When a patient visits a healthcare provider, they should receive a high standard of care. Unfortunately, medical professionals can make mistakes that may result in long-term complications to a person’s physical and emotional health. If you are the victim of medical negligence, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim to receive compensation for any suffering you experience as a result of your poor medical care.
Medical negligence is surprisingly common. Some experts estimate that mistakes by healthcare providers are the third leading cause of death in the country – after cancer and heart disease. Here is what you need to know about the process of initiating a medical malpractice suit:
Are you a victim of medical negligence?
Not all mistakes qualify as medical negligence. You may be unsatisfied with the care you received from a medical provider, but that is not necessarily enough to make a case for medical negligence. There is a difference between a person who is unhappy with the outcome of their cosmetic surgery and someone who cannot walk due to a mistake on the operating table.
A provider’s negligence must be a preventable error that caused injury or damage. Any evidence you have of this – including photographs, medical documentation, communication with your doctor – is worth discussing with your lawyer. Your lawyer can assess the strength of your case and talk you through your options for pursuing litigation.
When to file a claim
Time is of the essence when pursuing legal action for medical negligence. In Michigan, you must initiate your claim within two years of the date of the negligence, or six months from the date when you first discovered the problem resulting from the negligent act. This is why it’s worth getting in touch with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.
Everyone deserves quality medical care. Medical malpractice claims can help distressed patients regain their peace of mind.
