what kind of attorney do i need to sue a doctor

by Pearlie Mayert 3 min read

To receive the compensation you deserve, you may need to sue the doctor, medical professional, or healthcare service provider that provided or failed to provide treatment to you. The best and most experienced type of lawyer that can help you with your case is a medical malpractice lawyer.Feb 23, 2021

Should I Sue my doctor?

Feb 23, 2021 · To receive the compensation you deserve, you may need to sue the doctor, medical professional, or healthcare service provider that provided or failed to provide treatment to you. The best and most experienced type of lawyer that can help you with your case is a medical malpractice lawyer.

How to sue your doctor?

Mar 04, 2015 · Posted on Mar 4, 2015. If the doctor fell below the standard of care, then you would want a medical negligence (aka medical malpractice) attorney. Be advised that med-mal claims are expensive and very difficult to prove - and that's if …

Who is the best medical malpractice attorney?

Second, you need an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in order to get anywhere in settlement discussions with the doctor's insurance company. Medical malpractice insurance companies won't take an unrepresented plaintiff seriously, and might not even extend a fair settlement offer to a plaintiff whose lawyer does not specialize in medical malpractice.

Why is Sue your doctor?

Jun 25, 2019 · A: I'm very sorry for your loss. As a starting point, you could contact a medical malpractice attorney in Michigan for an initial consultation. In terms of your question about having a case, that is something an attorney could make a more meaningful determination after learning more details from you and possibly obtaining medical records.

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Andre Alexander Rouviere

Although the sub-category of lawyer you need is medical malpractice, the general category is Civil Trial Lawyer.

Roy D. Wasson

Reach out to a personal injury attorney who specializes in medical malpractice. They will be in the best position to evaluate your case and advise you of any cause of actions you may have. Best of luck.

Coleman Peter Hengesbach

If the doctor fell below the standard of care, then you would want a medical negligence (aka medical malpractice) attorney. Be advised that med-mal claims are expensive and very difficult to prove - and that's if the treating doctor has insurance to pay the claim.

Dennis Michael Phillips

The type of lawyer is called a medical malpractice lawyer. Avvo has a great "find a lawyer" tool to locate a local lawyer.

Christian K. Lassen II

Medical Malpractice lawyer - but don't hold your breath. Patients that hurt themselves that have long standing substance abuse problems and/or mental issues do not usually make good med-mal plaintiffs or cases unless there is some outrageous conduct by doctors.

Why is finding a lawyer important in a medical malpractice case?

First, medical malpractice cases are a challenge to win, since they tend to involve complex legal and medical issues.

How long do you have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit?

All states have specific deadlines for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, set by laws called statutes of limitations. These laws can be very complex, since in most states the deadline can vary depending on the circumstances of a particular case. So the text of a typical statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits might include: 1 the standard filing deadline (i.e. one year, two years) 2 the " discovery rule " exception for situations in which the patient did not know (or could not reasonably have learned) that a health care provider's medical negligence played a role in their harm 3 an overarching time limit for filing the lawsuit (called a "statute of repose"), which applies regardless of any "discovery rule" extension, and 4 the deadline for minors, incapacitated individuals, and others.

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice?

All states have specific deadlines for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, set by laws called statutes of limitations. These laws can be very complex, since in most states the deadline can vary depending on the circumstances of a particular case. So the text of a typical statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits might include:

What is the pre-lawsuit filing rule?

3. The "Certificate of Merit" and Other Pre-Lawsuit Filing Rules. In many states, the plaintiff's lawyer must submit what is called an "offer of proof" or a "cer tificate of merit" when (or soon after) filing the lawsuit, and before any pretrial investigation occurs.

What is a sworn opinion in a medical malpractice case?

Depending on the state's laws, this filing can require a qualified physician to review the plaintiff's medical records and write a sworn opinion decla ring that the defendant physician was negligent in providing care to the plaintiff, and that the physician's negligence caused the plaintiff's subsequent injuries.

