What to Look for in Medical Lawyers in Your Area

Picking a good medical lawyer is a delicate process you should handle with care. The medical establishment in most areas will have the financial resources to step into the courtroom without hesitation, but you may not be so fortunate.

The trick is to find a medical lawyer in your area who you can trust. For example, in Northeast Pennsylvania, you would be hard-pressed to find a medical lawyer with the compassion, expertise, and experience of Selingo Guagliardo. But what should you do if you live somewhere else? How do you know if a law firm is prepared to take on your case?

The best way to answer these questions is to ask. Call up the law firms in your area and pose them with questions that are important to you and your case. In this guide, we will pose four questions to which you should know the answers after hanging up with any prospective medical lawyer. Check out these questions, so you know what to look for in a medical lawyer in your area.

How Well Do They Know Local Hospitals?

When laying out the details of your case, ensure the lawyer you are speaking with has some knowledge of the medical facility you visited. Consider it a massive red flag if the lawyer has no idea what you are talking about or seems insincere. All medical lawyers should have at least some knowledge about the hospitals and medical facilities in their area of service.

It is possible that the lawyer or one of their associates has previously dealt with a specific hospital. If this previous bid in the courtroom was successful, they might also have some insight into what needs to be done in your case. As a general rule, prioritize well-connected medical lawyers who bring a wealth of information to the table.

Do They Show Compassion?

If you are seeking out a medical lawyer, there is a good chance that you have recently been the victim of medical malpractice lawyers. This is always a tough situation, and you will need a strong support system behind you to help soften the damage. The lawyer you choose should approach the problem with the same compassion as a family or friend would.

Rather than speaking only about the heavy legal jargon of your case, make sure the person on the other end has a sense of empathy for what you have gone through. Not every lawyer needs to be defined by their ability to “fight” for you. Sometimes a medical lawyer must bring the human element with them as they craft a case.

What Is Their Expertise?

Some law firms are willing to take on medical malpractice cases even if that is not their clear expertise. This can work in some cases, but you may want to test a lawyer’s knowledge of medical malpractice before turning to them, even if they are someone you have worked with at some previous point.

Medical lawyers are distinct in the law world because their focus is on a certain type of case. Explore the options of medical lawyers in your area before jumping into a more convenient arrangement with someone who is just trying to collect any check they can. Medical lawyers, naturally, have more experience in medical malpractice cases, generally making them more qualified. And speaking of experience…

Are They Experienced?

There is nothing wrong with finding a young, enthusiastic lawyer to take on your medical malpractice case, but wouldn’t it be nice to find an equally enthusiastic lawyer with decades of experience? If you can find that person in your area, don’t pass up the opportunity to have them on your side. Having an experienced attorney with a track record of success on your side is genuinely invaluable for local cases.

The lawyers at Selingo Guagliardo bring years of experience to the table, offering a unique perspective on personal injury cases. Use this standard as the benchmark as you scour your local law firm options for a team that can provide you with the service you deserve.

Give Selingo Guagliardo’s Medical Lawyers a Call Today

Selingo Guagliardo brings the knowledge, compassion, and experience you should expect from a medical lawyer in your area. If you live in Northeast Pennsylvania and need a medical lawyer, look no further than Selingo Guagliardo. Give us a call today! 

Delayed Diagnosis: What to Do, Step by Step

When a case of medical malpractice occurs, a patient could be facing severe damages both physically and financially. One of the worst medical malpractice cases that can come about is delayed diagnosis.

In a delayed diagnosis case, a doctor fails to share critical health information with a patient intentionally or accidentally. This brand of medical malpractice also includes a misdiagnosis or a completely missed diagnosis. Such malpractice can result in massive damages, including delayed treatment or wrongful death.

If you or a loved one suffered from a delayed diagnosis, action must be taken. Being compensated for the damage that has been caused before the consequences become fatal is critical, so make sure you have a firm plan in place before diving into legal action.

Read on for a step-by-step process on navigating the delayed diagnosis process and what comes after.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Delayed Diagnosis

Before you step into a courtroom to argue that the diagnosis of your illness has been delayed, you will need to form a strong plan and a coherent story to back it up. The following is a five-step process that you should follow to increase your chances of getting what is owed to you.

