Fort Myers Hospital Negligence Attorney
Patients who come to hospitals are in extremely frail condition, usually both physically and emotionally. As a result, patients depend entirely on doctors and other hospital staffers for all their health and safety needs. Since the responsibility is so high, the legal duty of care is high as well. As the old saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility.
Hospital employees could breach their duty of care before, during, or after a medical procedure. Medical professionals must bring all their training and experience to bear when they evaluate patients, diagnose illnesses, and recommend treatment. A breakdown in any area is usually negligence. The same thing applies when a patient is in the operating room or other treatment room. These responsibilities don’t end when the patient goes to a recovery area.
Hospital employees all too frequently drop the ball. In contrast, a diligent Fort Myers hospital negligence attorney at Kohn Law will pay close attention to the details from start to finish. As we review your case, we don’t take shortcuts and leave no stone unturned. Then, once we develop a plan of action, we work that plan until we obtain maximum compensation for your serious injuries.
What to Look For in an Attorney
Hospitals and medical malpractice insurance companies have small armies of legal professionals who do whatever it takes to reduce or deny compensation to victims, regardless of how much they need and deserve it. A victim’s attorney must have a similar commitment to a client. However, commitment alone isn’t enough, especially when the foe is so tough. Some additional necessary qualities include:
- Dedication: Personal injury claims are about more than financial compensation. Basically, attorneys file these claims to protect the individual right to health and safety against a large company’s relentless desire for higher profit. Attorneys who lack that dedication often fall short.
- Accessibility: Medical mistakes usually cause serious injuries, like organ damage and head injuries. It’s very difficult for these victims to get around physically, especially on a bad day. So, your lawyer should have a nearby office location that’s easily accessible for people with mobility impairments.
- Experience: Many personal injury attorneys practice law for many years and hardly ever take cases to trial. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as out-of-court settlements usually benefit victim/plaintiffs. However, lawyers with scant trial experience often look for quick resolutions and the easy way out.
It takes time to make the right choice in this area. But, don’t take too long. The sooner an attorney starts working for you, the better the final result usually is.
What to Expect in a Negligence Case
A few injury claims settle almost immediately, especially if all issues in the case are crystal clear. However, there are usually some questions in some areas. Therefore, most Fort Myers hospital negligence attorneys file legal paperwork.
Initially, insurance companies usually file procedural motions, trying to torpedo the victim/plaintiff’s claim. As long as lawyers have done their homework and built solid foundations, these motions normally fail.
The discovery period usually comes next. Most victim/plaintiffs must give their depositions and submit to additional medical examinations. The insurance company must turn over all relevant evidence in its possession. So, by the end of this period, the victim’s case is usually stronger and the insurance company’s case is usually weaker.
This imbalance sets the stage for a favorable result at mediation. During mediation, which is basically a court-supervised settlement negotiation session, both sides have a legal duty to negotiate in good faith. As a result, most cases settle at mediation, especially since the trial date, which everyone wants to avoid, is looming.
Reach Out to a Dedicated Lee County Lawyer
Injury victims are usually entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Fort Myers hospital negligence attorney, contact Kohn Law. You have a limited amount of time to act.
