Ask a Medical Malpractice Attorney: What Are the Odds of Success in a Case?

Medical malpractice is a leading cause of death in the US, and it results in millions of accidents every year. If you’ve been affected, you can reach out to malpractice lawyers in Baltimore, MD and ask them to negotiate with the medical practitioner’s insurance company. The better your lawyer, the more evidence they will find, which strengthens your case and increases your odds of success.

Ask Baltimore, MD Medical Malpractice Lawyers: What Are the Odds of Success in a Case?

Even if you’ve been injured due to a medical professional’s negligence, the doctor is more likely to win the lawsuit than you. In fact, almost 80% of cases are won by the physicians, and even patients who have a lot of evidence don’t always get the compensation they deserve.

But just because there are no guarantees doesn’t mean you can’t contact an attorney and initiate a lawsuit. Your odds of success increase if you can prove that the medical professional breached their duty of care and that you have long-lasting issues and expenses as a result. You’re also more likely to win your case if you work with a highly skilled medical malpractice attorney.

The Nature of the Situation 

People who develop a temporary injury or a very mild condition after treatment are much less likely to get compensation than those who have a serious or lifelong problem, such as brain damage or disfigurement. The most successful cases are usually those that involve gross negligence which has led to a serious injury.

After your treatment, it’s best to wait for a few weeks or months before contacting a lawyer. That way, the true extent of your injuries can be determined, and your doctors can tell you what adjustments you need to make to your life. If you can no longer work like before or you need ongoing care, it’s likely that you can get compensation.

The Strength of the Evidence

You can’t file a lawsuit simply because you’ve been injured during treatment. To get a settlement offer, you’ll first need to prove that the medical professional in question had a duty of care, that they breached this duty, and that you were injured as a result. This can be hard, especially if you already had a medical condition before the incident.

In addition to medical bills and treatment records, you might also need to provide eyewitnesses, such as nurses and other doctors, and expert witnesses from the medical field. These people can evaluate whether the doctor in question acted negligently. You’ll also need a statement from your current physician about your condition and how it will affect the rest of your life.

The Skill of the Lawyer

It’s highly unlikely that you will be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit on your own, so you have to hire a competent and experienced lawyer, who can negotiate on your behalf. Choose an attorney who has plenty of experience in your local area, since malpractice cases are governed by local as well as federal laws.

The best way to find a skilled lawyer is to look at the websites of local law firms online. You should find biographies, information about past cases, and even client testimonials, which can help you decide whether the attorney is a good fit. Once you’ve found someone, you can call or message them and book a consultation. Check out this site to get started.

Is It Medical Malpractice or Just a Bad Outcome? 

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell whether a medical professional acted irresponsibly or whether an injury is simply a bad outcome that couldn’t have been prevented. As long as standard protocols have been followed, the doctor can’t be prosecuted, even if the patient sustained severe injuries or died during treatment. When you first contact your lawyer, they will carefully analyze every aspect of your situation to determine whether you have a good case.

Should I Take My Case to Court? 

The vast majority of malpractice lawsuits settle before they go to court. Getting a settlement is usually the best way because it’s quicker and more efficient, and you’re guaranteed a payout once the defendant’s insurance company has made you an offer. However, you might get much more if you take the medical professional to court.

The average payout for a medical malpractice case is between $300,000 and $400,000, but if you go to court and win, you could get millions, especially if you have a long-term condition or someone died as a result of negligent behavior. Your lawyer can help you determine whether you should settle or not.

The odds of winning a medical malpractice case are low, especially if you don’t have a lot of evidence or it isn’t clear that the medical practitioner acted in a negligent manner. To increase your chances of success, reach out to medical malpractice lawyers in Baltimore, MD. They can determine whether filing a lawsuit makes sense and, if so, help you compile the necessary evidence.