§ 34-18-8-1 Commencement of action; complaint
§ 34-18-8-2 Fees
§ 34-18-8-3 Demand; reasonable damages
§ 34-18-8-4 Prerequisites to commencement of action; presentation of claim to medical review panel
§ 34-18-8-5 Agreements not to present claims to medical review panels
§ 34-18-8-6 Claims not greater than $15,000; commencement of action; dismissal without prejudice
§ 34-18-8-7 Commencement of action while claim being considered by medical review panel
§ 34-18-8-8 Motion to dismiss filed by commissioner
medical exam

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Terms Used In Indiana Code > Title 34 > Article 18 > Chapter 8 - Commencement of a Medical Malpractice Action

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • in writing: include printing, lithographing, or other mode of representing words and letters. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.