Michigan Medical Malpractice Claims Fraught With Obstacles

Most of us know little or nothing about the practice of medicine. When we go to our doctors, for everything from a routine checkup to a serious emergency, we trust in them to conduct a proper and thorough examination and to formulate an adequate plan of care. Sometimes, as a result of the carelessness or inattention of the physician or other medical provider, a patient is harmed rather than healed.

Doctors and other medical providers have a legal duty to provide patients with treatment that meets the "standard of care." In layman’s terms, the standard of care is what an ordinary and prudent doctor should do in a given situation. If a doctor breaches the standard of care, and the patient is injured as a result, the doctor has committed medical malpractice.

Medical malpractice is more than just a breach of duty, it is a betrayal of trust. However, Michigan law can make it very difficult and expensive for victims to hold the at-fault doctors accountable. There are numerous procedural requirements demanded by law that must be strictly followed. Failure to follow these rules precisely could (and often does) result in the dismissal of an otherwise valid medical malpractice claim. Injured victims have only two years to bring a claim for malpractice, while victims of other types of negligence have three years. Moreover, the victim is required to procure the testimony of other doctors in order to prove his or her case. This is an expensive requirement, and the injured person’s doctors must have exactly the same credentials as the at-fault doctor or the claim may be dismissed.

In Michigan, even if a victim of medical malpractice can satisfy all the procedural requirements and prevail in court, their level of compensation may be limited. Medical malpractice damage caps operate to prevent severely hurt patients from fully recovering for their injuries.

Our office handles medical malpractice claims regularly, and our attorneys have extensive experience navigating Michigan’s legal obstacle course. If you suspect that you or a loved one is a victim of medical malpractice, contact our office to see if we can put our expertise to work for you.