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    What to consider if you’ve been wronged by a medical doctor

    No one is perfect, no matter how much they try. Every once in a while, people make mistakes. Just like you, your medical practitioner is a person and he or she can make mistakes from time to time. But his or her error shouldn’t cause harm to anyone.

    If your doctor’s mistake causes you, your family or friends harm, he or she is liable. Medical malpractice can harm a patient in many ways, including physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally. You may be feeling confused, but equipping yourself with knowledge is very important. To aid you, here are the things you can consider if you’ve been wronged by a medical practice.

    Gather evidence and find witnesses

    Make sure you find witnesses and gather any possible pieces of evidence to help back up your claim. Make sure that you:

    • Collect pictures of injured body parts before and after the incident
    • Gather video footage of your operation (if you’ve had one)
    • Keep medical items such as prescriptions, records, and bills
    • Gather the contact information of any witnesses
    • Ask if witnesses are willing to give an official statement

    Get a second opinion

    It should be your primary concern to ensure that you’re safe and healthy. If you’re having doubts about your doctor, seek a second opinion. If you’re going to see another doctor, make sure to:

    • Make him/her understand your medical condition before, during, and after the incident
    • Give him/her your complete medical information and history
    • Ensure that he/she is from the same field as your other medical practitioner
    • Examine his/her credentials

    Doctor

    Take time to understand what happened

    It can be difficult to try to pinpoint a medical error, but taking time to understand probable medical mistakes that you were subjected to is very important. If you do this, you’ll be equipped and prepared when you want to file a report. Learn the different categories of medical malpractice:

    Doctor’s error: No damage to the patient

    This occurs when your medical practitioner makes an error, but his/her mistake is discovered before you endure any lasting or severe damage. The lack of injuries does not mean that your medical practitioner did not commit an error. It means that his/her mistake can’t be deemed as medical malpractice because you don’t have any lasting injury.

    Doctor’s error: Injury is small

    This category includes when your medical practitioner has incorrectly identified your injury but immediately amends his/her error. You can’t file a case against him/her since you didn’t suffer any severe injuries and he/she instantly ensured that any problem was fixed.

    Doctor’s error: Serious damage

    This category includes when your medical practitioner is neglectful when he/she gave you a diagnosis or when he/she gave your wrong medication, but the error didn’t make you suffer severe damage.

    Doctor’s accountability: Your damages are minor

    This category includes when your damages are small, but you still file a suit against your medical practitioner as a matter of principle, not for financial recovery.

    Doctor’s accountability: Your damages

    This category includes when your medical practitioner’s mistake causes you severe damages and injuries. Usually, the case ends in favorable terms to the victim.

    Make sure to file a report

    Each state has specifics on their process of how to file a complaint against a healthcare provider. The process is complicated, but that shouldn’t prevent you from filing a complaint. Your claim may help prompt other people who’ve been victimized by your doctor. It could also help alert patients who run the risk of being hurt in the future. Your protest may save possible victims and give people the bravery to tell their story.

    You should also never forget that even after filing a report, you  might not have a lawsuit. If you’re planning to file a lawsuit against your healthcare provider, get in touch with a medical malpractice lawyer, especially if your medical practitioner’s actions can be considered a felony.

    [su_note note_color=”#efefef”]Also read: Affordable Healthcare in India : A Myth?[/su_note]

    Consult a lawyer

    Some people think that talking to a lawyer is unnecessary for medical malpractice incidents.

    Even if you think your damages are minor or significant, it’s still important for you to talk with a lawyer. Hiring a lawyer such as ones here will help and guide you if you want to file a suit against your negligent medical practitioner.

    Do whatever you can stop medical malpractice from occurring again

    If your doctor has been negligent you should do everything possible to stop this from happening again. This may seem difficult for you to do, but equipping yourself with the necessary knowledge will help.

    Remember to:

    • Collect evidence and look for witnesses.
    • Get checked by another doctor.
    • Recognize your injuries.
    • File a report.
    • Hire a lawyer.

    Remember these things, and together with the help of a reliable lawyer, they will enable you to be compensated by your negligent medical practitioner.

    [su_note note_color=”#efefef”]Also read: 12 Tips to consider before hiring a home healthcare for seniors[/su_note]

    Dianna Charles
    Dianna Charles
    Dianna Charles is a promising young law enthusiast that hopes to bring her youthful spirit in her field. She tries to add a refreshing modern take to topics on the legal world that people can learn from. Dianna enjoys her free time with friends and family, and loves to cook for them.

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