Are you someone who believes your healthcare professional has been careless or negligent towards you or your family member in any way? If yes, there are vital steps that you can take to make sure you protect your rights. As per a study conducted by people from Johns Hopkins University, medical mistakes occur too often these days. In fact, around 15% of the fatalities in this country are caused due to medical errors.
While it is possible to get the help of a malpractice attorney who can navigate you through the process of protecting your rights as a victim of medical malpractice, it is important to choose the right attorney.
- Never discuss medical malpractice with your doctor
Don’t make the mistake of accusing your healthcare professional or medical malpractice unless you have consulted your malpractice attorney. Taking any action that is outside the legal scope of the approach designed by your attorney might reduce your chances of obtaining success in your medical malpractice lawsuit case. For this same reason, you should also stay away from posting anything on social media.
- Try to get a different doctor
Since your health is your first priority, as soon as you sense medical negligence, try to get another doctor who can help you out. If you don’t do this and stick to the same doctor, you may heighten the chance of suffering from more negligence, like ineffective or delayed treatment. Tell your second doctor why you’re looking for treatment or diagnosis from him, including your suspicion of medical malpractice.
- Make a journal of your experience
Don’t ever depend on your doctors as they are not going to maintain detailed notes of your medical situation. Though you might not be a healthcare professional your detailed notes of the entire incident can matter a lot in the near future. In case you still haven’t started journaling your experience, start it as soon as possible. Write down the symptoms, the treatment offered (or the lack of it), and how the negligence has affected your life.
- Get copies of your medical records
Your medical records are the most valuable evidence in your malpractice case and hence you need to gather all your records including test reports, medicines prescribed, and any other surgical procedure that was performed. These records are proof of the fact that you or your patient was misdiagnosed or the doctor was incapable of reviewing your medical history before prescribing medicines. This is why it is vital for you to secure copies of your medical records before you file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
- Get help from a malpractice attorney
It is highly recommended that you seek the professional assistance of a medical malpractice lawyer who can protect your legal rights and obtain a fair settlement. Get a free consultation from a lawyer.
Therefore, now that you are aware of the ways in which you should handle a medical malpractice claim, you should take the required steps immediately when you sense negligence in a nursing home.