How long does a patient have to file a discovery rule?

the standard filing deadline (i.e. one year, two years) the " discovery rule " exception for situations in which the patient did not know (or could not reasonably have learned) that a health care provider's medical negligence played a role in their harm.

Do medical malpractice cases require a medical witness?

Third, medical malpractice cases almost always require an expert medical witness or a team of medical experts in order to prove liability.

How to find a lawyer for medical malpractice?

1. Make a list. Medical malpractice cases are among the most complicated cases to pursue, so you will need a lawyer. Check your Yellow Pages for attorneys, and perform a web search. Type “lawyer,” “medical malpractice,” and your city into your favorite search engine.

What happens if you settle a medical malpractice claim?

If you agree to a settlement with your doctor's medical malpractice insurance company, you will be asked to sign a legal document that prevents you from suing the doctor in the future for the same injuries.

How to build a malpractice case?

Documenting your injury is the most important thing you can do to build a strong medical malpractice case. Request your medical records. Gather a complete set of medical records for your trial, including radiology reports, notes from your doctor, and reports from third-party medical professionals who you visited.

Why is a medical claim worth less?

If the medical treatment aggravated a prior injury, your claim could be worth less because the jury may decide that the prior injury is to blame for your pain and suffering. How sympathetic the plaintiff is. If the plaintiff has a criminal record, then the amount of damages awarded could be lower.

What to do if your doctor denies your request?

Your doctor’s office should provide you with this. If your provider denies your request, it must provide you with a denial letter. The letter should tell you how to appeal, but also realize that you can get the medical records with a subpoena after you initiate a lawsuit.

Can you sue a doctor for malpractice?

When suing a doctor for malpractice, you can sue the doctor independently. In some cases, you can also sue the hospital where you received the negligent treatment. If you were injured during surgery, you also may sue anyone who attended to you during surgery, such as doctors and nurses.

Can you sue a doctor for negligence?

You may want to sue if your doctor was negligent in providing medical care. People are often reluctant to sue a doctor for medical negligence because they aren't aware that they can, or they don't want to sue for damages . If you were injured as the result of negligent medical care, a lawsuit may provide you with compensation for your injuries.

What are some examples of negligence by an anesthesiologist?

Some examples of negligence by an anesthesiologist include: Administering the wrong type of dose of anesthesia. Administering anesthesia too late.

What is medical malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional provides treatment that deviates from accepted standards of care within the medical community, thereby causing injury to a patient. If a doctor, surgeon, hospital, or another party was medically negligent, they may be liable for any ensuing losses.

Can a hospital be held liable for medical malpractice?

Failure to meet these and other standards may be grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. In addition, hospitals can be held vicariously liable if an employee or staff member causes injury to a patient, provided the employee was acting within the scope of their employment at the time the negligent act took place.

Can a doctor be found negligent for failing to order a test?

Failing to order tests: A doctor can be found negligent for failing to order standard tests after observing certain symptoms. Failing to interpret test results correctly: Medical professionals are responsible for interpreting test results correctly.

Can MRIs cause serious injuries?

Medical devices such as MRIs are used routinely to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses. However, they can be misused and result in serious injuries or even death. In addition, manufacturers can be liable for manufacturing defects, design defects, and inadequate warnings.

Is medical malpractice a reward?

Unfortunately, that trust isn’t always rewarded. In some instances, the actions (or lack thereof) of a healthcare professional may rise to the level of malpractice.

Is a hospital liable for malpractice?

Hospital Malpractice. In some cases, the hospital itself may be liable in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Hospitals must adequately evaluate prospective employees. That includes evaluating their prior experience, certifications, and level of education. If a hospital hires an incompetent or underqualified staff member, ...

What to do before you sue a doctor?

