When we fall ill, we put our lives and wellbeing in the hands of medical professionals to receive treatment and care for our injuries. Unfortunately, there are instances where medical professionals fail to deliver the right treatment, with 10% of deaths in the country being caused by medical errors.
Whether you’re fighting on behalf of a loved one, or you have received a life-long injury that you believe could’ve been avoided, here are five things you must do if you suspect medical malpractice.
1. Find Another Doctor
If you believe you’re a victim of medical malpractice, your health and wellbeing should be your top priority. Should the doctor who has treated you make an error, you must find another medical professional as quickly as possible to rectify the medical mistake. Once the second doctor has reviewed your records and performed the relevant tests, they can start treatment to get you back on track and undo any damage sustained by the first doctor.
2. Obtain Medical Records
No matter what has happened to you in the hands of a doctor, you must obtain a copy of your medical records. When navigating through a medical malpractice case, they will act as evidence and strengthen your claim. Your medical records will outline information associated with your injuries and what symptoms you have been experiencing. Any medications you have been prescribed and tests performed will also be present in your medical records.
3. Keep Note of Your Injuries
If you believe you’ve received insufficient care from a medical professional, you may wish to start a journal that will allow you to write down any notes on your health. If you are in immense pain and discomfort, you must write down your symptoms and how the medical error has negatively affected your day-to-day life. In some instances, people have to take time off work or leave their job entirely as a result of their injuries. Try and stay consistent when writing in your journal, as it can also serve as evidence in your case.
4. Find an Attorney
You must find a medical malpractice attorney in your area who can take on your case and help you get justice and compensation for what has happened. Your medical malpractice lawyer must be excellent at communicating with you from start to finish, so you know how your case is going. Your lawyer will use their knowledge and expertise to ensure you have the best shot at winning your case. Understanding malpractice cases is a must, so you need to pick a lawyer who has dealt with cases similar to yours.
5. Look After Your Health
The experience you’ve been through can take its toll on your health and wellbeing. Whether you’ve sustained minor or major injuries as a result of medical malpractice, you need to put your health first and foremost during your case. There are several things you can do to keep you on track during your case, including getting plenty of sleep, eating well, and factoring in plenty of rest.
Being a victim of medical malpractice can have devastating long-lasting consequences to your health and wellbeing. This means that you must follow the guide above and put all the steps into action to ensure you get justice and compensation for your injuries.