5 Reasons to Hire a Michigan Medical Malpractice Lawyer

At least 250,000 people across the U.S. die each year as a result of medical mistakes. In fact, researchers at the esteemed Johns Hopkins University rank medical malpractice as the third leading cause of death in the country. Losing a family member under any circumstances is devastating. However, when a loved one dies because a doctor or other medical practitioner was negligent, the tragedy is compounded. If this happens, here are five reasons why you should hire an experienced Michigan medical malpractice lawyer.

Many patients do not realize their rights regarding medical malpractice

When a physician makes a mistake that causes serious harm to a patient, it is usually considered medical malpractice. In Michigan, as in most states, victims are entitled to sue a physician or hospital providing certain conditions are met.

• The patient must prove the physician or other medical practitioner was negligent.
• The person suffered serious harm or injury as a direct result of this negligence.
• The victim incurred damages as a result of the negligence; including monetary costs such as lost wages and medical bills, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

A seasoned Michigan medical malpractice lawyer understands the complexities of negligence

Malpractice can happen in a variety of ways in and a wide range of settings. Doctors or nurses can make mistakes during an office visit, before, during or after surgery, or in a nursing home or hospital.

While some types of malpractice are obvious, others are more subtle and harder to recognize. Therefore, patients or family members are wise to consult a knowledgeable malpractice lawyer if they suspect negligence has occurred.

Here are some examples of medical mistakes that can result in illness, injury or death:

• Performing unnecessary surgery or on the wrong site
• Discharging a patient prematurely
• Using forceps incorrectly during delivery
• Failing to monitor a newborn’s oxygen level before or during delivery
• Failing to provide appropriate prenatal care
• Misdiagnosing cancer or another serious disease
• Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage
• Misinterpreting laboratory results
• Incorrectly administering and monitoring anesthesia
• Failing to order necessary diagnostic testing
• Failing to follow up on test results
• Ignoring signs of infection
• Failing to take a complete patient history
• Disregarding symptoms of a serious illness
• Misdiagnosing a heart attack or heart disease
• Keeping faulty records or failing to read patient’s chart

Preparing a medical malpractice case requires a high level of legal expertise

Medical malpractice is a complex and highly specialized area of the law. There is a strict statute of limitations and numerous deadlines for filing the required forms and documents. Therefore, you need a Michigan malpractice lawyer who thoroughly understands the multifaceted legal issues and extensive procedural rules.

A skilled Michigan medical malpractice lawyer will help you achieve a better financial outcome

While every situation is different, plaintiffs generally fare better with an accomplished medical malpractice lawyer on their side. A victim may receive compensation for economic damages, such as lost wages and medical expenses, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Hiring a qualified attorney is especially important if you are entitled to non-economic damages, which are typically harder to prove. 

If your case goes to trial, you want an experienced malpractice lawyer to represent you in court

While many medical malpractice lawsuits are settled out of court, this does not always happen. When the parties cannot come to a mutual agreement, a case may be scheduled for trial. In this situation, you need an accomplished attorney who knows how to prepare and present a winning case. 

If you suspect you or a loved one has been harmed by a negligent doctor or medical care provider, call us immediately. Our experienced Michigan medical malpractice lawyers will help you win the compensation you and your family deserve.

Medical malpractice law is complicated, but finding the right lawyer is simple.

Call 1-800-CALL-SAM today for a free no-obligation consultation.

Sources:

• https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/medical-malpractice/laws-michigan.html
• https://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i2139.full