As a trial lawyer for 26 years and a partner at a law firm with a century of combined experience in a catastrophic accident and medical malpractice claims, I have litigated and studied circumstances everyone hopes to avoid. As every case is unique in its own way, each has taught me new lessons in both life and the practice of law.
Here are just a couple of the lessons I have learned:
Litigating a Case Through Trial Is a Team Effort
Getting a case from infancy to a successful conclusion is a team effort. Wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims are incredibly complex and expensive to handle. Nothing happens overnight, and the results are by no means simple to obtain. The solution is never straightforward, and there are always a variety of issues to explore.
These cases require patience and teamwork. We strive to guide clients every step of the way as we aim to make this process as stress-free as possible. Our clients are an integral part of this team, and without them, we cannot move forward. Due to that, we must ensure our clients have a thorough understanding of the process. This is essential to achieve the justice each client deserves.
Communication Is Critical
The vast majority of medical malpractice claims are the result of communication errors. A health care provider’s failure to communicate a patient’s problems timely and accurately to the right specialists often leads to catastrophic results. In this scenario, everyone loses. The patients lose the opportunity to receive proper treatment, and the specialists miss the opportunity to appropriately and timely intervene—all because of the failure to communicate.
Many of our clients were alone and without an advocate when they were the victims of medical malpractice. If a loved one needs to be hospitalized for any reason, always have someone with them whenever possible. Be there to advocate on their behalf. Changes often go unrecognized, and call bells go unanswered. Be there to sound the alarms, and don’t be afraid to speak up and demand the care that your loved ones deserve.
Similarly, it is vital that the attorneys you choose to provide you with the facts and knowledge you need to be successful in a case. Ask questions and communicate with your attorney so you can have a thorough understanding of what your case entails. Never be afraid to inquire if you don’t understand. Remember, we are working for you.
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