Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or health care staff member causes a patient harm due to failing to uphold the established standard of care in the medical field. People who believe they are medical malpractice victims in New York may want to hire an attorney at their first opportunity to help them seek compensation for their injuries. Here are a few reasons why hiring a medical malpractice attorney makes sense.
Legal expertise
An attorney with medical malpractice experience understands all the standards, laws and rules that guide medical care. He or she can tell when doctors or nurses have gone against established care standards, which can help an injured patient build a robust legal case. The attorney can help a client gather the evidence needed (e.g., medical records) to make the necessary arguments to prove negligence.
Medical expert access
Most medical malpractice attorneys have networks of health care experts to call on to help a patient with his or her malpractice case. Experts ranging from nurses to doctors can examine the case from multiple angles to see if the patient’s physician was negligent. These parties can also testify in court to help the jury and judge understand complex medical ideas and potentially prove that medical negligence caused the patient’s pain or injuries.
Ability to maximize compensation
A medical malpractice attorney in New York may further help an injured patient determine the amount of money he or she lost due to a doctor’s negligence. The attorney can then strive to help the individual get as much compensation as possible through insurance company negotiations or a medical malpractice lawsuit. The attorney’s chief goal will be to help his or her client receive just compensation for his or her losses and injuries.