What should you do as a victim of medical malpractice?
Studies have suggested that nearly ten percent of all deaths in the USA happen due to medical negligence. A rough translation means that more than 250,000 people each year die due to medical malpractices. There are countless other cases where patients have to suffer serious but non-fatal injuries. It is crucial to know what to do if you become a victim of it since cases of medical errors or negligence have become so common. Here is a list of five important things that you should do in case of medical malpractice.
Change your doctor immediately
Your health has to be your first priority. So, whenever you feel that the doctor is taking the wrong steps in your treatment, it is time for you to change him. Get another doctor to treat your condition. This second doctor will review your medical history, case records, and details of previous treatment before he diagnoses you. The doctor might tell you if the previous healthcare provider was negligent or not, and start the treatment for undoing the damages left by the previous doctor.. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Get hold of the medical records
The medical records will play an important part in determining whether or not you win the claim for medical negligence. So, make sure that you get hold of all the medical records you have. The records will have all the details of your diagnosis, medical history, examinations ordered and completed, and medications. These are key bits of information you need to present in court and file a case of Vanderbilt medical malpractice.
So, for instance, a patient comes into the hospital for chest pain. His family history of heart disorders gets ignored by the doctor, and he gets diagnosed with anxiety. He later gets to know about the real condition. He now has the medical records to prove that he was misdiagnosed by the doctor.
Start having your own journal
If you want to be sure from the start about Vanderbilt medical malpractice, keep a medical journal of your own to write notes on your health conditions. Clearly state the symptoms you are feeling, and mention if you feel that any of those symptoms are due to medical negligence. You should mention the ways in which medical errors have had an impact on your life. So, for instance, you might have had to skip work for days, and that affected your paycheck. This journal is also a piece of evidence, so don’t skip out on the details.
Medical malpractices can take place even after you are extremely cautious about preventing them. So, make sure that you take the steps beforehand and stay alert about the treatment given to you by the doctor.