Medical negligence can be defined as any instance in which a patient is not given the level of care that they are entitled to by law. This can include everything from providing inadequate treatment to causing further injury through careless mistakes. Unfortunately, medical negligence is all too common in the United States.
Patients are often unable to hold their doctors and hospitals accountable for their actions.
To have a successful case, you must be able to prove that the doctor in question acted recklessly or with intent to harm. This can be extremely difficult to do, which is why it’s important to have an experienced medical malpractice attorney on your side.
Getting Copies of Medical Records
The first step is to request copies of your medical records from the hospital or doctor’s office that has treated you. This will give you a clear picture of the care that you received and will help to identify any potential errors that were made.
It’s important to note that hospitals and doctor’s offices are not required to give you your records for free. In most cases, you will be charged a small fee for the copies.
On the other hand, if you have a legal representative, they will be able to obtain the records for you. If in this area, make sure to hire a medical malpractice lawyer in Glendale that offers free consultations, will explain everything in easy-to-understand language, and is always available to answer your questions. Malpractice attorneys will need to review your medical records to find out if you have a case.
Consulting a Medical Malpractice Attorney
The second step is to consult with a medical malpractice attorney. An attorney will be able to review your records and determine if you have a valid case. If you do, they will also be able to advise you on the best way to proceed. As such, you must find an attorney who has experience handling these types of cases.
Also, many medical malpractice attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that they don’t get paid unless you win your case. As such, they will have a vested interest in ensuring that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
On the other hand, as this matter is of grave importance, don’t hesitate to contact a few different attorneys to get quotes and compare services. You should also ask any questions that you have and make sure that you feel comfortable with the attorney that you choose.
Filing a Complaint with the Medical Board
If you believe that you or your loved one has been the victim of medical negligence, the next step is to file a complaint with your state’s medical board. The board will then investigate your claim and decide whether or not there is enough evidence to take action against the doctor in question.
It’s important to note that the medical board will not take immediate action against the doctor. In most cases, it will take several months for them to complete their investigation.
In some cases, the medical board may decide that there was no wrongdoing on the part of the doctor. If this is the case, you have the option to file a civil lawsuit against the doctor. A civil lawsuit will allow you to receive compensation for your damages, which can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Filing a Lawsuit
If you decide to file a civil lawsuit, you will need to do so within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the time frame in which you have to file a lawsuit. If you don’t file within this time frame, you will be unable to receive compensation for your injuries. In most cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you didn’t discover the injury until later, you may have more time to file.
It’s important to note that filing a lawsuit is a complicated process. As such, it’s important to have an attorney who can guide you through the process.
If you are successful in your lawsuit, you will receive a monetary award. This award is meant to compensate you for your injuries. The amount that you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the amount of evidence that is presented in court.
The medical field requires a lot of training and experience. In the event you or someone close to you has been harmed by negligent care, it’s important to know your legal rights to receive compensation for damages incurred.