(1) An agreement contained in a record to submit to arbitration any existing or subsequent controversy arising between the parties to the agreement is valid, enforceable, and irrevocable except upon a ground that exists at law or in equity for the revocation of contract.
An arbitration proceeding is similar to a regular court trial. The main difference is that arbitration can be either binding or non-binding, as agreed in advance by the disputing parties. If binding arbitration has been chosen, the decision or award is final.
Always get straight to the merits without berating the other side or whining about how badly it has treated you. Another threat to your credibility is the “kitchen sink” arbitration demand or a response that includes numerous claims or defenses that have little chance of succeeding.
The current options include different types of arbitration. Some states have voluntary binding and non-binding arbitration; others have mandatory arbitration for all medical malpractice claims, while in others it is mandatory if the damage claims are under a specific amount.
Settlement by agreement is the cheapest option and gives you the most control. Both mediation and arbitration are expensive, and arbitration is usually binding, so the ultimate decision is out of your control.
Arbitrators are like judges in that they listen to each side and then issue a written decision after the hearing. In unusual instances, an impartial automotive expert technician will be assigned to assist the arbitrator. The expert's function is not to provide testimony for either side in the dispute.
Instead of a judge or a jury deciding the outcome, a private arbitrator (or panel of three arbitrators) determines: whether the patient has proven that the health care professional committed medical malpractice, and if so, how much compensation ("medical malpractice damages") the patient should receive.
Either Party to a contract in which there is an Arbitration clause can either himself or through an authorised agent may invoke Arbitration so as to refer the dispute to arbitration, as per provisions of the arbitration clause.
A claimant will typically start arbitration by sending a document known as a “request for arbitration” or a “notice to arbitrate” to its opponent.