Why You Need An Accident and Personal Injury Attorney

When you go to the emergency room or another health facility, you always hope to be attended to by professionals and that they will uphold the standard care procedures when treating you or a loved one. Unfortunately, there are times when mistakes happen, causing you greater harm than before. If a doctor does not follow the correct protocol when treating you, whether in diagnosis, surgery, or prescription, you can sue them or the hospital for malpractice.

Medical malpractice cases are usually a little more complex than regular injury claims because of the intricacies of the medical profession. However, with the help of a competent medical malpractice attorney, you can resolve your case. Here are the steps to follow when you suspect medical malpractice.

Get Another Doctor

Your priority should always be your health. As soon as you realize that your current doctor is not acting as they are supposed to, look for a second opinion from another doctor. Ask friends and family to recommend another practitioner in the field. Explain to them the condition, your diagnosis, and how your previous medical team has been handling it. If they raise questions, then you will know that you have a possible malpractice case.

Get a lawyer and start consulting with your new doctor on whether you have a viable case and how to file the medical malpractice claim.

Ask to Have Your Medical Records

The only way you can prove that your doctor didn't follow proper procedures during your diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up is through the medical records. The records will have details such as your symptoms, how you interacted with the doctor, and the procedure they followed throughout the treatment.

Having a medical malpractice lawyer at this stage is crucial. That's because some hospitals can deny you the necessary medical records when they realize you intend to file a lawsuit against them. At the same time, if the hospital suspects the case will cost them a lot, they might try to convince you to get an early and cheap settlement.

File the Claim

When you and your lawyer have gathered all the information needed to bring the lawsuit against the negligent doctor or hospital, the next step is to file the suit. The lawyer will help you prepare the required documents. Moreover, they will assist you to calculate the damages and determine how much to claim.

A competent lawyer will guide you through these steps until you resolve your medical negligence claim. Having them by your side makes the process a lot easier and guarantees you a better chance of obtaining fair compensation. 

Contact a law firm, such as Salerno Terrence Law Office, to find out if you have a case.