(Newswire.net — June 30, 2023) — We place much faith in the healthcare professionals whose sworn oath is to do no harm. We approach them with our ailments and most of the time, our condition improves. However, medical mishaps do occur. But what should you do if you suspect you’ve been the victim of medical negligence?
If you suspect your medical expert of medical malpractice, don’t hesitate to get legal advice. The road to receiving compensation can be a long one and can only be appropriately navigated with the help of those professionals that have traveled it before.
Key Steps to Take When You Suspect Medical Negligence
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional’s negligence harms a patient. This can take place in an examination room, during surgery or another medical procedure, or even at the pharmacy. Misdiagnosis, surgery slip-ups, and prescription errors can all fall under the umbrella of medical malpractice.
Florida’s Medical Malpractice Act states that the plaintiff must prove that a medical expert did not provide the level of care and directly caused injury to the patient. This requires proving a breach of the standard of care and also causation, meaning that this breach is directly responsible for your injury.
Get a Second Opinion
If you feel you’ve been the victim of a medical injury, get a second opinion. In fact, to win a medical malpractice lawsuit, you’ll be required to submit records from a similarly trained medical professional who states that your injury or condition was caused by a breach of standard care.
Request Your Medical Records
As a patient, you have a legal right to have all of your medical records. You’ll need these important documents to prove your case. Medical records will include your symptoms, prognosis, any tests or procedures performed, and any prescribed medications. Although it’s against the law to falsify records, an unscrupulous healthcare professional could do so to try and hide their liability. Copies of your medical records would uncover this crime.
Document Everything
If you suspect you’ve been the victim of a medical mistake, it’s important to document everything. Never leave anything up to your memory. Keep a journal of all doctor’s visits, procedures, and anything they’ve told you during visits. It can also be beneficial to write down any new symptoms or conditions you’re experiencing. This can help to establish a timeline of new developing problems. Also, include any time off from work for medical appointments.
Avoid Social Media
In today’s world of social media, it can almost be too natural to want to document your condition by making frequent posts to your socials. This should be avoided, as it can be used against you by the defendant’s savvy lawyers. It can be difficult to prove that a medical mistake has severely affected your life when your social media posts present a much different picture.
It’s also crucial to not discuss your condition with anyone except your family or your legal team. If approached by medical staff or worse yet, an insurance company, you are under no obligation to answer their questions.
Hire a Lawyer
Filing a successful medical malpractice suit should never be attempted by the victim. Personal injury lawsuits have many different nuances and requirements that only a seasoned personal injury lawyer can successfully navigate. When meeting with a lawyer, give them all the details of your original diagnosis and what makes you feel that a mistake was made.