Medical Mistake
When you arrive in a hospital or doctor’s office, you expect to be treated with the utmost care and compassion. If you suffer harm at the hands of a doctor during a procedure, what can you do? As a medical mistake lawyer from Cohen & Cohen can explain, doctors make mistakes or act negligently and result in a harmful incident for the patient. If you need additional treatment because of a mistake, you do have options and you may be entitled to compensation.
Gather Evidence of Injury
Before you file a claim, you need to have evidence of harm. For example, if your illness became worse or if you suffered an injury, you need to see another doctor who can provide you with a medical report. You also need to be able to prove that your injury was caused by the doctor. If you did not suffer harm or if it was a reasonable mistake, you may not have a medical malpractice case.
Consult With a Lawyer
Once you believe that you have a medical malpractice case, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. While it is possible to file a lawsuit on your own, it is better to speak with a lawyer in advance. He or she will look through your evidence and give you an idea as to whether you have a case and may even be able to estimate how large of a settlement you could receive. Having a lawyer advocate for you increases your chances of winning a settlement.
File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Once you discuss your case with a medical malpractice lawyer, he or she will give you the option to file a claim. Your attorney will advise you on your deadlines to file the claim. Next, he or she will be able to guide you through the procedure. In some states, you may have to go through pre-filing requirements for medical malpractice cases.
This generally involves obtaining expert support for your case. You need to have expert opinions as to whether or not you received the medical standard of care or if the doctor acted negligently. The lawyer will draft and file the complaint in civil court. Once the lawyer files the complaint, the case begins.
If you suffered harm at the hands of a doctor, you could be entitled to compensation. To find out more about how to file a medical malpractice case, consult with a medical mistake lawyer as soon as possible.