We expect that our doctors are going to honor the Hippocratic Oath they swore to do their patients no harm. Unfortunately, that just is not how it always turns out. Medical malpractice is more common than many people know. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Approximately 225,000 people die every year from medical malpractice, which includes incorrect diagnosis and surgical errors. Many more sustain life-altering injuries.
If you have been the victim of medical malpractice, you probably have mounting medical bills and might be unable to work either temporarily or permanently. While things might seem grim, you could have grounds for a medical malpractice claim and an entitlement to damages for your injuries. Hiring a personal injury attorney can help you advocate for yourself against the responsible party, regardless of whether you accept a settlement or take the case before a judge.
Speeding Up Your Claim
Personal injury cases often take months or even years to process. Claims have to go through a ton of legal paperwork, connecting with witnesses, red tape from insurance companies, and other types of delays. You might not have months to wait when you have mounting medical bills and a loss of income.
A personal injury lawyer can help you speed up the claims process. They can deal with the defendant’s legal team and all involved insurance companies, taking the stress off your shoulders and allowing you to focus on recovery.
Getting to a Settlement Agreement
Many personal injury cases never go to court but rather end in a settlement agreement between the victim and the other party’s insurance company. However, that insurance company will try to offer you the lowest possible settlement amount so that they don’t have to fork over a ton of money.
If you have a lawyer on your side while negotiating settlements, you stand a better chance of getting the best terms. They can advise if the insurance company is trying to low-ball you and argue for a bigger payout.
Court Representation
If you are unable to reach a feasible settlement agreement, your case can turn into a lawsuit. This needs to be handled in court before a judge. If this happens, then you need a lawyer to advocate for you. While you have the option of representing yourself, the defending party will likely have their own legal team. Your chance of winning your claim will be higher with a skilled attorney on your side.
Help Navigating the Claims Process
The personal injury claim process is nothing short of convoluted. One little missed step could result in your payout being lessened or delayed. Your attorney will help you gather all your documentation, contact law enforcement, and go over the related liability laws in your case.
What your attorney will want from you is a thorough and honest account of what happened to you. From there, they will guide you through the claims process until the final determination, whether it happens via settlement agreement or a judge’s decision.
An Objective Outsider
A medical malpractice injury is a traumatic experience, and it can be hard to remain objective when dealing with attorneys, insurance companies, and law enforcement. Your personal injury attorney will objectively go over your case in detail, enabling them to make the most solid case possible for you. Even if your injury resulted from a root canal gone wrong, your lawyer can remain objective and present the facts.
The important thing is that you receive the best care possible so that you can recover. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can alleviate some of the stress of filing a personal injury claim. After all, you deserve to have a professional on your side, advocating for you in the aftermath of a medical malpractice injury.
