Three Reasons To Hire A Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Most people completely trust the healthcare professionals treating them, so learning that your treatment was not up to the standard of care can be shocking and upsetting. No one wants to be the victim of medical malpractice, but unfortunately, it does happen. Whether due to negligence or lack of proper treatment, medical malpractice can negatively affect a person's life, sometimes for the long term. In some extreme cases, medical malpractice can also lead to a person's death. If you have strong reasons to believe that you are a victim of medical malpractice, it is in your best interest to hire a medical malpractice lawyer. Some of the top reasons to hire a medical malpractice lawyer include:
Determine If You Have a Case
Medical malpractice cases tend to be very complex and complicated. Some people believe that they are the victims of medical malpractice, when in reality their cases actually do not meet the definition of medical malpractice. For example, if you have cancer and undergo radiation treatments, but your cancer does not go into remission, that is not medical malpractice since not all forms of treatment are guaranteed to work. However, if you have a surgery and a surgical sponge is left inside your body, and it causes a severe infection, that is medical malpractice since there is a strict protocol to ensure that those types of things don't happen. A medical malpractice lawyer will review the details of your case to determine if you have a valid malpractice claim.
Deal with the Insurance Company
Healthcare professionals carry malpractice insurance, so if there is evidence of malpractice, the settlement will be paid by an insurance company. Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with, and they don't want to hand out settlements, even when a valid claim is filed. When you hire a medical malpractice lawyer, he or she will take care of all communication with the insurance company on your behalf so you don't have to deal with it.
Arrange Expert Witnesses
If your lawyer and the insurance company can't come to an agreement on a settlement, your case may go to court. Most medical malpractice trials necessitate having expert witnesses testify on the behalf of the defendant. Expert witnesses are typically experienced physicians who review the details of the case and then explain to the jury and judge specific incidences of malpractice. A good medical malpractice lawyer will be able to arrange to have expert witnesses testify on your behalf if your case goes to court.
To learn more about medical malpractice cases, contact a medical malpractice law firm in your area.