There are many costs to losing a medical malpractice claim. You and your family go without the compensation you need, even though you have suffered from a medical professional's negligence. It also entails that you will not be able to recover your legal expenses, after a long, potentially stressful process. This further could mean that you are left with the winning party's bill. This is what happened to a family who lost their medical malpractice case against a hospital this month.
In 2008, a baby boy in her womb when he had his oxygen cut off during delivery. The father and mother were told that their son did not take a breath or have his heart beat for a full thirteen minutes before being resuscitated. The family's suit claimed that the doctor and nurses did not respond in time, saying that they were slow to do anything about the warnings that their son was going without oxygen. The problems that arose during delivery left the boy with brain damage that will last his whole life. He is severely disabled and requires care around the clock. The family was seeking millions in compensation to help with the costs of raising their child.
Their trial took four weeks, and the jury decided against the family. The hospital wanted to get its legal fees back, and a judge ordered that the family pay $340,000. This bill includes picking up the tab for coffee, frozen yogurt, ice cream, and room service for the witnesses and defendants. The family will also have to cover car and airline costs. They were also ordered to pay for what the defense had racked up at restaurants and bars. At one point, they were even looking at a $250 charge for a nurse who was fined for smoking inside the hotel. This expense was deleted after the family fought against this item.
The family was already faced with crushing medical expenses, and they had struggled to make ends meet. Now they are left with towering court fees on top of it all. In response to this astronomical bill, the family has stated that they will probably file for bankruptcy.
Talking to reporters, the mother said she was bewildered that a jury would decide against a disabled boy. She had also thought that they had such overwhelming evidence on their side that the hospital would not even want a trial. She added that she would not keep anyone from pursuing a medical claim. She herself absolutely does not regret trying to help her son. She would just warn someone about the dire consequences of losing a claim.
According to CBSNews.com, it is very common for people to lose their medical malpractice suits. One study found that a mere third of all U.S. medical malpractice lawsuits achieved compensation, and only half of medical claims in the U.K. led to a settlement. There is so much on the line, perhaps everything, when someone pursues a medical malpractice claim, and the odds are against success. Before pursuing a claim, you will want a legal professional to assess how strong your case is.
If you desperately need help to meet exorbitant medical costs to care for your family after medical malpractice, then you need the best lawyer possible. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one due to malpractice, then you also need a powerhouse advocate. To have a winning lawsuit, it will take the expertise and experience of a medical malpractice lawyer. You will need to find an attorney who has skill and uncompromising dedication to his or her clients. You also need to know that these lawsuits can expire. Find a phenomenal lawyer today.