The Steps You Should Take If You Suspect Medical Malpractice

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The Steps You Should Take If You Suspect Medical Malpractice
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According to a study done by John Hopkins University researchers, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. About 250,000 people succumb to medical malpractices yearly while 150,000 sustain life-threatening injuries. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional commits medical negligence. This happens when the accepted standard care used by the other medical professionals is violated. 

It is important to note that medical malpractice comes in multiple forms. It could be a medicine prescription error, failure to diagnose correctly, birth injuries, or even surgical errors, etc. If you suspect that you are a victim, then here are the critical steps you should take to protect your rights. 

What to do if you suspect Medical Malpractice

Seek an alternative medical opinion

As a patient, you have an absolute right to quality healthcare. That is why you should not compromise the standards of the medical care you get. If you notice a case of incorrect diagnosis, you should take it up to yourself to seek a second opinion from another qualified doctor. 

It is important to remember that your doctor is not infallible, and there are chances of misdiagnosis. This could be due to a lack of thorough exam or condition-specific testing. Consulting a different medical doctor and getting a second opinion will serve to prove that the other doctor should have been in a position to diagnose the illness correctly. 

Misdiagnosis could also be caused by negligence by laboratory attendants. If they submit flawed test results to the doctor who is not keen to recheck, you may be treated for the wrong disease. If you can prove the misdiagnosis, you may have a case against the practitioner. 

Get a copy of your medical assessment documents

It is also essential to have a copy of all your medical records with you. The medical records contain information on your diagnosis. That is, things like the doctor's examination, the laboratory tests recommended, the results recorded, and the medicine prescribed etc. This information will be necessary for comparison as well. Again, this can prove beyond any reasonable doubt that indeed you had been misdiagnosed. 

Track your condition in a wellness journal

Keeping track of your health history will help show that you are an informed patient, plus it will help your case. From the moment you realize signs of misdiagnosis, it is essential to keep track of actions and events that follow.

Use a journal where keeps tabs on things like adverse effects of drugs prescribed, persistent symptoms, change in body temperature, and any injuries noted, etc. Recording detailed entries in your health journal will come in handy during the investigations for medical malpractice. It will help trace the negative impact of the misdiagnosis, and hence, you can have a strong case against the party at fault.

Get in touch with a malpractice attorney

Once you have established fault, you certainly deserve justice. You will need to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer to help file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Having a skilled medical malpractice attorney on your side improves your chances of winning the case. The lawyer will review the case details to gather the needed information in a bid to build a strong case. 

It is essential to find a lawyer who will help determine if your case is actionable. A good medical malpractice attorney advises appropriately and pretty much takes over the legal side of your quest for justice. This will allow you time to recuperate without worrying about court appearances.

Avoid mistakes that might hurt your case

You should also play your part in the case and avoid costly mistakes. You should try as much as possible to keep away from the case matters and let your attorney handle it. You should avoid discussing the dynamics of the case in public as briefed by your lawyer, as that information may reach the defendant. In other words, it may compromise the chances of winning your claim.

The appropriate thing to do is to allow your attorney to carry on with the case and take the appropriate action. The defendant's side will likely come seeking an out-of-court settlement. It is advisable not to engage them without the full knowledge of your lawyer, as that may also compromise the case. 

Wrap up

In a nutshell, your wealth is your health. That is why you should make every effort to defend it. If you suspect medical malpractice, then take quick action to protect your rights. Ensure to follow the tips we have covered. More importantly, speak to a medical malpractice attorney for help with your case. 

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