What is the difference between a medical malpractice lawsuit and a class-action lawsuit?

Medical malpractice and class-action lawsuits both involve seeking compensation for injuries suffered from a negligent party, but they differ in some key ways. Medical malpractice lawsuits are filed when a patient is injured as a result of a medical professional or medical facility’s negligence. The patient is usually the sole plaintiff and is seeking damages from the medical provider. A class-action lawsuit, on the other hand, is brought by a group of plaintiffs who are all allegedly injured by the same act of negligence from a company or manufacturer. This type of lawsuit is filed for the benefit of a larger group of individuals who have all been affected in the same way. In Michigan, the statute of limitations for class-action lawsuits is three years from the date of the incident that caused the injury. Another significant distinction between a medical malpractice and a class-action lawsuit is the types of damages sought. Medical malpractice cases typically seek punitive damages for the victim’s pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. In contrast, class-action lawsuits seek damages that are divided among all of the individual plaintiffs in the case. In Michigan, the state Medical Malpractice Act sets specific rules to follow regarding filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. It’s important to prepare thoroughly for a medical malpractice lawsuit and to understand the differences between it and a class-action lawsuit prior to filing.

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What is the difference between a medical malpractice lawsuit and a class-action lawsuit?

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