According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, medical malpractice is a complex and constantly evolving area of injury law. Health-care professionals have a much higher standard of care than ordinary people. If they make mistakes, the results are often fatal or physically debilitating.
If you or a loved one was the victim of a medical worker’s negligence, contact the Law Offices of Needle & Ellenberg, PA. A medical malpractice lawyer in Orlando can investigate your circumstances and help you pursue the maximum compensation. We can handle settlement negotiations on your behalf, and if your case goes to trial, we have the litigation experience to represent your interests in court.
Call 305-290-1736 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit the USAttorneys website to learn more about medical malpractice claims in Florida.
Here are five important steps to take if you were the victim of a medical error:
1. Discuss the problem with your doctor as soon as possible.
The moment you notice something is wrong, schedule an appointment with your doctor. At this meeting, you should discuss the issue honestly and try to resolve it.
Surgery errors are common and often easy to fix. Your doctor should be willing to resolve the problem for free.
2. Ask a medical malpractice lawyer for advice.
A medical malpractice lawyer can explain the laws that relate to your case. He or she can structure your claim. It may be necessary to organize an independent medical examination and expert testimonies. Your negligence attorney can help with these.
3. Do not miss the deadline for your claim.
According to Florida Statutes, you have two years to file a claim of medical malpractice. This timeframe begins either when the malpractice occurs or when you discover it.
Do not be late. You will lose your opportunity to claim compensation. There is a limit of $500,000 if your claim is against a practitioner. If the liable person was not a practitioner, then this cap is set at $750,000.
4. Undergo an independent medical examination.
To validate your injury’s extent and severity, you will likely need to attend an independent medical exam. The defendant has the right to request this of you. However, IMEs often conclude their findings in favor of the hiring party. Your medical malpractice lawyer may organize an IME on your behalf.
5. Calculate your damages.
It is important to quantify your damages before accepting a settlement offer. The money that you receive must cover your past, present and future losses.
If the injury is not that serious, then settling early may be cheaper and wiser. However, catastrophic injuries are significantly more expensive, complex and lengthy to treat. You may need to consider future loss of income, future medical care and more.
If you were the victim of medical malpractice, contact the Law Offices of Needle & Ellenberg, PA. An Orlando negligence attorney can evaluate your case and structure your claim. Call 305-290-1736 to schedule a consultation.