Before you decide to sue your doctor, make sure you are prepared to deal with the ensuing aggravation and potential financial ramifications. Expert witnesses, copies of medical records, deposition and witness fees, medical exams -- all of these things cost money.

Can a doctor accuse a brother of making a mistake?

But take any opinions with a grain of salt. Some doctors simply won't accuse a "brother physician" of making a mistake. Some malpractice attorneys will exaggerate the potential of your claim in an attempt to make money.

Is malpractice a thing?

Bringing a medical malpractice claim is not a thing to be taken lightly. Malpractice lawsuits are expensive, time consuming, and can open you up to public inspection. And, unlike most other types of personal injury claims, case trends show a tendency toward favoring doctors and other care providers, not injured plaintiffs.

Do malpractice attorneys make money?

Some malpractice attorneys will exaggerate the potential of your claim in an attempt to make money. Use your best discretion when seeking opinions on your treatment, but be diligent in the pursuit of information. Until you file a lawsuit, you are your own best advocate and investigator.

Can I Just Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for a Medical Malpractice Claim?

Won’t a skilled personal injury attorney do the same thing as a medical malpractice attorney? The short answer: no. Personal injury law is a broad field of legal practice, within which medical malpractice is a very specific area. Medical malpractice cases by their very nature involve complex medical and legal components.

Why do I Need a Dedicated Medical Malpractice Attorney?

There are a myriad of reasons to enlist an experienced medical malpractice lawyer if you want to sue another party for medical negligence. Here are a few of the top things to remember when deciding who will represent you:

What does a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Do?

The complexities of medical malpractice law are vast, which is why it is best to have a lawyer who knows and understands the specifics of medical negligence claims. There are a number of key functions that an experienced medical malpractice attorney will serve when representing you in a lawsuit.

Need a Medical Malpractice Case Attorney in NJ? Contact Fronzuto Law Group for Immediate Assistance

If you or a loved one suffered harm as a result of medical negligence in New Jersey or you are wondering if you may have grounds for a lawsuit, you have come to the right place. Fronzuto Law Group is a team of highly experienced medical malpractice lawyers who assist clients throughout New Jersey with negligence claims.

How long does it take to sue a hospital for medical malpractice?

The medical malpractice statute of limitations for your state is 3 years, and in this situation it would start running on the date of your surgery. As such, you would have until August 1, 2023 to sue the hospital for medical malpractice.

What is the most common legal theory used to sue a hospital?

The most common legal theory used to sue a hospital is medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is when a medical professional acts negligent when treating a patient and they are injured as a result. These individuals will be held to a higher standard of care, which will depend on their type of profession/job title.

How many states have medical malpractice lawsuits?

As of 2020, 29 states have damages caps for medical malpractice lawsuits. The other 21 states do not set any cap for medical malpractice damages. Sometimes it is a blanket cap while other times it will just apply to a certain type of lawsuit or category of damages.

Why do estates file wrongful death lawsuits?

The reason an estate may wish to bring a wrongful death lawsuit is to hold the parties responsible for the person’s death accountable and to compensate the person’s beneficiaries for any losses that resulted. Some available damages include loss of companionship, loss of household services, and funeral expenses.

How long does it take to get a lawsuit against a hospital?

This is generally 2-3 years from the date of the injury or when the injury was discovered. However, it can be more or less time depending on what your state requires for bringing a lawsuit against hospitals. For example, say you underwent back surgery on August 1, 2020 and were paralyzed as a result.

What happens if a doctor makes a mistake?

If a doctor or other staff member makes a mistake then the hospital can still be found liable as their employer. This is known as vicarious liability. However, if the doctor is not directly employed by the hospital but instead works on a contract or floating basis, then the hospital may not be an appropriate defendant.

Can a hospital sue you for medical errors?

If the hospital or any of their staff made a serious medical error and someone gets injured or dies, then the patient may want to consider suing the hospital where they received treatment. As such, there are several instances when someone could sue a hospital .

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