How involved will I have to be in the evaluation, filing, and litigation of a medical malpractice claim?
A patient or surviving relative has an important role to play in these matters. One is to provide accurate information to the lawyer evaluating and, eventually, prosecuting the claim for medical malpractice. Another is to finally decide, after full consultation with the attorney, whether or not to proceed with the making of a claim. Once the official claim process has started, there will be some required depositions or statements to be given to the opposition attorney. In each instance you will be prepared and represented by your attorney. There will also be a need to answer, with the assistancet of your attorney, written questions or requests for documents. In Florida, and some other states, there will likely be a mediation conference intended to explore settlement possibilities. Your full participation in the conference is required. Eventually, should the claim result in a jury trial, it would be necessary for you to attend and probably testify.
A patient or surviving relative has an important role to play in these matters. One is to provide accurate information to the lawyer evaluating and, eventually, prosecuting the claim for medical malpractice. Another is to finally decide, after full consultation with the attorney, whether or not to proceed with the making of a claim. Once the official claim process has started, there will be some required depositions or statements to be given to the opposition attorney. In each instance you will be prepared and represented by your attorney. There will also be a need to answer, with the assistance of your attorney, written questions or requests for documents. In Florida, and some other states, there will likely be a mediation conference intended to explore settlement possibilities. Your full participation in the conference is required. Eventually, should the claim result in a jury trial, it would be necessary for you to attend and probably testify.
