Medical malpractice lawyers in Minneapolis generally provide free initial consultations. During these meetings, prospective clients can learn whether they have a good case.
Malpractice Definition
Many men and women misunderstand the meaning of malpractice. The term addresses a situation in which a patient was injured or died due to a practitioner’s negligence or intent. It does not apply if a mistake was made and the patient was not harmed. It also does not apply if a negative outcome occurred that could be expected in some cases.
Proving Harm
The patient must be able to prove harm was caused by the incident. The second requirement is proving that this injury should never have happened in professional medical care. This is a key point for medical malpractice lawyers in Minneapolis.
An Example
For example, family members may notice after a few days that a hospitalized patient is not wearing protective footwear. These devices prevent pressure sores from developing. This was an oversight by hospital employees, but it is not malpractice if no sores developed.
Pre-Litigation Hearings
Even when harm has occurred, the medical facility or practitioner may be unwilling to admit liability. The insurer may refuse to offer a settlement, deciding instead to pursue a pre-litigation hearing and perhaps proceed to trial.
Expert Witnesses
The plaintiff’s attorney needs expert witnesses to testify and verify their opinion that malpractice occurred. These witnesses have extensive experience in the medical specialty relevant to the incident. A neurosurgeon might not be considered qualified to determine the severity of a cardiovascular surgeon’s error.
