Top Santa Fe, NM Medical Malpractice Lawyers Near You

Do You Have a Medical Malpractice Case?

Hospitas, doctors, and other medical staff are supposed to help patients, not injure them. Unfortuantely, when something a healthcare professional does or does not do causes a patient to be injured, he or she likely has committed medical malpractice and you may have a case.

Common Medical Malpractice Cases

Medical malpractice cases come in many forms. Some common types of medical malpractice cases include failure to diagnose medical conditions or misdiagnosis, surgical errors, anesthesia negligence, birth injuries and hospital negligence.

If you or a loved one was injured due to the fault of a medical professional, now is the time to act. Not only could you be entitled to compensation, but you could also hold the care providers responsible for their negligence. Speaking with an experienced Santa Fe medical malpractice attorney can help you determine if you have a case by reviewing your medical records and, if needed, he or she will hire a medical expert to get the additional evidence needed to evaluate your claim.

What sort of issues can I seek legal help with?

Specialized legal help is available for most legal issues. Each case is unique; seeking legal help is a smart first step toward understanding your legal situation and seeking the best path toward resolution for your case. An experienced lawyer understands the local laws surrounding your case and what your best legal options might be. More importantly, there are certain situations and circumstances – such as being charged with a crime – where you should always seek experienced legal help.

The Importance of a Good Consultation

The goal of an initial consultation is to find an attorney you are comfortable working with and someone who can help you understand your options under the law. Seek to understand the relevant legal experience the attorney brings to your case. While it is not realistic to expect an attorney to resolve your legal issue during an initial consultation, you should gain a level of comfort with his/her ability to do so. A good consultation can clarify issues, raise pertinent questions and considerations for your case, and help you make an informed decision towards resolving your legal issue.

Tips on Hiring an Experienced Lawyer with Medical Malpractice Cases

The more experienced a lawyer is in legal practice, the more likely he/she will be able to bring about a successful resolution to your issue. Since experience matters, lawyers who’ve been practicing law for many years (with a successful track record) tend to be in high demand. You should look for information about a lawyer’s experience and ask questions during the initial meeting. It’s a very good idea to ask the lawyer how many years he/she has been practicing law and the expected outcome of your case.

Common legal terms explained

Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.

Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.

Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.