Medical malpractice is negligence. Negligence is the failure to exercise due care (that degree of care that a reasonable medical practitioner in the community would have exercised under the same or similar circumstances to prevent foreseeable harm).Prior to filing a lawsuit for negligence against the doctor, it may be possible to settle the case with his/her malpractice insurance carrier. Your claim filed with the malpractice insurance carrier should include your medical bills, medical reports and documentation of wage loss.Compensation for the medical bills is straight reimbursement. The medical reports document your medical condition and are used to determine compensation for pain and suffering which is an amount in addition to the medical bills. Compensation for wage loss is straight reimbursement.If the case is settled with the malpractice insurance carrier,  NO lawsuit is filed.If you are dissatisfied with the settlement offers from the malpractice insurance carrier, reject them and file a lawsuit for negligence against the doctor. If the case is NOT settled, your lawsuit for negligence against the doctor must be filed prior to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or you will lose your rights forever in the matter.