenses and other losses you’ve experienced due to your personal injuries.