Filing
a Request For a Medical
Review Panel
A request for review may
take one of two acceptable
formats. The first format
is similiar to a regular
Petition for Damages filed
in an ordinary civil suit.
The other acceptable format
is in letter form. Regardless
of the format chosen, a
request for review must
contain certain basic information
to be deemed legally acceptable.
The request for review
should contain a sentence
specifically requesting
that a medical review panel
be formed to review the
actions of the health care
providers about which the
patient is complaining.
The specific full names
of the physicians nurses
and hospitals must be included.
Next, the specific dates
of treatment provided by
the health care providers
should be included. If a
physician or hospital treated
the patient over a period
of time the beginning and
ending dates can be set
forth.
The next paragraph should
provide a specific statement
regarding the allegations
of medical malpractice.
It may not be enough to
simply say that malpractice
is suspected. The specific
aspects of the care about
which the patient is complaining
should be included. If a
death is involved, then
the date of death should
be included.
The next paragraph should
set forth the damages or
injuries which are believed
to have been caused by the
alleged malpractice. Again,
be specific about the nature
and extent of the injuries,
including whether permanent
disability or disfigurement
is involved.
For instance, evidence
may be authenticated by
the testimony oFinally,
be sure to include at the
beginning the names of the
persons on whose behalf
the request for review is
being made. If the patient
is requesting a review panel
on his own behalf that should
be stated and a return address
provided. If the case involves
a death and the children
or spouse is bringing the
claim, then the names of
all persons bringing the
claim should be included.came
authenticated by the officer's
testimony.
As
of June 16, 2002,
the proper address
to file a request
for review with
the Division of
Administration
is:
Louisiana
Commissioner
of Administration
Attention:
Medical Review
Panel
Baton Rouge,
Louisiana 70804-4336
Their new physical
address (as of January
2003), is: 1201 N.
3rd Street
7th Floor, Suite 7-210
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70802
The
phone number is (225)
342-7000.
It is
imperative that all
requests for review
be sent to the above
address by CERTIFIED
MAIL RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED. The request
is deemed filed on
the date it is sent
if it is sent by Certified
Mail. Make sure the
post office stamps
the return receipt
with the date it is
mailed. This is your
only proof of the
date of filing. A
request for review
sent by any other
method of mail (including
Federal Express),
is deemed filed on
the date of receipt,
not the date sent.
