When you visit a doctor, your hope is to get the treatment you need and head home without any complications. Most patients trust their doctors completely and cases of medical malpractice can be heartbreaking. Unfortunately, when doctors make mistakes they can cost you your health or life.
Like any other professionals, doctors make mistakes and even the best ones are only human. The American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys describes medical malpractice as when a doctor, hospital, or healthcare provider causes an injury to you because of their act, negligence, or omission. Malpractice may be demonstrated through errors in treatment, diagnosis, health management, or aftercare.
If you suspect that you may have been a victim of medical malpractice, you probably have. Common malpractice cases include:
- Surgical mistakes
- Administering the wrong medication
- Unnecessary procedures or surgeries
- Inaccurate medication
The following are a few things to do if you have been through medical malpractice:
1. Document It
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Document your case as much as possible. If you notice that you are not being treated, document your concerns. Get copies of your medical tests, lab results, blood work, doctors’ notes, and prescriptions. Take note of all changes in your treatment and get the names of all your healthcare providers, ask them about the details of your surgeries, medical procedures, and outcomes. Having a lot of documentation will improve the strength of your case.
2. Contact Your Lawyer First
When you find out that you have been the victim of malpractice, your first instinct may be to contact the doctor or hospital in anger. However, that is not a good idea. Contact your lawyer, and they will help you send the hospital a formal letter. Informal letters to your doctor or hospital may be described as pretrial notice.
Even though there are many medical malpractice lawyers in Douglasville, they aren’t all right for you. Find a Douglasville personal injury lawyer that specializes in medical malpractice. They should be experienced and professional. The statutes of limitations for medical malpractice are short. Your lawyer needs enough time to prepare. In such cases, it may be necessary to get experts during the trial process. Unqualified witnesses may not do much for your case. By contacting your lawyer early, they get enough time to identify and contact medical experts.
3. Avoid Discussing It On Social Media
Do not talk about your malpractice case on social media. While you may be frustrated, venting on social media platforms does more harm than good. If you put your business on social media, you give attorneys the chance to use your posts as exhibits.
If you need to talk about it, share your thoughts with an attorney, therapist, or a trusted loved one. Today, lawyers have enough training to gather your posts on social media and use them against you.
4. Question the Caregivers
Patients have the right to ask questions about the quality and type of care they are receiving. If you suspect that something is not right, ask your doctor about it. Ask about the details of every procedure and ensure that you understand the specific details of your illness.
While you should not harass or offend healthcare providers, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions either. Getting information from them may support your case.
5. Request an Investigation
When you have enough information from the healthcare providers and you have contacted an attorney, it may be time to request an investigation of the hospital. Even though the hospital may not make the results of their investigation public, it will raise awareness about your concerns. You may get an explanation of the case.
6. Continue Seeking Medical Help
Even though you may wish to seek justice after a medical malpractice case, you must remember that your health comes first. Whether the doctor prescribed the wrong medication and procedures or made anesthesia errors, your illness may be worse. You need another doctor to help you. No lawsuit is as important as your health.
Medical malpractice cases can be more taxing than most. They are not only difficult but also surrounded by a lot of societal stigmas. Patients place a lot of trust in healthcare providers. When they breach your trust, it can be a difficult experience. Fortunately, the right lawyer can help you submit your case and seek the compensation you deserve. Choose a lawyer that is professional, experienced, and passionate about helping patients. Even though there are plenty of medical malpractice lawyers all around the country, they aren’t always a good choice.
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