When you are prescribed a new medication or go in for a surgical procedure, you should be able to do so with confidence. After all, these medical care providers in charge of your treatment are experienced and licensed professionals. However, when these doctors, surgeons, and nurses act carelessly or negligently, they can make mistakes. Some of which may have dangerous consequences.
If you have experienced medical negligence, you should discuss your situation with a personal injury attorney. Medical errors can have lasting consequences, some of which could take years to discover. If you are ready to take on the careless doctor or nurse responsible for your injuries, a Marlborough medical malpractice lawyer could help. En Español.
What is a Certification of Reasonable Inquiry?
The process for filing a medical malpractice case can be more complex than a traditional civil claim for damages. Before filing one of these lawsuits, an injured patient and their attorney must prepare and file a certification of “reasonable inquiry.” According to Connecticut General Statute §52-190a, this certificate must state that the plaintiff performed a reasonable inquiry and has cause to believe there are grounds for a good faith malpractice claim.
The certificate requires more than the plaintiff’s promise that they carefully investigated the claim. The statute also requires this certification to include a signed, written opinion from a qualified medical expert. This written statement must assert that the medical professional injured the patient due to negligence and provide a medical justification for their opinion.
The plaintiff must file this certificate with the initial pleadings unless the court agrees to a 90-day extension. The courts strictly enforce this requirement and may dismiss a claim entirely if it fails to comply. A lawyer in Marlborough could help an injured patient acquire a certification of reasonable inquiry for their medical malpractice case.
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Compensation in a Marlborough Medical Malpractice Case
The damages in a medical malpractice case can be more complex than other injury claims. In many accident claims, the injured person was in good health before their injury occurred. This is sometimes not the case in medical negligence claims.
Marlborough medical malpractice attorneys should be aware of two different sets of potential injuries. The first involves any injuries or illnesses caused by the act of negligence itself. The second stem from the underlying injury or illness that was to be treated when the malpractice occurred. A medical error could not only cause new issues that require treatment, but also could make the underlying problem worse.
In addition to the extensive medical bills that may follow medical negligence, these losses could keep a person out of work for an extended period of time. An injured party may be eligible to recover compensation for their lost income as well as other financial and emotional losses.
Speak with a Marlborough Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you are dealing with the effects of a medical error, you have legal options available to you. Whether you were injured during surgery or had an illness misdiagnosed, the potential recovery from a medical malpractice claim could be substantial.
Taking on a doctor or hospital can be challenging, given the resources they have at their disposal. You could even the playing field by retaining a Marlborough medical malpractice lawyer. Call today to get started on your case.
