Steps To Take After Suspecting Medical Malpractice
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Entrusting the healthcare professionals with your health and them doing the exact opposite is a painful thing anyone can ever go through. The sad fact, however, is that cases of malpractice are quite high, and many people have suffered due to the negligence of doctors. Having to live with a lifelong condition simply because a doctor was not keen enough on your treatment is not easy. While suing the doctor does not mean that you will get your way of life back, you will at least get some peace knowing that you got justice. What then can you do when you suspect medical malpractice?
1. Get all your medical records
Gathering as much evidence is vital as it will come in handy in your case. Ask the doctors for all your medical records from the day you started your treatment. You want to ask for the records as soon as possible to avoid them from tampering with anything.
2. Do not contact the hospital
After suspecting medical malpractice, you should never make the mistake of confronting the hospital first. Yes, you might be all heated up and angry about what they did to you but do not confront them just yet. Remember, the hospital will always work to protect its image and reputation. As such, they will do anything it takes to ensure that they are not held liable for such cases. Some may even go ahead and tamper with your records after confronting them, leaving you with no evidence of the malpractice. It would be best to seek a second opinion from another doctor as they are in a position to identify if indeed it was medical malpractice. Moreover, you should prioritize getting the right treatment before handling the case, as your health is more important than the lawsuit.
3. Hire a reputable medical malpractice lawyer
The next thing that you need to do is to find a reputable medical malpractice lawyer. The right lawyer will be able to take your case up and deal with the hospital directly. Note that you need to find a medical malpractice lawyer fast as there are statutes of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits. Ensure that the attorney you choose has enough experience, has some knowledge on medical issues, and has a high success rate.
4. Avoid talking about your case
After dealing with an injury due to the doctor’s negligence, you may feel a strong urge to vent about it everywhere, but be careful. You cannot trust everyone with the information you have about your experience as they may use your words against you in court. If need be, talk to your close family members, your therapist, and your lawyer. Also, do not go online on social media platforms and write about your experience while the case is still in court.
Take Away
If you suspect that your doctors were negligent while treating you, then you have every right to sue them. Have the tips mentioned above in mind as they will help you a great deal with dealing with the case. So much so, be sure to work with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who will guide you and represent you in court.
