Medical malpractice is a serious problem in the United States. In fact, according to a study by Johns Hopkins University, as many as 1 out of 3 doctors have made a medical mistake that could be considered malpractice. The good news is that there are things you can do after suffering from medical malpractice to protect yourself and make sure your rights are protected. Let’s jump straight to the list.
Report the Incident
After suffering medical malpractice, the first thing you should do is report the incident. This means reporting it to your doctor, the hospital, and, if necessary, the police. As highlighted by these no win no fee lawyers in Perth, it’s essential to get as much information down on paper as possible about what happened. This way, you can build a case against the person or people who caused your injury.
When reporting the incident, please ensure that you include the date and time of the incident, location, names of the individuals involved, and a full description of what happened. This would help your doctor or the hospital get an accurate picture of what occurred, which might also help them identify the error if they were not aware of it beforehand.
Seek Medical Attention
It’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the incident. This will help ensure that your injuries are properly looked at by a doctor who can determine what types of treatment you might need, including surgery or other procedures. It’s also important because medical malpractice is often not immediately obvious, which means it could take months before symptoms manifest themselves or something shows up on an x-ray or MRI.
Seeking medical attention helps document the injuries you have suffered and creates a paper trail that you can use in any potential legal case. You can do so at a different hospital or clinic than the one where you received the initial treatment.
Gather Evidence
Gathering evidence is one of the most important things you can do after suffering medical malpractice. This includes gathering any documents, records, or correspondence that show what happened during your treatment and how it impacted you. It would be best if you also tried to track down witness testimony because having other people vouch for what they saw may be enough proof in some cases.
The evidence you need to collect includes medical records, records of the incident, witness contact information, photos of your injuries, and more. It’s essential to keep this evidence safe to avoid getting damaged or lost. If possible, hand the same information to your lawyer so they can start building your case.
Contact a Lawyer
As soon as you suspect that you have suffered medical malpractice, it’s essential to contact a lawyer. They will advise you on what to do next and whether or not you have a case. Many lawyers offer free consultations, so there is no harm in meeting with them to discuss your options.
You can find a lawyer by searching online or asking friends and family for recommendations. You must meet with at least two different lawyers before selecting one, which will help give you more of an idea about who is right for the job. Lawyers are not all created equal, so make sure to consider when making your decision.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
It’s essential to follow the doctor’s orders after suffering medical malpractice. This means taking any medication they prescribe and attending all of the appointments they set for you. It might also mean returning to the hospital or clinic where you received treatment so that your doctor can keep an eye on your progress.
Skipping appointments and medication can impact your case if you do decide to file a lawsuit against the doctor who treated you, so make sure that this does not happen in any way. If, for some reason, you can’t follow these orders, then let your lawyer know about that too. They might be able to help by filing a motion that allows you to skip appointments or take the medication in different ways.
Be Aware of Claim Deadlines
Victims need to be aware of the deadlines they have when filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against those responsible for their injuries. These timeframes depend on your state and range from one year (in some states) to three years (in others).
If you do not file a lawsuit within the set timeframe, then you will likely lose your right to do so. This is something that your lawyer can help with, but you need to be aware of these deadlines nonetheless.
Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can seem daunting, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Some lawyers specialize in this type of case and will be more than happy to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after suffering an injury during treatment.
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