The Important Role That An Expert Witness Plays In A Medical Malpractice Case
Medical errors are a common occurrence at hospitals and clinics. Some errors are simple mistakes. However, if you're injured as a result of a medical error, you will need to prove that your injuries were the result of negligence. This can be very difficult unless you are working with a personal injury lawyer and an expert witness.
The Standard of Care
An accident is considered to be malpractice if the accident could have been prevented if the doctor had simply followed the standard of care. For example, your doctor might fail to diagnose you for a condition that a reasonable doctor would have diagnosed you with. As a result of the failure to diagnose, you might not receive the medical treatment you need.
If your doctor diagnoses you with the wrong condition, they might prescribe a medication that has serious side effects. You might be injured as a result of these side effects. The mistake may be detrimental to your health and can cause pain and suffering. As a result, you have every right to seek compensation for your injuries.
The Importance of Expert Witnesses
An expert witness will probably play a major role in your medical malpractice case. This is because the expert witness will assist your personal injury attorney in proving that your doctor didn't follow the standard of care.
The medical profession is very difficult for a layman to understand. An expert witness will review your medical records and will help you and your personal injury lawyer understand the medical records and also understand what a reasonable medical practitioner would have done.
Settlements and Going to Court
Your personal injury lawyer will encourage you to settle your case out of court under most circumstances. Reaching a settlement is less expensive and does not take as much time. However, if the other party refuses to agree to a settlement, you might then decide to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
If your case will go to trial, your personal injury lawyer will likely call upon an expert witness to testify on your behalf. The expert witness will explain specialized knowledge. For example, the expert witness will explain why the medication that caused your injuries should not have been prescribed.
Compensation for Your Injuries
After your personal injury lawyer is able to prove that the doctor is negligent, you will be entitled to compensation for medical expenses resulting from the medical error, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
For more information, contact a personal injury lawyer near you.