1. Recognize your illness. If you believe you have been the victim of a delayed diagnosis, the first obvious step you will want to take is to determine that you are feeling ill. If your diagnosis has been delayed but you feel completely normal, you can probably work something out between you and your doctor. But if you noticeably feel ill or have suffered because of a delayed diagnosis, the process should continue.

2. Get a second opinion. As is good practice in many other medical situations, it would be helpful to seek out another medical professional to put into writing what you may be suffering from. Getting a doctor's endorsement, who can attest to some present issue, can legitimize your case. If all you have to go on through this process is your word, the case may be seen as far more flimsy.

3. Obtain your medical records. This may be the most crucial step. Get the written proof and a clear timeline that a delayed diagnosis has taken place and get a hold of your medical records. You are entitled to your medical information, so getting the necessary materials should be relatively straightforward. Your records can reveal when symptoms began and at what point a diagnosis should have been solidified.

4. Define the damages. After determining what has been ailing you, consider the actual damages your illness has caused in your life. Determining what actual damages, physical or otherwise, have been caused due to the delayed diagnosis should be identified. You know better than anyone what you have gone through.

5. Hire a legal expert. Before diving into the legal process, the final step is to contact a medical malpractice attorney that you can trust to get the job done. The medical establishment is well connected, so you will need to do everything you can to gain an advantage. Selingo Guagliardo provides expert consultation and unmatched professionalism to help you navigate this difficult situation.

Selingo Guagliardo Can Help

If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of a delayed diagnosis, make haste in getting compensated for the damages that have been caused. The consequences of flippant medical care can be extreme, and medical professionals need to be held accountable when their mistakes are costly.

The medical malpractice lawyers at Selingo Guagliardo can provide the service you need to win your delayed diagnosis lawsuit.

Even though the situation may seem dire depending on your condition, you should still make every effort to ease the financial burden of a delayed diagnosis by getting in touch with a knowledgeable attorney.

Allow Selingo Guagliardo to help you go forward by giving us a call.

What Can You Do About Emergency Room Malpractice?

Going to the emergency room is rarely a comfortable experience for the patient, and things are made even worse when something goes wrong. Medical professionals are human, and they make mistakes from time to time, but malpractice takes things to another level.

If you feel you or a loved one have been the victim of unprofessional treatment in an emergency room, you may want to pursue legal action. Hospitals often guarantee a certain level of care and professionalism, so they must be held accountable if they fail to meet their standards. The medical and monetary stakes are too high to withstand emergency room malpractice.

Selingo Guagliardo can be your supportive guide through the legal process following emergency room malpractice.

These cases often devolve into a highly stressful process for the victim. We can be the steady hand you need to help you through the complications and provide an empathetic angle amid the tension. Read on to see how we can help.

What Is Emergency Room Malpractice?

Emergency room malpractice goes beyond a medical mistake, which would be challenging to deal with in its own right. When malpractice occurs in an emergency room, it is often due to a lack of concentration, professionalism, knowledge, or a combination of different factors. It is unacceptable for medical providers to be flippant in their care, especially in an emergency room.

In an emergency room setting, the stakes are often a matter of life and death. The losses or damages resulting from medical malpractice in this context can be massive. If you or a loved one did not receive the proper treatment in an emergency room, the consequences were likely extreme.

How to Address Emergency Room Malpractice

If you are preparing to correct emergency room malpractice, you need to be ready. Hospitals and doctors will fight hard, and they have the resources to do so.

Because of these factors, you must come to your lawsuit with an organized approach that is honest and convincing. The following is a list of three ways to get off to a good start and give yourself an advantage in the legal proceedings to come.

1. Do not wait. If you know that emergency room malpractice has occurred, do not allow the clock to run. The longer you wait to make your case, the more challenging it will be to make a convincing case. If you are confident that something has gone wrong, show the confidence in your case that will be necessary down the road. Persuading others will surely be tough if even the victim is hesitant to pull the legal lever.

