What Do I Need to Know About Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
June 13, 2019
A common misconception about medical malpractice cases is that any time a health care provider makes a mistake, it amounts to medical malpractice. However, to file a malpractice lawsuit, you must have grounds to make a claim. There are several things to consider if you are unsure about whether you have grounds to make a claim, and who you should name as the negligent party. Depending on the nature of the error, you may make the claim against a doctor, the hospital, or the health care system. A skilled and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can guide you through the claims process and address all your questions and concerns.
Typically, a health care provider is considered negligent if the patient did not receive the same standard of care that they would have received from another medical provider in a similar situation. Most healthcare providers are dedicated medical professionals who strive to provide each patient with the best care possible. Unfortunately, doctors are also human and can make mistakes, ranging from delayed diagnosis and medication errors to surgical errors and poor medical care overall.
Steps to Follow When Pursuing a Malpractice Lawsuit
- Contact the medical professional: Do this before you file the claim so that you can gain a better understanding of what went wrong and give the physician the opportunity to correct the problem or offer a solution. Oftentimes, physicians will perform certain services or procedures free of charge to fix the problem.
- Contact the licensing board: If you were unable to reach a solution by contacting the medical professional, consider contacting the licensing board that is responsible for medical licenses. They may issue a warning to the health care provider and offer advice about what to do next.
- Be aware of the statute of limitations: Medical malpractice claims must be filed within a certain period from when the injury occurred. If you file after the deadline, you may be ineligible to collect compensation.
- Obtain a Medical Assessment to confirm negligence: If you file a medical malpractice claim in Maryland, you must file a certificate of merit to prove that your injuries were a direct result of your health care professional’s negligence. A medical expert will review your records and confirm whether your physician failed to provide the standard of care. Your medical malpractice lawyer will file the certificate as evidence that your claim has merit.
- Consider settling out of court: Most medical malpractice cases are settled out of court because of how costly and time-consuming they can be. In addition, insurance companies reject a large percentage of malpractice claims.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Medical Negligence
If you were injured or your health has been compromised while under the care of a medical professional, you are urged to contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. We will walk you through every step of the claims process and ensure that you receive the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
