Last June 14, Philips company had to recall their CPAP products due to serious health issues reported by their customers. As mentioned in some reports, the CPAP machines they sold contain sound abatement that releases toxic degraded foam particles. These particles flow directly into the air pathways of the users. It leads to many respiratory issues, non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), brain cancer, and other injuries. This led their customers to issue a complaint against the company, resulting in the product recall, which caused the class-action lawsuit. These CPAP lawsuits have impacted their business massively.
Those unsatisfied and harmed customers had issued a complaint. In that case, they needed further assistance from a medical malpractice lawyer. Medical malpractice not only can happen to physicians or nurses, but it can also happen to medical companies, such as Philips. Now, what is a medical malpractice lawyer? How do they help us issuing a complaint? A medical malpractice attorney is crucial because they can help you file a lawsuit against the doctor who made a mistake that caused you harm. A good lawyer should help you with the following steps.
Thorough Investigation
This is what a good lawyer should do first. They should contact the doctors, hospitals, or other health care providers involved in the alleged negligence. When getting those involved, they should request copies of all relevant medical records. You should conduct thorough research to understand your condition and obtain copies of relevant medical records.
You should also know how to treat the disease. A good lawyer will not only look up information on the Internet but will also consult an expert. If you had asthma at the time of the negligence, your attorney should consult an expert to learn more. Ask the lawyer to verify that you were treated properly.
Filing a Lawsuit and Pretrial Discovery
Once the attorney has completed their investigation and concluded that negligence occurred, they should file a lawsuit. The lawyer should then provide the defendants and their attorneys with copies showing that a lawsuit has been filed. Next, the attorney must identify the witnesses in the case. The attorney will decide what kind of people they are, whether the jury will like them, and whether they are reliable. The lawyer should also ask the witnesses to tell their stories. He should listen to all the witnesses and judge whether it is appropriate to move on to the next step.
Negotiations, Settlement, and Court Proceedings.
Most medical malpractice cases settle. Cases settle and don’t go to court. Because insurance companies cover the issues, they settle. Sometimes settlement negotiations fail, and the parties must go to court. During the negotiation phase, witnesses must testify in court. The attorney must prepare evidence and visual materials, as well as questions for the witnesses. Opening statements are also essential to increase your chances of winning. Although an attorney can do everything possible to help you win your case, the final decision rests with the judge. You should know your options and find the best medical malpractice attorney in your area if you have a chance.