Is Personal Injury the Same as Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is a serious issue that can leave you worse off than the issue you’re treating. Such cases can be long and complex, leaving you with lifelong physical and emotional distress. If you’ve been the victim of medical malpractice, you may be looking for a personal injury lawyer. However, it’s important to understand the difference between a general personal injury and medical malpractice so you get the legal representation you need.

The Complexities of Medical Malpractice Cases

The main difference between a personal injury vs. medical malpractice case is the complexity. Medical malpractice is a specific type of personal injury case. While they’re very closely related, medical malpractice cases require diligence and heavy review from a lawyer who takes extra time researching and documenting the details. Medical malpractice cases also tend to take longer in court. Even though your doctor is at fault, they’ll take extra time and effort to deny any fault.

Differences Between Personal Injury vs. Medical Malpractice

There are other small differences between personal injury and medical malpractice cases, such as:

• Required paperwork: A medical malpractice suit requires an affidavit from a doctor admitting the defendant is at fault before the case can be filed in court.
• Statute of limitations: In Missouri, personal injury claims must be filed within five years of the injury. However, medical malpractice cases only have a statute of limitations of two years.
• Extra Witnesses: Medical malpractice cases sometimes require expert witnesses, such as subject matter experts, that can cause extra fees.

A medical malpractice lawsuit is no joke. You’ll want an experienced lawyer on your side who can aid you through the discovery phase and build you the strongest possible case. They’ll also need to help you through the intricacies of the trial and know the law to get you the compensation you deserve. Fortunately, the legal experts at Lanzotti & Rau are here to help.

Your Missouri Medical Malpractice Lawyers

No matter what type of personal injury you’re facing, the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation. To learn more about our personal injury legal services or how we handle our medical malpractice cases, schedule a free consultation by calling us at 573-335-9300.