In the United States, medical malpractice is the cause of over 250,000 deaths. Medical malpractice cases add up to around $3 billion per year. If you suffered injuries due to negligence by a medical professional, you may be entitled to compensation.
Should You Suspect Medical Malpractice?
If you suffered an illness or an injury because of medical treatment, there is a chance that you have a medical malpractice claim. If your doctor refused to warn you of the risks of your procedure or if you did not consent to treatment, you may have a case.
Examples of medical malpractice include lack of informed consent and extraordinary circumstances. In extraordinary circumstances, a surgeon may leave a tool or gauze in the surgical site or a doctor may prescribe you medication that you are allergic to.
What Steps Should You Take?
If you suspect that you were the victim of medical malpractice, you need to act quickly. Your health needs to take priority, of course. Set up an appointment with a different doctor as soon as you can to correct any mistakes that were made. The odds are, the doctor will review your medical records and diagnose you. Your new doctor’s goals will generally be to treat the injuries or illness that your other physician caused.
Once you’ve seen a doctor, you need to request copies of all of your medical records. Medical records serve as evidence in a medical malpractice case. You should request the records before you file your claim, just in case your healthcare provider tries to alter your information. While it would be illegal for a professional to alter your records, some physicians try to do so to stay out of trouble.
Should You Hire an Attorney?
Medical malpractice cases can be complicated. Doctors and other medical professionals generally have their own lawyers who will do their best to debunk your claim. A medical malpractice attorney has the experience necessary to build your defense and to negotiate your settlement. If you cannot settle but have a strong case, the attorney will have the experience necessary to bring your case to trial.
When it comes to medical malpractice, if you have an injury or illness that didn’t exist prior to your treatment and that you can connect to the treatment, you may be entitled to compensation. To build your case, a lawyer can be invaluable. Consult with a lawyer, like a medical malpractice lawyer in Indianapolis, IN from Ward & Ward Law Firm, as soon as possible.