Currently the third-leading annual cause of death in America, medical malpractice is a major health crisis facing our nation. Because the problem is so widespread, chances are that you or someone you know has been the victim of medical malpractice in New Mexico. If you’ve been personally injured by a negligent doctor or you’ve lost a loved one due to a physician’s negligence in New Mexico, you may be considering filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, there are many things you need to think about before you actually file suit. Here, our knowledgeable New Mexico medical malpractice lawyers at Carabin Shaw will tell you what to consider before filing a medical malpractice suit in New Mexico, so you know what to expect.
1. Medical Malpractice Cases are Often Difficult to WinIt’s a fact that doctors win the vast majority of medical malpractice cases that end up going to trial. There is no consensus between legal experts as to why this is so, but the truth is that juries will often side with the doctors and hospitals—and this is something to think about before deciding to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Enlisting the services of an experienced lawyer can improve your chances of winning your case significantly.
2. You Will Need a Medical Expert to Weigh InNo matter the circumstances of your case or the attorney you choose, you will need the assistance of a medical expert witness—or possibly even a team of experts—in order to build your medical malpractice case. This medical expert will be tasked with determining the medical standard of care that the negligent doctor or surgeon failed to meet. And medical experts are not cheap, with hourly fees costing upwards of $500 per hour. In fact, medical expert witnesses earn, on average, more than double the cost of non-medical expert witnesses. Because of this, you will also need to consider the next factor...
3. Medical Malpractice Cases are ExpensiveBecause of the absolute necessity of medical expert witnesses, cases involving medical malpractice in New Mexico are very expensive to litigate. This means that unless your injuries—or financial damages—were severe, it may not be financially worthwhile to pursue your lawsuit. Before deciding for or against a lawsuit, however, it is important to consult with a qualified lawyer to make sure you are pursuing the best possible course of action for your case.
4. It is Important to Choose the Right AttorneyNot all New Mexico hospital negligence attorneys are equally qualified, and that’s why it’s so important to do your research before hiring a lawyer.
When choosing a lawyer, make sure to ask what percentage of their cases involve medical malpractice, and what percentage of their cases end up going to trial. You will also want to choose a law firm with a sizeable legal team, because a firm with just two or three lawyers will not have the resources to take on a hospital in court.
The Carabin Shaw DifferenceHere at Carabin Shaw, we have been handling and winning medical malpractice cases for more than two decades. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling malpractice claims, and have a combined 200 years of legal experience. We’ve recovered more than $500 million in compensation for our satisfied clients, and we will help you maximize the value of your medical malpractice claim. While it’s true that medical malpractice cases are never easy, we have fought hospitals before, and won.
So call our New Mexico office today at 915-779-2301 for your free consultation with one of our New Mexico medical malpractice lawyers and find out how we can help after your experience with medical malpractice in New Mexico.