2. Get your story straight. If the account you share of an alleged emergency room malpractice case is inconsistent or confused, the impression you give will be that of an untrustworthy narrator. Work with your team to iron out the details of what happened in the emergency room and make sure your story is told in a concise, straightforward manner. If you are hazy on some parts of the story, consult someone who is sure of the essential details.

3. Hire the right people. Most hospitals are prepared to fight emergency room malpractice cases with a legal strategy that is financially robust. For that reason alone, you must find a team that can advise you competently and is able to interpret your situation in a courtroom setting. When taking on a powerful operation, you need to form a strategy that can withstand a slew of attacks. Finding medical malpractice lawyers who care and know their work inside and out is an absolute essential.

Get Selingo Guagliardo On the Case

If you are seeking out the very best team to take on an emergency room malpractice case, look no further than Selingo Guagliardo. We will be there to support you as we work to win your case and deliver the compensation you deserve.

No one should have to deal with medical malpractice of any kind, but it is especially objectionable in an emergency room. Give Selingo Guagliardo a call today, and we will help you go forward on the road to recovery.

How To Claim Lost Wages From a Car Accident In PA

There are a lot of ways a car accident can negatively affect your life. From the initial trauma and health toll to the financial burden of medical bills and vehicle repair fees, it can be a lot to deal with.

One consequence of car accidents that people often overlook is the potential for lost wages. If you are injured or lose access to reliable transportation, you may end up missing work. Whether it’s just a day, weeks, or even months, that’s money you don’t have at the exact time when you need it the most.

How do you claim lost wages from a car accident, though? Who can claim? What is the process of claiming lost wages?

The car accident lawyers at Selingo Guagliardo are used to hearing these kinds of questions, as well as many others. That’s why we put together this helpful guide. If you need assistance claiming lost wages from a car accident in PA, schedule an appointment with Selingo Guagliardo today. We will put our expertise to work for you.

Is It Possible To Claim Lost Wages From a Car Accident?

When planning to file a personal injury claim following a car accident, you may be unsure if you are eligible to claim lost wages. Here are a few factors that you should take into consideration before file your claim:

• Did you have to take time off from work in order to receive treatment?

• Did your injury make it difficult to leave the house or find reliable transportation?

• Did your injury inhibit your ability to perform the work your job requires?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be able to receive compensation to recoup any wages you would have otherwise received but ended up losing due to your car accident.

Can Self-Employed Individuals Claim Lost Wages?

Claiming lost wages when you’re employed by another person or company is one thing, but what about individuals who work freelance or who are self-employed? Can they claim lost wages from a car accident?

Yes, actually! Any person who loses income because of a car accident arising from someone else’s negligence can file a personal injury claim. Although it may be more difficult to calculate or show evidence of your lost wages, the fact remains that if your ability to earn was demonstrably limited by your injury, you deserve compensation.

How To Recover Lost Wages From the Other Party

In addition to receiving compensation from the insurance company of whatever party was responsible for your accident, in some cases, you may be able to file for compensation directly from the other party.

These kinds of personal injury cases usually take 1-2 years, with the process being faster if the party at fault has income benefits that can make the process faster. Depending on if you are self-employed or a W-2 worker, your worth and approach may differ. For example, a W-2 worker will need a few documents, including:

• A letter from your physician

• A letter from your employer

If you are self-employed, you will need the following documents:

• Your most recent tax return

• Your bank account statements

• Any client contracts you have

• Your 1099s
  

Personal injury cases can be difficult and confusing to deal with, not the least because you’re likely still hurting, healing, and under pressure as a result of the accident itself. Claiming lost wages from a car accident can make things even trickier. It pays to have a good lawyer by your side.

The landscape of personal injury law is complicated and dotted with pitfalls that, without professional training and experience, can be hard to navigate. Working with the car accident lawyers at Selingo Guagliardo can help ensure you receive the financial support you deserve, including:

• Compensation for your lost wages

• Payment for the pain and suffering caused by the accident

• Payment for any hospital bills that may result from the accident

• Compensation for possible injuries or surgeries

• Payment for automobile and other property damages

• Payment for any necessary physical therapy treatments

• …and more!

