Are You a Victim of Medical Malpractice? Here’s What To Do
Medical malpractice is something no one wants to have to deal with but it still happens too often. It is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States and it’s estimated that over 195,000 patients die every year as a result of a medical error. If you suspect you or a loved one has been a victim, you must act immediately to avoid complications and get fully compensated. Here’s what you should do if you or someone you know is a victim of malpractice.
Change Doctors
The most important thing right now is to take care of your health. So, if you think you were a victim of a medical error, you should change doctors or facilities immediately. Some will have long histories of malpractice and dodgy hiring issues, and this could end up working in your favor later on. But more importantly, you won’t have to worry about them making other errors as long as you choose your new doctor wisely.
Call An Attorney
The next thing you have to do is call an attorney. You can’t call just any attorney either. You need to go with a firm that is used to these types of cases. People like the Hensley Legal Group are a perfect example. They will be able to sit down with you and look at whether you have a case or not. A good team will also fight tooth and nail for you and won’t leave a stone unturned.
Pick a team with lots of resources as they’ll be able to bring in experts and be better at gathering evidence. They will also be more likely to go to court for you to get maximum compensation instead of rushing an agreement.
Gather Evidence on Your Own
It will also be important that you do some of the work yourself if you want to increase your chances of winning and getting a fair judgment. You should start by requesting a copy of your medical records immediately. The record will show things such as your medical history, some of the symptoms you reported when coming in, and how you were treated.
This could be very important in establishing if you have a valid malpractice claim. They might find out that you came in with early symptoms of a heart attack, but the doctor failed to recognize that you had a family history of heart issues. If it was shown that they didn’t test you properly and misdiagnosed you as a result, it could prove that the doctor was negligent and strengthen your case.
We would also suggest that you start keeping a journal. You should document your condition after the error and how it affected your life. If you’re feeling sorrow or can’t go to work because of it, these are all things that you could seek damages from, and a journal will help prove it.
Limit Contacts
You should also try to limit contact with third parties as much as you can. Do not threaten the doctor or facility with legal action or tell them you’re using a lawyer. Cut off social media. And do not deal with any insurance company without speaking with your lawyer first.
This is all you need to know if you think you’ve been a victim of malpractice. The most important is having a strong team by your side that will help you build a solid case and give you tips on how to maneuver properly.
Boris Dzhingarov graduated UNWE with a major in marketing. He is the founder of ESBO ltd a brand mentioning company. He is also passionate about meditation and healthy living. You can find articles on such topics at his spiritual blog Dzhingarov.com.