Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional fails to fulfill their duty of care toward a patient and causes harm to the patient through either negligence or through omission. Each day, hundreds of patients fall victim to medical malpractice, and it’s estimated that between 65,000 and 200,000 patients die due to medical accidents in the U.S. every year. If you’ve been hurt as a result of medical malpractice in Corpus Christi, or have lost a loved one as the result of a disastrous medical error, you may be considering filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. And if you’re considering filing a lawsuit, you likely have many questions.
If you’re asking yourself, “What’s involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit” or “Do I need a lawyer for my potential medical malpractice case in Corpus Christi?” then our Corpus Christi medical malpractice lawyers are here to help.
What is Involved in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?There are several steps involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit:
1. Investigation & Consulting Experts
This first step is important because you must first determine whether or not medical negligence occurred – and if it did, whether or not this negligence resulted in injury. During this stage, your attorney will review all of the medical records and will consult a medical expert with a background in the relevant area of medicine to determine the standard of care in your situation, before determining how the negligent doctor deviated from that standard.
2. Filing the Lawsuit
If your lawyer’s initial investigation finds that malpractice did in fact occur, the next step is to file your lawsuit. Your attorney will file the suit on your behalf and serve papers to the defendant.
3. Discovery
During this phase, both parties obtain evidence. In this step, the doctor or medical professional will give a deposition telling their side of the story, and you will do the same. Expert witnesses will also provide depositions.
4. Negotiation / Settlement
According to our Corpus Christi medical malpractice lawyers, the great majority of medical malpractice suits do not go to trial but are rather settled out of court. However, if your case isn’t settled through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, the final step will be going to trial.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer?While you may be technically able to file a lawsuit without the help of a lawyer, it is certainly unwise to do so. If you’re considering filing a lawsuit on your own, you should know that medical malpractice suits are frequently complex and difficult cases. If the injury is severe, you may be faced with the prospect of a serious illness or disability that will require ongoing care, meaning that it’s crucial to obtain a fair settlement.
Furthermore, proving negligence is no easy task; you must prove that the doctor failed to act reasonably and that this negligence caused your injury, and that the injury has led to specific damages. Hiring the right medical malpractice attorney serving Corpus Christi will give you the best shot at winning your lawsuit, which you most likely cannot afford to lose.
How Do I Find the Best Medical Negligence Lawyers Near Me? What Should I Look for When Choosing a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Texas?When choosing among Corpus Christi hospital negligence lawyers, there are many factors you’ll need to take into consideration. You need a lawyer who regularly handles medical malpractice cases and has a proven track record of success. You also want to choose a law firm that has enough resources and experience to take on a hospital’s sizeable legal team. Finally, you’ll want to choose a lawyer with a compassionate and professional demeanor, because you need someone you can trust.
At Carabin Shaw, our lawyers meet all of these criteria and more. We’ve been handling medical malpractice cases for more than two decades, and our team has a combined 200 years of legal experience. We’ve secured more than $500 million in compensation for our clients, and we know how to maximize the value of your claim to get you the settlement you deserve.
If you’re ready to hire a medical malpractice attorney serving Corpus Christi, you should know that Carabin Shaw offers all new clients a free, no obligation consultation. To schedule your free consultation with one of our Corpus Christi medical malpractice lawyers, call our Corpus Christi office today at 361-444-1111.