Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

The Basics: Timeline of a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

The length of time for any case will generally depend on the complexity of the case. Generally, medical malpractice claims can be more complicated. Therefore, the timeline for a medical malpractice lawsuit is a little different from the typical personal injury lawsuit.

Incident and subsequent investigation.

Generally, as in any personal injury case, there will be an incident that causes injury. But, medical malpractice injuries may be tougher to spot. While some claims, like failure to obtain informed consent, might be easy to identify, errors in diagnosis, treatments, or surgery could take longer to surface.

First steps to take when you discover your injury.

While not an exhaustive list, here are some of the first steps to take when you discover your injury.

• Contact the medical professional involved—your goal is to get an understanding of what may have gone wrong and allow your doctor to determine whether it is something that can be remedied.
• Contact the relevant medical licensing board—licensing boards can issue warnings or discipline to the practitioner.
• Know how long you have to file a claim—in Arizona, you have a two-year time limit to file a claim for medical malpractice.
• If you decide to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, make sure you gather all of the relevant documents and records relating to your medical care.

If you or a loved one was a victim of medical malpractice, it is important to consult with an attorney immediately to discuss your case and help determine your best options. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael Cordova are experienced in medical malpractice claims and can help discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case.