What to Bring to Your Initial Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Consultation
One of the most vital steps in assisting a New York medical malpractice attorney in understanding your case is preparation for the first consultation. This meeting will allow the client and attorney to set a scope for the case, ensure a client is confident in an attorney’s ability to grasp their needs, and for the attorney to better reflect on the representation a client will require. Bringing these documents to an initial meeting will pave the way for successful representation in a Syracuse medical malpractice lawsuit.
Medical Records
Computers have made accessing medical records more straightforward than ever. Detailed documents of a patient’s medical records tell the story of the patient’s damages. These documents can pinpoint vital health changes resulting from negligence and help establish a timeline.
Documentation should include a list of prescribed medications, therapy records, and results from diagnostic testing. A pharmacist should be able to assist with medication documentation. Medical diagnostic errors are more common than realized, affecting thousands of lives each year, and insurance companies are prepared to dispute these allegations aggressively when substantial documentation is missing.
Employment Documentation
Paystubs, human resources correspondence, or any documentation that reflects the amount of work lost due to your injuries and any concessions made on the job to accommodate your injuries if you can return to work will contribute to defining the monetary value of your loss. Also, include lost bonuses and wage increase potential or any factor contributing to the loss of income.
Photographs
Medical records tell the story of injuries due to medical malpractice, but photographs paint the picture of the severity of injuries. Pictures may be challenging to take and look at, but they are vital documentation. Taking pictures of the affected area to document the possible medical error is crucial.
To further illustrate how medical neglect has impacted your life, bring pictures representing your health and ability before the injuries. Medical negligence has the profound capacity to reduce a person’s quality of life, cause emotional distress and trauma, and lead to a loss of enjoyment of life, which is often captured in pictures that reflect a person’s ability pre-injury. These non-economic damages are as life-altering as the economic damages.
A List of Questions
It is expected that you will have questions, especially during an initial medical malpractice lawsuit consultation. Some of the questions to consider include:
- Will your team pursue a court case if a settlement is not reached?
- How does your firm collect payment for legal fees?
- Who will I speak with about my case during the process, and how are communications handled?
- Can you estimate a timeline for my case?
You will work closely with a Syracuse medical malpractice attorney during the legal process. It is essential to feel comfortable sharing openly about your injuries. Each client plays a vital role and ultimately has the choice of the best course of action in a case when options are presented, so creating a strategy that fits your unique situation should be a primary goal.
Work With an Experienced New York Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC have a combined 50 years of experience with personal injury law, serving the needs of clients who have suffered from medical malpractice. We devote personalized attention to each client to ensure a case is thoroughly represented, seeking the best outcome possible to meet your needs. Schedule a free consultation today by submitting an online request or calling (315) 314-8000.