If you are considering filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, the best thing to do is make an appointment with one of the Pittsburgh injury attorney in your area. Malpractice attorneys specialize in this type of case, and can give you a good idea of whether your case will have a good chance of winning in the courtroom. They can also advise you on what type of evidence you need to gather in order to support your claim.
In the meantime, it can help to consider a few things. Was the harm you sustained a direct result of a physician who was tending to your care making a poor judgement? You will need to be able to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that a decision or action by that physician was what caused your injury. If there is evidence that can be prevented by the other side’s lawyers, including proof that you refused care of some type or did not take your medications as ordered, you may not have a solid case in court.
Also consider whether the incident was truly the fault of your physician, or a nurse, or perhaps hospital policy in general. For instance, if your physician ordered medication correctly but it was administered incorrectly, your lawsuit would be more appropriately aimed at the nurse or hospital in which the incident occurred.
If your illness was due in part to some sort of negligence of your own, you may not be able to sue successfully. Patients are held accountable for their own decisions, at least to some degree. If, for instance, you were taken to the hospital because of a drug overdose, you may be seen as an irresponsible or reckless person by the judge. Also, if you refused a standard treatment accepted by the medical community as the best option, and instead requested an alternative treatment not generally recommended for your situation, you may not have much evidence to back your claim that the injury was the fault of your doctor.
There are a lot of things to consider, but if you feel you have a strong case that can be proven in court, then talk to a medical malpractice lawyer. Be honest and open about all the facts, and he or she will be able to tell you whether a lawsuit is appropriate in your circumstance.