If you have suffered injuries from medical negligence, there is a proceeding called a Medical Review Panel (MRP) that is the initial step before the lawsuit. The MRP consists of three doctors in the same area of practice as the doctor that allegedly caused your injuries. The Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act allows the plaintiff or patient to pick one member of the panel, the accused or defendant doctor to pick the second member of the panel, and those two physicians get together and agree on the third member of the MRP.
If you think that the MRP yields an impartial decision, you are incorrect. Statistics show that approximately 95 percent of all MRPs rule in favor of the doctors and against the patients. After the MRP decision, you have 90 days to file your medical malpractice lawsuit. The opinion of the Medical Review Panel is admissible as evidence at the trial, and the MRP members may testify at trial regarding their opinion.
Needless to say, the results at the MRP stage are critical. Given that the majority of MRP decisions go against the patient, you want to make sure your medical malpractice lawyer is experienced. Your attorney should approach the MRP as a trial and be prepared to present your case and advocate for a good result.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans medical malpractice lawyers