It is difficult to know what to do immediately because you do not expect it when your doctor causes you harm. Doctors are expected to operate according to the Hippocratic Oath to not harm. You expect a doctor to maintain your health and safety while you’re in their care, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Medical malpractice is when a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional provides substandard care to their patients.
Source: Weiss and SpaarzYou should consult with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you have reason to believe you’ve been injured by a medical professional.
This can include:
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Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage
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Surgical errors
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Failure to warn the patient of known procedure risks
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Failure to diagnose a medical condition
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Improper child delivery
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Defective catheters
Last year $3.6 billion was paid out in medical malpractice lawsuits in the U.S. If you believe that you’ve been injured because of a medical professional, you need to know what course of action to take to get needed compensation.
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What to Do
You should consult with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you have reason to believe you’ve been injured by a medical professional. New Hampshire law says that you have up to two years after the injury to report it (except in the case that an object was left inside you during surgery), but the sooner the better.
What to Look For in a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
When looking for a medical malpractice lawyer, look for someone who specializes in representing plaintiffs like you in medical malpractice lawsuits. If you’ve suffered a brain injury, look for a brain injury lawyer. Or you might need a failure to diagnose a lawyer. Most malpractice professionals specialize in more than one area. You can find the right lawyer for you in several ways.
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Word of mouth: Asking friends and family members is a good way to get a trustworthy referral.
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Online lawyer directories: Directories like Nolo and FindLaw are good places to start. The Internet is a helpful place to research lawyers since you can also find reviews and other indications of a lawyer’s track record.
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Bar Association: The New Hampshire Bar Association has a referral service to help you find the right lawyer.
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Other lawyers: If you have any lawyer friends or acquaintances, you could ask them for a referral. They often refer cases to one another.
What You’ll Need
You’ll need to prove four things to have a case: 1) That a doctor/patient relationship existed between you and the medical professional, 2) the doctor was negligent and provided substandard care, 3) the doctor’s negligence caused your injury, and 4) the injury lead to specific damages. Such damages can include physical pain, mental anguish, or time away from work that costs you money.
When you consult with your lawyer, you’ll eventually need to provide documentation that proves your case. Make sure you have the proper records. If you don’t, the doctor’s facility itself should provide them for you. Your lawyer will help you with anything you’re not clear about or not sure how to obtain.
Medical malpractice is serious and affects thousands of people every year. Knowing what to expect, what to do, and what to look for in medical malpractice lawyers is the first step in getting your case resolved.