Making Sure the Law Is On Your Side

Medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States, which is one big reason why it is taken so seriously within the legal system. If you've been injured physically, mentally, or both, you may be entitled to receive compensation for those injuries. You'll need to consult with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to determine whether you have a case, and if so, how to go about resolving it. Here's what you should bring along to your consultation to help ensure your time spent is effective:

Medical Records

One of the most important things to bring with you to your initial medical malpractice consultation is the medical records, letters, and paperwork that's been generated and pertains to your case. In addition to all the records the doctor in question has for you, it's important to gather copies of:

• Records from previous doctors that can help prove your state of health before the malpractice took place.
• Letters from professionals who have treated you after the malpractice was experienced.
• Records of medications that you took before, during, and after the malpractice happened.
• X-Rays and other reports that indicate the extent of your injuries.

After you've gathered all the paperwork, make additional copies for your lawyer so you can keep the originals in a safe place at home in case they're needed at some point throughout the legal process.

Employment Paperwork

In addition to your medical records, you should collect a letter from your employer that indicates how your injuries have affected your ability to do your job and a report from the management team that outlines how much work you've missed and how much money you've lost. Your medical malpractice lawyer can use this information to help determine how much money to ask for when filing your initial personal injury claim in the court system.

Witness Statements

To provide some extra depth and insight into the medical malpractice you experienced, it's a good idea to collect statements from various people who have personally witnessed the effects of your injuries. Coworkers may be willing to provide you with statements that indicate their witnessing of pain you've been in, your difficulty completing tasks while on the clock, and the number of days they noticed you missing at the workplace.

Friends and family members can document what they witness at home when it comes to your pain and suffering, and your inability to function as you did before the medical malpractice took place. Ask everyone who provides you with a statement for their contact information so your lawyer can get in touch with them to ask more questions if they feel the need to.

Related Expense Reports

It's also important to provide your medical malpractice attorney with a report of all the expenses you have had and currently endure as a result of the medical malpractice you experienced. Physical therapy and medication costs that aren't covered by your insurance, payments for loans you've had to get due to loss of work, and even transportation costs if you can't drive yourself as a result of your injuries should be documented and presented to your medical malpractice lawyer.

If a traditional receipt can't be obtained for all of your expenses, ask for a letter that itemizes your costs and what exactly those expenses were for. You can also provide your lawyer with a list of facilities and companies you can't get a receipt from so they can obtain the information they need about expenses they believe are associated with your medical malpractice case.

Ask your attorney to provide you with an outline of the topics that will be discussed at your initial consultation so you know what additional documents and pieces of proof should be brought along with the things mentioned here.