Medical malpractice suit.
I filed a pro se, in forma pauperis suit against the big Hospital on the hill here in Portland, OR. I have filed everything in a timely manner. However, It has been 30 days and I have not yet recieved an answer to the summons that was served by the local sheriffs office on Jan 4th. What do I need to do now?? I was hoping to get an answer so I could get a court date. Then ask for time to find an attorney. I haven't been able to find a good attorney yet. All the good ones are booked. I can't seem to get past the receptionist.
Thank you so much for your time.
Hope you can give me some direction.
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Re: Medical malpractice suit.
I presume you're saying that the hospital has not filed a responsive pleading within the 30 days they're supposed to. That's not altogether unusual, although I'm a little surprised their lawyers haven't at least contacted you to ask for an extension of time to file that pleading.
When a defendant in a civil suit files a responsive pleading, it doesn't always mean a trial date is set. Depends on the document filed.
Since you're having so much difficulty locating a lawyer to represent you, IF you are lower income, you may qualify to become a client of the Legal Clinic, operated in downtown Portland by the local law school: The Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, or Lewis & Clark.
The clinic takes on a variety of types of cases, and generally for little or no cost. Law students handle these cases, but they WORK HARDER than a lot of lawyers do, and the student work is closely supervised by the clinic's staff of lawyers.
Ordinary legal aid won't usually help in situations such as you describe, and even the Clinic may have some issues. Be sure to tell them that you've been REJECTED by three or more private attorneys, if true, as it apparently is.
Best of luck to you,
Sam
