Louisiana hospitals are not immune to incidents where patients may suffer injury or illness due to medical errors. Hospital negligence is a serious issue that can wreak devastation and havoc in the lives of those adversely affected by it. In worst cases, many families have suffered the untimely deaths of loved ones when doctors or nurses have failed to adhere to accepted standards of practice and safety protocols.
In the aftermath of a hospital negligence situation, an injured victim may experience feelings of anger and frustration. Depending upon the circumstances and severity of an injury, the patient may desire that justice be sought against those deemed responsible for the incident. Typically, a statute of limitations applies regarding the time period between an injury’s occurrence and when a claim is filed in court; therefore, it is advisable to seek legal guidance as soon as one is able after a specific incident.
Some suggest that one of the first logical steps to take is to discuss the situation with the medical professional under whose care the incident occurred. Many times, a physician will offer to resolve a problem outside of court. If it becomes clear that litigation may be necessary to settle an issue, an attorney can enlist the help of various experts whose testimonies can then be used to substantiate a claim.
It is also sometimes possible to settle a Louisiana hospital negligence claim out of court. Whether this is the best course of action to take in a particular circumstance is something that can be discussed with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Anyone considering filing a claim who is in need of legal advice can contact a medical malpractice attorney in the area to request a meeting.
Source: injury.findlaw.com, “First Steps in a Medical Malpractice Case“, Accessed on May 3, 2016