Your attorney can also help you with other related legal issues that may arise from the circumstances surrounding your accident, such as insurance coverage disputes.

Call Selingo Guagliardo to Get Yourself a Good Lawyer

A car accident is more than just a disruption in your day-to-day existence; it’s a potentially life-altering event that can have serious consequences for your health, your emotional well-being, and your financial stability.

With the professional attorneys at Selingo Guagliardo by your side, you don’t have to deal with these obstacles on your own. Let us help you shoulder the burden, so you can go forward and get the compensation you deserve.

Call Selingo Guagliardo today. We’re always happy to help.

Understanding a Personal Injury Trial

It’s a fact of life that accidents happen, and sometimes those accidents result in serious injuries. However, some accidents can be prevented.

Suffering an injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or as a result of medical malpractice can be traumatic in a number of ways. Not only is it physically and emotionally painful, it can also place a strain on your finances, leaving you with medical bills, lost wages, and other such issues to worry about.

At Selingo Guagliardo, we know how difficult it is dealing with an injury resulting from someone else’s carelessness. Instead of letting that hold you back, we want to help you go forward and get the compensation you need to live your life to its fullest.

That said, before you pursue a personal injury case, it’s important to understand what that fully entails. Although some cases end  in a settlement before ever going to court, others will require a personal injury trial.

What Is a Personal Injury Trial?

When a person suffers an injury in a car accident or other unforeseen calamity, there are usually two ways the matter can be settled between the injured party and the negligent party. First, the two parties can agree to an informal settlement. The second option: filing a formal complaint or lawsuit.

Resolving matters through a personal injury trial is often a complicated process that requires the help of an experienced and professional personal injury attorney. If you’re hesitant or confused about what you should do following an injury, consider scheduling an appointment with the lawyers at Selingo Guagliardo. We can help you evaluate all aspects of your personal injury claim to help you determine the right course of action for you.

How to Prepare Yourself for a Personal Injury Trial

Discuss Your Concerns with an Attorney

In a trial, both parties are entitled to have their own lawyers to pursue or defend  the case and assist them with the trial necessities. A good personal injury lawyer will provide you with expert guidance and advice every step of the way.

Assemble Necessary Documents and Evidence

Prior to your trial, you will be asked to provide facts and documents to justify your personal injury. This may include medical records showing the extent of your injury, bank statements showing the negative effect your injury has had on your finances, and any evidence you might have that your injury was caused by another party’s negligence.

For example, if you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you might want to include photographs of the site of the incident that show slippery floors, missing handrails, or insufficient safety precautions. Anything you think may support your claim should be considered as possible evidence.

Consider Resolutions Before the Personal Injury Trial

Before your personal injury trial starts, it is possible to settle things without having to go to court. Discussions, resolutions, and arrangements can be held between both parties until they arrive at a decision that all sides mutually agree on. However, if things still remain hard to resolve or if one party refuses to compromise, the next step is the trial itself.

It’s important not to feel pressured to accept a settlement that you don’t feel comfortable with. While resolving matters without going to trial is often beneficial for everyone involved, your lawyer will be able to give you an idea if a suggested settlement is adequate or not.

Pursue Your Claims in a Court of Law

During the trial, evidence and documents will be presented, and both sides will have the chance to express their arguments about the case. Trials usually require multiple days, although depending on the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses involved, it is possible for the matter to be settled after just one session.

When the trial is over, the judge will instruct the jury on the law and the jury will then decide the facts to enable them to provide their verdict or decision. This can be in favor of one party, or a compromised decision where both parties share fault.

Get Yourself a Good Lawyer Today

While a personal injury trial is never something to take lightly, it shouldn’t cause you undue stress or anxiety either. The whole point of a personal injury case, after all, is to get you the support and compensation you deserve.

That’s why, at Selingo Guagliardo, we strive to ensure that your personal injury trial experience is as smooth as possible. We are here to help you navigate the complicated world of personal injury law and to ensure you achieve the best outcome possible.

Let us put our expertise to work for you. Contact Selingo Guagliardo today.