Victim of Medical Malpractice? Follow These Steps Right Away

As we’ve discussed in the past, medical malpractice is a serious, growing problem throughout the United States. Just as a reminder, medical malpractice or negligence is the third leading cause of death in the United States. This statistic alone highlights just how out of hand this problem has gotten. There are many different instances that can occur resulting in medical malpractice, but these types of cases are typically sought when someone has been harmed, injured, or worse because of inadequate medical treatment or diagnosis from a medical professional. While it is surely never the intention of doctors, nurses or other medical providers to cause injury or death, mistakes are made every single day, many of which are avoidable.

When a healthcare provider fails to provide adequate and proper medical care or does not act within reason, resulting in harm to the patient, that patient may be able to sue for medical malpractice or negligence. Making the decision to pursue a medical malpractice case is never an easy one, as there are numerous different loopholes and parties involved that could make this a very long, drawn out process. This is precisely why it is important that anyone who is the victim of medical malpractice understands their rights and what steps should be taken following an incident of malpractice or wrongdoing. Furthermore, these types of personal injury cases can be quite taxing and emotionally draining on all parties involved. With this in mind, let’s look at the steps that should be taken immediately following a medical malpractice incident in Dallas:

• Ask for a copy of your medical records. If you believe that some type of malpractice or negligence has occurred at the hand of your doctor, nurse, or other medical professional, one of the first things you should do is obtain a copy of your medical records. In doing so you will be able to prevent anyone from altering your records and making your claim invalid. If others are aware of the malpractice, they may try to prevent you from securing your medical records, but it is your right to have them.

• Seek medical attention from a different provider. Depending on the scenario, you may still require medical attention following an incident of medical malpractice. As your health and wellness are of the utmost importance, it is important that you switch medical providers immediately and continue to receive care. In some instances a victim of medical malpractice may require medical attention because of actions taken by your previous doctor. In any medical malpractice case, it is important that you seek treatment and take care of yourself.

• Make note of your injuries and the incident. Regardless of how hard we try, memories fade and it can be difficult to remember the specifics of a medical malpractice incident. In many cases, medical malpractice lawsuits can take years to resolve. This is why it is a good idea to keep a journal or notebook detailing your incident, injuries, and any other notes that may help your case.

• Retain the services of a personal injury attorney. Medical malpractice cases often involve major hospitals, medical groups, and rich doctors who will try to do everything they can to prevent your case from going public. Because of this, it is absolutely imperative that you have a knowledgeable and experienced medical malpractice attorney by your side.

To learn more about medical malpractice claims in Dallas, please contact Rad Law Firm today. We are here to answer any questions you may have and ensure justice is served.