4 Important Reasons to Consider a Medical Malpractice Suit4 Important Reasons to Consider a Medical Malpractice Suit
Many victims of medical malpractice are hesitant to consult an attorney or consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. They feel that their injuries may not be worth filing a lawsuit for, or that they may have difficulty proving a medical malpractice claim in court. However, a malpractice suit should be considered when medical malpractice is suspected so that legal support can be obtained, such as a dental expert witness, if needed for litigation support.
1. Thorough diagnosis takes time.
Although current injuries or consequences of medical malpractice may be considered minor, they could become worse over time. Some injuries do not even show up on tests or exhibit symptoms for months or even past the statute of limitations. Filing a lawsuit provides time to investigate the nature of the injuries and obtain medical diagnosis as well as prognosis for any future treatment or recovery. A legal claim enables a plaintiff to determine the scope and severity of injuries, as well.
2. Some symptoms may be challenging to discover.
Latent issues may develop randomly for undergo evaluation. For example, a surgery that develops complications due to a doctor’s negligence, constituting medical malpractice, may be the primary focus of potential litigation and a claim for damages. However, related problems stemming from the surgical problems may affect other parts of the body, such as chipped teeth resulting from improperly placed or inadequately monitored anesthesia equipment, such as tubes. If problems of this nature are suspected, a dental expert witness can examine the records of a diagnostic exam, including x-rays, and provide a report to confirm any dental damage resulting from the surgery.
3. Experts may be needed.
Working with a medical malpractice attorney who is knowledgeable about this area of law will help to provide a full scope of inquiry about the nature of existing or potential injuries, and calculate estimated damages that a victim may be entitled to. Further, the attorney can prepare the plaintiff for legal proceedings such as interrogatories, depositions, and courtroom testimony. Someone who has been injured due to a doctor’s mistakes may not feel mentally or physically ready to obtain medical reports and medical experts. An attorney who takes the case for exploratory purposes enables the patient to get a thorough evaluation and set of medical records for expert evaluation.
4. Hidden injuries may heal but surface later.
Not filing a claim could lead to missing important injuries that heal on their own. Had they been diagnosed earlier for litigation purposes, they might also render facts that lead to additional legal compensation.
Unless injuries are slight, it is a good idea to consult a medical malpractice lawyer for advice on whether and how to file a claim.