Navigating any legal process is notoriously difficult, and even attorneys rarely represent themselves when facing personal legal cases. If you are looking for guidance on filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, you have likely suffered substantial harm caused by your healthcare provider. Most people need support and advocacy at a time like this, not added stress and hassle.
Working with a medical malpractice lawyer is the best way to ensure your case is handled appropriately and you maximize your chances for a successful outcome.
Injured patients can file lawsuits against healthcare providers like doctors, nurses, surgeons, physical therapists, psychiatrists, and even hospitals. If you were harmed or injured by a medical practitioner’s negligence, recklessness, or other wrongdoing, you may be able to sue for medical malpractice.
You can consult with a medical malpractice attorney at any stage of your injury claim, but sooner is better. Your lawyer can help you:
Depending on the complexity of your case and the individual processes that your claim will require, there are dozens of different steps that must be taken in a medical malpractice claim. Some of the stages and steps you should know about are discussed below.
Connecticut requires that an injured patient intending to file a medical malpractice claim obtain a written opinion from a qualified medical expert. This must be done prior to initiating the malpractice lawsuit. If the medical professional believes that the provider in question breached their standard of care and the patient was harmed as a result, they will provide that determination in the opinion document, and you can proceed with your claim.
Discovery is an important part of a medical malpractice case. It involves both sides exchanging documents and evidence to gather the information they need to build their arguments. Knowing what to request, how to respond, and what to look for during the discovery process is crucial.
Many injured patients choose to go through mediation and settlement discussions prior to a trial, and this is the stage in which many medical malpractice cases are resolved. During mediation, a neutral mediator will facilitate discussions between the parties in an attempt to reach an agreement for settlement.
If an agreement is not made in mediation, trial is often the next step. Your medical malpractice attorney will build a case to present in court, providing evidence and arguments to support your claim for damages.
In addition to obtaining a qualified medical expert’s written opinion, Connecticut has numerous laws you must comply with in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
One of the most important requirements to be aware of immediately after your injury is that you generally only have two years to initiate a claim for medical malpractice in Connecticut. This time limit is known as a statute of limitations. The clock starts when you discover your injury or when it reasonably should have been discovered. However, you must also keep in mind that regardless of when you discover the injury, action must be taken within a maximum of three years from the date of the harmful act; or if a death is involved, then not more than five years.
Have you been injured by your doctor or other healthcare provider’s negligence or recklessness? Don’t wait to discuss your options with a medical malpractice lawyer. Contact D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, today to schedule a free consultation.
