What Laws Surround Medical Malpractice In Connecticut?

Medical malpractice is a serious issue in Connecticut that affects many patients a year. Yet filing a claim against a negligent doctor in order to receive compensation can be tricky. These laws are extremely complicated, but understanding the basics is important.

Key Factors of Medical Malpractice in Connecticut

First, you should know how long you have to file a claim due to doctor error or any other form of medical malpractice. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations is two years from the time you learn of your injury. In addition, you have up to one year after your procedure to learn about your injury, totaling three years from your hospital visit.

Second, you must have a certificate of good faith. This is a document that shows you or your attorney spoke to a healthcare professional who is intimately familiar with the defendant’s field. This doctor must attest to the fact that the defendant did make a mistake in their care of you. If needed, you could be granted a 90-day extension of the statute of limitations to obtain this document.

Finally, you must be able to show that the doctor committed medical malpractice, not ordinary negligence. Essentially, you must show that the doctor deviated from the ordinary care of whatever you originally went to him for, and that this deviance led to your injury.

Why Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer?

Doctors tend to have powerful lawyer friends who will try to settle the medical malpractice lawsuit before it goes to court. While these deals are sometimes fair, they are often lowballed. It is not a good idea to sign important documents without having an attorney review it first. A lawyer on your side may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve.