How Medical Malpractice Cases Work: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you or a loved one has suffered at the hands of a negligent medical professional, you may have grounds to take legal action in the form of a medical malpractice claim. Because of the number of legal hoops you may be asked to jump through during the process, it’s important that you understand what filing a medical malpractice claim entails. From hiring an attorney to filing and drafting the complaint against your doctor, in this blog we give you a step-by-step guide to how a medical malpractice case works.

Read on to learn more, and if you’re in need of a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney, contact Murphy Falcon & Murphy today.

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Step 1: Hiring an Attorney

Although there are a number of legal aspects that you can handle on your own before needing to bring in a legal professional, it’s strongly suggested that you hire a medical malpractice attorney sooner rather than later. An attorney can help you file your case before the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is up and can also reach out to the medical professional whom you are bringing the claim against. Additionally, there may be pre-suit requirements that need to be met before filing your case. Having a legal expert from Murphy Falcon & Murphy on your side can be extremely beneficial to ensure nothing slips through the cracks, which can prove to be a costly mistake in the long run.

Step 2: Get Copies of Your Medical Records

Medical records and documentation are the backbone to any strong medical malpractice case, and its contents have the potential to make or break your case. Because of privacy laws, it’s likely that you’ll have to sign a waiver that allows your Baltimore medical malpractice attorney, along with the defendant’s lawyers, to get copies of your medical records. Medical records provide your legal team with a deeper understanding of your case, and also gives them the opportunity to look for medical experts who can weigh in and offer crucial testimonies that may help your case.

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Step 3: Notify Insurance Companies

Any notice of a potential lawsuit should be brought forth to your insurance company and hospital. In some cases, the notice will cause your insurance coverage to begin an internal review of your case, which may result in an acceptable settlement before even filing the suit. It’s very important, however, that you discuss any early settlements with your medical malpractice attorney. Oftentimes, insurance companies will prioritize profit and offer you a settlement that is far less than what you deserve and are entitled to.

Step 4: Comply with Pre-Suit Requirements

Pre-suit requirements are intended to speed up the legal process and take care of any unnecessary obstacles and stressors. These requirements also open the door for discussions pertaining to the possibility of early settlements to avoid having to bring the case to lengthy court proceedings. Communicate with your lawyer about any pre-suit requirement in your medical malpractice and he or she will make sure everything is in order for your case.

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Step 5: Officially Filing a Medical Malpractice Complaint

The final step in filing your medical malpractice case is drafting the complaint, which is a formal document that cites the allegations you are bringing against your doctor or other healthcare professional. Filing the complaint is what triggers the lawsuit to begin shortly after. Your Murphy Falcon & Murphy legal representative can help you draft this formal document and help guide you through all the legal processes that follow.

Schedule a Consultation With Our Baltimore Medical Malpractice Law Firm

We entrust doctors and physicians to take care of our health, but when that trust is betrayed, it can result in painful and ultimately life-changing injuries. At Murphy Falcon & Murphy, our dedicated Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have successfully fought for justice on behalf of injured clients. Learn how our firm can help by scheduling a legal consultation today!