MOST OF US AREN’T DOCTORS.

It’s why we count on physicians and other healthcare professionals to tell us what’s wrong and to fix what ails us. We rely on their education, training, experience, and judgment to help us heal. For the same reasons we may not know how to diagnose or treat an illness or injury, we also may not know when a doctor makes an avoidable error when we’re in their care. After all, medical science, for all its advancements, can’t always resolve every issue. Not every bad outcome means that someone made a mistake or committed an act of medical malpractice.

But medical errors happen. A lot. They are the third leading cause of death in the United States, claiming an estimated 250,000 to 400,000 lives each year. So, if things don’t go as planned, your condition worsens, you must undergo additional procedures, or you otherwise suffer under a doctor’s care, it isn’t unreasonable to suspect that something may have gone wrong.

If you suspect that a medical mistake by a doctor or other healthcare professional is the source of your ills or those of someone you love, it can be an anxious and confusing time. You don’t necessarily want to accuse someone of making a catastrophic mistake when you’re not sure what, if anything, happened. But you also should not have to live with the aftermath of a preventable and inexcusable error without compensation for your losses.

You can take steps that will help you understand what occurred and position yourself to obtain compensation if you are, in fact, a victim of medical malpractice.

HERE ARE THE THREE THINGS YOU SHOLD DO IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR DOCTOR MADE A MISTAKE.

1.  Share your concerns with your doctor.

The problems caused by a medical mistake can be extremely painful and may require immediate treatment to prevent an already bad situation from getting worse. Tell your doctor what you are experiencing and why you feel that a mistake may have been made. They may be willing and able to correct the issue. But if your condition requires extensive rehabilitation, additional surgeries, cannot be remedied, or if your physician is uncooperative, I encourage to take the next step.

2.  Contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer promptly.

If you believe you suffered adverse health consequences or an injury at the hands of a doctor or in a hospital, it is critical that you speak to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.

The medical knowledge, testimony, and evidence required to prove that your doctor violated their legal duty, and that the breach of the standard of care caused your claimed injury, can be extremely complex and challenging. The legal hurdles that you must overcome to obtain compensation can be equally daunting. Pursuing a medical malpractice claim is simply not something you should attempt on your own.

Additionally, time is of the essence. If you wait too long to retain an attorney and file a claim, you could lose your right to obtain compensation altogether. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can begin their investigation, and the sooner they can move to protect vital evidence and testimony that could prove key to your claims.

3.  Document and keep track of your condition, care, and costs.

In every medical malpractice case, a plaintiff must prove the nature and the amount of damages and losses they suffered due to the medical error. These damages can include “economic damages” such as medical bills, lost wages, and other losses that are relatively simple to calculate objectively. But medical malpractice victims may also be entitled to recover damages that are just as real but can be more challenging to prove. These include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of support and companionship, and the day-to-day hurdles the victim faces due to their condition.

That is why you should carefully keep track of all expenses, all doctor’s visits, procedures, medications, and other aspects of your treatment and recovery. Keep a diary or journal reflecting your pain and experiences so you and your loved ones can testify – often months or years later – about these “non-economic” losses, which can be the basis of an award of substantial compensation.

If you think your doctor made a mistake, contact me today for a free consultation.

As a medical malpractice attorney, I understand the pain, struggle, and emotions involved after suffering from a medical mistake. I am committed to discovering the truth and helping my clients get the resources that can help them recover and get their lives back.

It will be a pleasure to hear from you at 816.931.1400.