Michigan Medical Malpractice Attorneys
You put your faith in the doctors and other medical professionals who care for you and your family. Often, you literally put your life in their hands. When your physicians and other medical providers don’t live up to that trust, the results can be devastating in many ways: medically, financially, and emotionally / psychologically.
Your medical condition may be worsened, or you may have new medical issues to contend with. At the same time, you may have difficulty trusting and relying upon the doctors and others who provide the care you need to address these new or aggravated medical problems.
When a doctor, hospital, or other medical provider has harmed you through negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. However, pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Michigan is extremely complicated. Therefore, it is in your best interest to retain an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.
Types of Medical Malpractice
Any negligence on the part of a medical provider can give rise to a medical malpractice claim, if that negligence causes harm. Some of the most common types of medical malpractice include:
- Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis
- Administering the wrong medication or the wrong dose
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Negligent use of a medical device
Pursuing a Medical Malpractice Claim in Michigan
Pursuing fair compensation for damages sustained as the result of medical malpractice is more complicated than many other types of civil lawsuits. The Michigan legislature has created a series of hurdles for patients injured by medical professionals.
For example, the plaintiff in a personal injury case, such as a car accident case, can simply file a lawsuit against the responsible party. However, the plaintiff in a medical malpractice case must serve notice (NOI) on the defendant or defendants at least 182 days in advance of filing, and must allow the defendants access to all relevant medical records in that period before the case is filed. Then, the complaint must be filed with an “affidavit of merit,” which is a sworn statement from a licensed physician who is likely to qualify as an expert witness.
These hurdles make it difficult or impossible for an injured party without a legal background and without significant resources to effectively pursue a claim.
The Deadline for Filing a Michigan Medical Malpractice Claim
The statute of limitations in a medical malpractice case can be confusing. The general statute of limitations is two years, but the filing of an NOI stops the clock temporarily. In addition, injured patients who did not discover their injuries immediately may have additional time in which to file their claims. In short, determining deadlines in a medical malpractice case is often difficult.
Damages in a Medical Malpractice Case
Of course, the damages awarded in every case differ. However, some of the most common types of damages awarded in a medical malpractice case include:
- Increased medical expenses as a result of the negligence
- Pain and suffering caused by the negligence
- Cost of counseling or therapy
- Lost income and/or lost earning potential
- Diminishment of quality of life
- Cost of assistance or equipment necessitated by the injury
To learn more about the specific damages that may be available in your case, talk to an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys Can Help
The experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Smith Bovill are committed to ensuring that procedural obstacles and expert witness requirements don’t stand between you and the compensation you deserve.
We are here to navigate the complex procedural requirements associated with a medical malpractice claim, including identifying and retaining an expert witness to review your case and provide the required affidavit of merit.
You can take the first step right now. Just fill out the contact form on this website or call us right now to schedule a free consultation. Dial (989) 792-9641 for our Saginaw office, or (989) 652-9923 in Frankenmuth.