Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Lees Summit

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Lees Summit, Missouri?

  The non-emergency number of the Lee’s Summit police department is 816-969-7390.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Lees Summit, Missouri?

  Police reports may be requested from the Records Unit of the Lee’s Summit Police Department at the following address: 10 NE Tudor Lee's Summit, MO 64086 Online request forms may be submitted at https://cityofls.net/police-department/public-information/police-reports-records.

• Are physicians in Lee’s Summit required to have medical malpractice insurance?

  No, Lee’s Summit physicians are not required to have medical malpractice insurance, just like all Missouri doctors. However, insurance is still useful for medical professionals as it helps them protect their personal assets and professional reputation. They need sufficient coverage because, even with liability limits and tort reform, medical malpractice lawsuits are still usually very costly. Medical practitioners working in some health care facilities or participating in health insurance plans may be required to get malpractice insurance.

• How does the discovery rule affect the statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits in Lee's Summit?

  The discovery rule pauses the statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits in certain situations in Lee's Summit. The two-year limitation on filing a claim begins only from the date negligence was discovered or should have been reasonably discovered. For example, when a surgeon accidentally leaves a foreign object inside the body of a patient, the two-year count only starts upon its discovery. However, even in situations of hidden negligence, plaintiffs still must file a suit within 10 years.

• Are there parties that are immune from medical malpractice lawsuits in Lee’s Summit?

  Due to the sovereign immunity doctrine, Missouri, which encompasses Lee’s Summit, is protected and immune from legal actions such as medical malpractice claims. The state’s immunity, however, does not extend to medical personnel such as nurses and doctors who work in medical facilities that are state-owned. Thus, a claimant cannot sue a hospital that is state-owned but can sue their medical staff.

• Does the law in Lee's Summit require parties in a medical malpractice case to use alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration before deciding to go to trial?

  The law that is in effect in Lee’s Summit does not require medical malpractice cases to undergo mandatory mediation, arbitration, a mini-trial, or alternative dispute resolution in the form of early neutral evaluation prior to undergoing trial. But the parties can opt to go through these processes to try to settle their dispute.

• What does the law require regarding the affidavit of merit in Lee’s Summit medical malpractice cases?

  Missouri state law, which applies to Lee’s Summit, requires claimants to provide the court with an affidavit of merit within 90 days after filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. If there are several medical providers named in their lawsuit, the plaintiff must file one affidavit for every negligent party mentioned, which specifically describes in detail their role in inflicting the injuries on the victim. Without these requirements, the court will most likely dismiss the case.