Each year, thousands of deaths are due to medical negligence and errors. For those who are not killed because of medical malpractice, they are often left to suffer from non-fatal, permanent injuries. It is important to seek help from medical negligence lawyers if you feel you or a loved one were a victim. Below are some steps you should take if you suspect medical negligence.
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Find A New Doctor
Victims of medical negligence need to put their health at the top of their priority list. If you believe your current doctor has made errors in your treatment or diagnosis, it’s crucial to find another doctor quick to have the mistakes corrected. Allow them to spend some time reviewing your records and performing any necessary tests before they give you their opinion.
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Get Treatment
If your new doctor finds evidence of damage caused by your previous doctor, allow them to treat the damage while focusing their treatment on the complications caused by your previous doctor’s errors. If your first doctor gave you a misdiagnosis, your new doctor should focus on finding a new diagnosis and a treatment plan for the condition.
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Obtain Medical Records
After getting your new diagnosis or treatment for the medical errors from your previous doctor, is important to request a copy of your medical records. When it comes to your medical malpractice case, your records are going to play an important role. The records are going to include information about the symptoms you were experiencing, any tests performed, your complete medical history and any medications you were prescribed by your original doctor. Have these records in your possession before you file a medical negligence claim. If not, your healthcare provider may try to change the information within the records.
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Keep Record Of Information
If you think you have become a victim of medical negligence, keep a record of notes based on your health and any interactions with medical professionals. Describe in detail the type of symptoms you experience including the ones that were a result of medical errors. Entries in your journal can be a crucial piece of evidence in a medical negligence case. The more detailed your entries are, the more they may help you get a satisfying outcome.
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Contact A Reputable Attorney
The complexities of a medical negligence case are significant. It is never recommended to try and to file a claim against a medical professional by yourself. Instead of trying to represent yourself, is highly recommended to hire the help of a reputable attorney who has experience in these types of cases.
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Vet Potential Lawyers
Because you will want a favorable outcome on your medical negligence case, it is important to take your time finding an attorney you can trust and that will keep your best interests at heart. Before hiring an attorney to work with and signing the paperwork, schedule a consultation to see if they would make a good fit for your medical negligence case.
The consultation will allow you to ask questions and learn more about their experience and skills with medical malpractice cases. When explaining your situation to your lawyer, be as detailed as possible and do not leave any information out even if it seems to be insignificant.
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Do Not Contact The Other Parties
When you hire an attorney, they are to act as your main point of contact for all matters of the case. There is no need for you to speak with any parties involved. Don’t make contact with any individuals or healthcare providers at the facility you are listing in your medical negligence claim. If you reach out to them, it could end up hurting your case. Additionally, do not speak about your case while it is ongoing through your social media accounts or any local platforms online.
If you believe you or a family member are a victim of medical negligence, it is in your best interest to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you will have someone fighting for your rights while helping to recover you the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and more. You do not have to fight alone.
