Filing A Medical Malpractice Claim: 3 Facts You Need To Know
When you turn to your doctor or surgeon for treatment, you are literally putting your life in their hands. So when these medical professionals act in a neglectful or incompetent manner that results in serious injury, you have every right to demand that they are held accountable for their actions. The most effective way to do this is by filing a medical malpractice claim. Unfortunately, these claims can be incredibly complex and far too many malpractice claims will never result in a settlement. Thankfully, you can help to prevent this from happening in your case by taking a moment to review the important facts outlined below.
Fact #1: The Medical Field Is Self Regulated
The medical field is one of only a few industries that is self regulated. What this means is that other medical professionals will be responsible for determining whether or not your physician committed malpractice. This is done by conducting their own review of your case file and completing their own physical examination of your injuries. If you are unable to find a doctor that agrees with your assertion of malpractice, you will not be able to successfully file a malpractice claim against your original physician. Consulting with a malpractice attorney can help you to locate an impartial doctor who can assess your case.
Fact #2: Not All Malpractice Cases Will Be Accepted By Attorneys
Due to the complexity of malpractice cases, having the expertise of a qualified attorney on your side will be essential to the success of your case. However, it is also this complexity that causes malpractice attorneys to decline up to 80% of their requests for representation.
Since medical malpractice attorneys routinely work on a contingency basis, it is important that they only take on cases they are sure they can win. This means choosing only those cases with the most merit. In order to clearly demonstrate the merit in your case when consulting a malpractice attorney, it is vital that you document all interactions you have with your physician, as well as the results of any medical tests you have undergone since the malpractice occurred. This documentation should be provided to the attorney during your initial consultation in order to improve your chances of having your case accepted.
Fact #3: Medical Malpractice Claims Come With A Statute Of Limitations
As with all personal injury claims, there will be a statute of limitations attached to your ability to file a medical malpractice claim. If you allow this statute of limitations to expire, you will permanently lose your right to file a claim for compensation. This is why it is so important to act quickly if you believe that you have been the victim of malpractice. Contact a law firm, like Hazelton Law Group, today to see if you have a case.