When a patient accuses a hospital or doctor of a medical error, hospitals may take various steps to address the dispute. Understanding why some Lansing medical malpractice claims are contested and others are not is an important initial step for someone seeking a fair financial recovery for an injury with support from an experienced Lansing personal injury attorney.
Factors That Could Lead to a Contested Claim
When a medical error leads to an injury that does not clearly produce symptoms or appear on diagnostic tests, hospitals may dispute liability. Medical error claims can carry significant financial consequences for hospitals and insurers, which may lead them to closely scrutinize the circumstances surrounding a patient’s injuries and dispute allegations they believe are unsupported.
In other situations, the medical team may deny performing a procedure below the accepted standard of care. When a doctor ardently denies wrongdoing, hospitals may believe they have grounds for disputing liability. Some physicians may strongly contest allegations of medical malpractice, especially given that one in three physicians faces a malpractice claim during their careers.
Disputes regarding pre-existing conditions can further complicate these cases, or a hospital may strongly contest a claim involving alleged significant harm.
Claims involving permanent disabilities, extensive lifelong care, or other serious consequences may also face stronger opposition because more is at stake for everyone involved. Disagreements over the severity and cause of a patient’s injuries can make these cases particularly contentious.
When a Contested Claim Could Require Court Action
A contested medical malpractice claim could eventually require court action in the 30th Judicial Circuit Court of Ingham County when the parties cannot resolve fundamental disagreements about what happened. Disputes may center on whether a medical provider committed an error, whether the care fell below accepted professional standards, or whether the provider’s actions caused the patient’s injuries.
Serious cases can involve competing accounts of the same treatment and sharply different views about the patient’s resulting harm. An experienced Lansing medical malpractice attorney can assess the circumstances surrounding the disputed care and determine an appropriate strategy for pursuing the patient’s goals, which can include investing in medical experts.
Why You Should Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney
With 1,993 physicians and 563 nurse practitioners working in Lansing, patients have many options when choosing a healthcare provider. Unfortunately, doctors and nurses can fail to provide the accepted standard of care. When you hire a medical malpractice attorney, you gain steadfast support from an advocate who can manage your medical malpractice case with the attention and focus that it deserves.
A Lansing medical malpractice attorney can address disputes by focusing on the evidence and the documented harm that you suffered due to a medical error.
If You Have Been Injured Due to a Medical Error, Contact Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC Today
Attempting to seek financial relief from a negligent healthcare worker or a hospital could lead to frustration, delays, and other setbacks. When you partner with Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, you gain support from a team of advocates who bring 40-plus years of experience to these matters.
We help our clients obtain an optimal result in their medical malpractice cases through focused negotiations and strategic litigation. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation with our dedicated team of injury attorneys.
