According to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, more than 250,000 deaths occur every year in the United States because of medical errors. This accounts for 10% of all US deaths and is the third highest cause of death today. Medical malpractice happens when an individual is harmed or injured by a doctor who neglects to provide appropriate treatment, disregards taking appropriate action, or when the doctor deviates from professional standards. The most common types of medical malpractice cases include misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, failure to treat, surgical errors, birth injury, and medical product liability.
A medical malpractice case is oftentimes very lengthy, complicated, and taxing on an individual. Seeking professional advice can help you determine if you have a case. Medical malpractice is a frequent occurrence and because of this, it’s important to understand what you should do if you or a loved one ever fall victim. The medical malpractice lawyers of Spector Injury & Accident Lawyers are sharing 5 steps to take if you’ve been involved in a medical malpractice claim.
Switch Doctors
Your health should always be your number one priority, so if you believe you are a victim of medical negligence, the first step you should take is to find another doctor as soon as possible. Your new doctor can take the necessary steps to make sure your condition doesn’t worsen and continue to provide you with vital treatment to undo the damages caused by your initial doctor.
Obtain Medical Records
Next, it’s important to request your medical records from your previous provider. Your medical records provide a detailed summary of your medical history, with all known treatments, medications, and lab results. Obtaining your medical records plays a crucial role in your medical malpractice case and without this information, it will be extremely hard to win your case. Obtain your records before filing your claim to use them as proof of your doctor’s negligence.
Document Everything in a Journal
Keeping a journal of your health can be useful if you believe you’re a victim of medical malpractice. Record symptoms, thoughts, and feelings to document your experience. It’s important to address mental and physical symptoms and explain how the medical error has impacted your life. Regularly writing detailed daily entries can serve as a vital tool in your medical malpractice claim, aiding in the recovery of essential compensation.
Contact an Attorney
Working with a medical malpractice attorney can help you accurately represent yourself in a claim. Schedule a consultation with multiple firms to ensure they are a good fit for your case. Provide all the evidence you have gathered thus far, including your medical records, journal entries, and any other documentation. Make sure you are as detailed as possible. At this point, your attorney will have enough information to build a case. This is a difficult time and you shouldn’t have to go through it alone. The experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Spector Injury & Accident Lawyers can provide insight and are here to fight for your justice, rights, and fair compensation.
Avoid Speaking with Other Parties
Medical malpractice cases often take months or even years to resolve. It’s important to not discuss the details of your case with anyone. From this point forward, your attorney will act as your main point of contact. You should avoid speaking with the doctor or facility that caused you harm and refrain from using social media to speak about your case. Authorities can hold anything you say about your case against you and use it as evidence.
If you suspect that medical malpractice by your doctor has caused your injury, reach out to the lawyers at Spector Injury & Accident Lawyers today. Our attorneys, experienced in all aspects of medical malpractice claims, will diligently collect and investigate evidence to support you in your time of need
