“How often will my attorney update me about my medical malpractice case?”
This is one of the most common questions we receive from our clients – and it’s an important one.
In most Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases, there are long stretches of time where it may feel like little is happening. But these periods are a normal part of a complex legal process that can take two to three years from the time a lawsuit is filed to when it resolves, whether by settlement or trial.
What happens during the investigation stage?
Before filing your medical malpractice lawsuit, your legal team is busy:
- Gathering medical records, imaging, and test results
- Consulting with medical experts
- Collecting employment and tax records to support lost wage claims
This work is critical and ongoing—but most of it happens behind the scenes. Unless your input is needed, there may be no major updates to report until we reach a significant milestone.
What happens during litigation?
Once the medical malpractice case is filed in court, it enters a formal litigation process. There may still be long gaps in activity due to:
- Court scheduling delays
- The attorneys being tied up in other trials, motions, or court conferences
- Medical witnesses being unavailable for deposition
- The attorneys focusing on other active trials
This doesn’t mean your case is being ignored. During this time, we continue:
- Responding to requests from defense counsel
- Securing any additional medical records
- Communicating with expert witnesses
- Preparing for upcoming depositions or court deadlines
When will I be notified of developments?
You will hear from us immediately when:
- A court conference is scheduled to set deadlines or trial dates
- A deposition date is proposed for you or your family member
- Mediation is proposed or a settlement offer is made
- Your participation is needed to respond to questions from the defense
What if I don’t hear from my attorney for a while?
If things are quiet, that’s usually because we’re waiting on action from the court or defense attorneys—and there’s nothing new to report. That said, we are continuously tracking your case to ensure every deadline is met and every opportunity is taken to move it forward.
And of course, if you ever have questions or want a status update, you can always reach out. We are here to guide and support you at every stage.