If my father had a lawsuit againsta doctor, how can I find any info on the case?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If my father had a lawsuit againsta doctor, how can I find any info on the case?
My father has been deceased since 10/08. I filled out the paperwork from a lawyer for my father and he signed it. I have no recollection of the lawyer’s name or firm. My father never found out anything because he died. What can I do because during that time different lawyers have said that he had a good case and wanted to represent my father. The doctor treated him for asthma when he had heart problems. I’ve been going in circles.
Asked on November 9, 2010 under Malpractice Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
If a lawsuit was filed and you know where it was filed, you can go to the court and look in the court's computer. Look in the plaintiff/defendant index. Look for your father's name under plaintiff. If a lawsuit was filed, that will give you the name and case number of the case. Once you have the case number, you can give that information to the court clerk and ask to see the file. You won't be able to take the file as that is the original file, but you can look at it at the court and request copies of any or all pages.
If no lawsuit was filed, you can retain an attorney in the medical malpractice case; however, if you signed a retainer with the attorney whose name you can't recall, that other attorney could assert a lien which means that attorney as well as the new attorney would both have to be paid out of the case and this would reduce the amount you may receive in a future settlement.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.