Basic Requirements for Medical Malpractice Claim
Medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. This is an alarming statistic that says a lot about the medical profession at large.
Armed with the above fact, It is of utmost importance to keep the medical community honest and engaged in practicing safe medicine. It is possible by holding them accountable for any negligence on their part. One way to do so is to file a medical malpractice claim or Medical Malpractice suits. So must know Requirements for Medical Malpractice claim.
The Ball is in Your Court When it Comes to Malpractice
If you live in Oklahoma and feel that you or a loved one is the victim of medical negligence, you can file a Medical Malpractice suit within the state. There are certain procedures you will have to be aware of How To File a Malpractice claim? so that the medical malpractice settlement process will go smoother for you.
While it is always good to seek the help of a good Oklahoma medical malpractice lawyer. When filing a medical malpractice claim, there are certain guidelines. Follow them so that they can help both you and your lawyer to meet the compensation you to deserve.
Requirements for Medical Malpractice Claims
Are you aware of the requirements for a medical malpractice suit? If not, understand the requirements for a Medical Malpractice Claim.
Step 1:
As the First, Filing a Medical Malpractice Suit, consult an attorney first. This should seem obvious as most people do not know the law as well as one who practices it.
Your malpractice attorney will help you file your claim on time. You need to file a medical malpractice case before the state’s statute before the limitations run out. Your attorney will tell you how long you have to file.
The law of limitations for malpractice varies from state to state. But if you like to find out what the statute of limitations is for Oklahoma, you can ask Steven E. Clark, an Oklahoma medical malpractice.
An attorney who specializes in malpractice cases can also help you with any further requirements. Your state may have for filing or suggest you about How to File a Medical Malpractice Suit?. Some of these requirements include, but are not limited to: notices of intent, medical. Also for expert affidavits, and review board hearings.
Depending on the state you file from, failure to meet such requirements can lead to the dismissal of your case. That’s why you should always find a lawyer in your state. That is an expert in handling medical malpractice suits. Going at it alone may result in your case never going to trial.
Step 2:
Contact your insurance company and the hospital from where you received your injury. Notifying them of your malpractice suit can sometimes activate coverage and reviews. And even get settlements out of court.
Having an attorney help you with claims adjusters is important. She can often negotiate an acceptable pre-trial settlement and save you and everyone else involved both time and money.
An expert malpractice lawyer can prevent professional claim representatives from taking you lightly. And bullying you into unacceptable compensation.
Step 3:
Get your medical records ready can be another requirement to File a Medical Malpractice Suit. The minute you and your lawyer feel that you have a valid malpractice case, contact your hospital and ask for your medical records.
In most malpractice cases, medical records are often the best source of evidence to prove medical negligence. Your hospital must grant you access to your complete medical history. You must sign a release stating that your attorney and the defendants’ attorneys may have access to them as well.
Armed with your medical records, your attorney can ascertain if you have a reasonable chance of success. If so, she can gather expert witnesses according to the findings within your records and begin the filing procedures with earnest.
After reviewing your medical records if your attorney feels that your case is not worthy of a malpractice suit, they will notify you. And might dismiss the filing process altogether. While this may not be the desired outcome, it will save you a ton of money in the long run.
Step 4:
Follow all the pre-suit standards of the state. Many states require sworn statements from medical experts. That defines the normal standards of care for a malpractice case. These standards and requirements must meet before you can even begin filing.
Pre-suit requirements inspire pre-trial settlements and dissuade superficial malpractice cases from going to trial. This helps to reduce the number of malpractice suits resulting in a more efficient litigation system.
If you fail to file any pre-suit requirements in Oklahoma, your malpractice case may get dismissed. Therefore be sure to find a good Oklahoma medical malpractice lawyer. Let them can guide you in fulfilling all the requirements outlined by the Oklahoma court system for malpractice suits.
Step 5:
File a complaint. Your complaint will outline your reasons for filing and list the defending hospital and/or doctors who you have accused of medical negligence. It is the final step in the filing process and the beginning of the actual malpractice lawsuit.
As with all the other Filing a Medical Malpractice Suit steps, there may be a complication in registering a complaint. Which is why you want to get the service a professional attorney specialized in such cases. Failure to do so may lead to either dismissal, unfair settlement, or reduced compensation.
Oklahoma Medical-Malpractice Laws
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of medical negligence while residing in Oklahoma, you need to file a malpractice case. You will get compensation under the state’s malpractice law.
Before you begin the filing process, you should know of several key requirements needed by the Oklahoma court system. These include the state’s statute of limitations and the distribution of compensation.
Oklahoma Statute of Limitations for Malpractice Lawsuits
If you have been injured by medical malpractice in Oklahoma you have two years from the time of injury to file your claim. If, however, the date of actual injury cannot be determined then it the time period begins when you first felt there was a problem.
Damage Limits
The normal cap for malpractice cases in Oklahoma is $350,000. However, if the judge feels that the defendant was negligent, fraudulent, reckless, or acted out in malice, the damages can be much higher.
Medical Affidavit
In the state of Oklahoma, you must attach an affidavit to your complaint when you file. The affidavit must state that a medical expert has looked over your case. And believes that your healthcare provider acted out in negligence and caused your injury.
While the above requirement represents all the standards that must meet under Oklahoma malpractice law, they do give you a brief outline of what you must do when filing a malpractice lawsuit within the state.
If you would like to learn more about filing a malpractice claim in Oklahoma and know How to File a Medical Malpractice Suit? , please contact the law offices of Clark & Associates, situated in Oklahoma City.