If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered harm because of the action or inaction of medical professionals, you should at least consider the possibility of taking legal action. With a malpractice lawsuit, you can seek compensation for expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Moreover, you can hold the responsible medical parties accountable.

A malpractice suit, like any legal action, should not be taken lightly. There are multiple factors to consider. Of course, you first need to determine whether you have a case. Just because harm was done, that doesn’t mean that it was due to medical negligence.

An experienced Connecticut medical malpractice attorney can offer advice, sometimes after consultation with medical professionals, on whether you have a viable case. He or she can also answer other questions that can help you determine whether or not you want to move forward with legal action and, if so, against whom. It’s essential that you take action against the appropriate personnel and/or facilities. This can improve your chances of prevailing.

Once you and your attorney have determined whether you have a case, how strong the evidence is, and whom you’ll be taking on, it’s important to step back and determine whether you’re emotionally ready.

Medical malpractice suits can be lengthy and difficult — particularly if you’re going up against a hospital with considerable financial and legal resources. Because you’ll likely be dealing with personal health issues, you need to be certain that you’re comfortable discussing those with strangers and possibly in open court.

The cost of bringing a lawsuit is also an important factor. Many medical malpractice attorneys don’t charge their clients a fee until and unless they get a recovery for them. That can help mitigate the costs considerably.

It’s essential to know what the statute of limitations is for bringing a medical malpractice suit. Too many people never receive the compensation or justice they deserve because they waited too long to pursue action.

In Connecticut, in most cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date the alleged malpractice was discovered, with a maximum of three years from the date of the incident. Therefore, regardless of what you decide, it’s best to seek guidance sooner rather than later.

Source: Huffington Post, “6 Things You Should Consider Before Filing a Suit for Medical Negligence,” Toby Nwazor, accessed June 16, 2016