We often discuss the fact that patients and their loved ones have the option to pursue legal action in light of a medical mistake or negligent medical care. However, it can be much more difficult to navigate the legal system than people realize which is why legal representation can be crucial.
In our last post, for instance, we discussed some of the nuances and challenges of even building a claim in the first place. In this post, we will discuss a couple obstacles that can come up even after you’ve built your case and collected the necessary evidence and testimony.
One aspect that can prove to be a challenge is knowing what types of damages you may be seeking. There are different types of damages, including economic and non-economic, and you can have a very difficult time calculating everything. This can be especially true if you have lost a loved one and need to identify a number representative of that person’s life.
Another obstacle can arise when the hospital or doctor named in your lawsuit offers a settlement, which is quite common. However, you need to be very careful when it comes to these offers. Sometimes they are fair and allow everyone to avoid the stress and cost of a lengthy courtroom battle. Other times, they are far lower than what a judge or jury may realistically order. Weighing the pros and cons in these situations can be very complicated.
These are just two areas of the legal process that can present considerable challenges for people who do not have an understanding of personal injury and medical malpractice claims.
It is for these and many other reasons that it is generally wise to have the guidance, experience and support of an attorney by your side if you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a medical error. For information on how you can contact an attorney at our firm to discuss your case, please visit our website.
