A:Indiana requires most injured patients to go through a complex and often time-consuming procedure known as a medical panel review before pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit. This process involves submitting evidence of the alleged malpractice to a jointly-selected panel of three licensed health care professionals and a nonvoting attorney chairperson who are tasked to impartially review the evidence and decide whether malpractice occurred. Once evidence is submitted, both the plaintiff and defendant have the opportunity to question the panelists. Panel members have 180 days from selection to examine the evidence and provide an expert opinion on whether the actions or inactions of the defendant constitute as medical malpractice. Regardless of the panel's opinion, you still have the option to bring the case to court, though the panel's opinion can be submitted as evidence at trial and the healthcare professionals who served on the panel may be required to testify as expert witnesses.