The True Costs of Medical Malpractice Cases
Nothing is more important than your health and happiness. However, both of these things are reliant on the skill and care of others. We depend on physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to take care of us when we are sick or heart.
Unfortunately, sometimes healthcare professionals aren’t as skilled or don’t act with as much care as they need to. In such instances, you or a loved one could end up suffering injury, disability, or other adverse reactions to improper treatment.
The best way to get the help you need in times like these is to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. This will allow you to receive proper compensation to help you pay for any medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering you may have experienced.
If you’re worried about not being able to afford a medical malpractice suit, keep reading. The medical malpractice lawyers at Selingo Guagliardo are here to help. Below, we’ve put together a helpful guide so you can understand the true costs of medical malpractice cases.
What Are the True Costs of Medical Malpractice Cases?
If you decide to represent yourself in court, you will need to pay the costs of medical malpractice cases upfront. First, you should be aware that it can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 to file a lawsuit in court.
You will also likely need to cover the costs of copying all medical records relevant to your case. The fees associated with expert witnesses can also end up in the tens of thousands of dollars.
However, if a lawyer represents you, the attorney’s office will cover your initial costs. If the case succeeds in court, the lawyer will take the costs out of your out-of-court settlement or court award.
Why You Should Pursue a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
If you have undergone a significant injury due to medical malpractice, it will benefit you to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. A settlement out of court or a court award could grant you:
Compensatory damages
Punitive damages
Compensatory damages involve medical expenditures, living expenses, and lost earning potential. They also include pain and suffering, loss of life’s pleasures and disfigurement. You can be awarded punitive damages only if the physician or healthcare professional is found guilty of reckless or outrageous wrongdoing.
The Average Cost of a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
On average, the costs of preparing and conducting a medical malpractice lawsuit are anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000. More complicated cases can cost more than $50,000 up to as much as $100,000. The costs will cover:
Expert medical witness testimony
Obtaining medical records and detailed information
The technology used to explain negligence and injury in a case
Court fees
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice
What percentage of malpractice cases settle?
The vast majority of medical malpractice cases settle out of court. One study found that 93 percent of malpractice cases are settled before going to trial.
What is the average payout for medical negligence?
In 2018, the average payout for a medical malpractice case was $348,065, according to the Expert Institute. Defendants paid a total of $4,031,987,700 to plaintiffs that year, which was a 2.91 percent increase from 2017.
What are the odds of winning a medical malpractice suit?
Research shows that cases with weak evidence win only 10 percent to 20 percent on behalf of the plaintiff. When it comes to toss-up cases, the plaintiff wins 30 percent of the time. When you present strong evidence of medical negligence, the plaintiff wins 50 percent of the time.
How Selingo Guagliardo Can Help
If you believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice, you don’t have to go through it alone. The experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Selingo Guagliardo can provide you with the support and guidance necessary to help you in your time of need.
Contact Selingo Guagliardo now. We can help you get the compensation you deserve.