Most healthcare workers do everything in their power to ensure you are healthy and know what’s going on with your body. They exercise high standards of care for each of their patients and will go the extra mile to ensure their patients are comfortable. Even when doing everything they can to do things right, mistakes can be made. If you or a loved one are the victim of medical malpractice, you might be entitled to recovery. The following are some first steps you might take.
Speak with Your Medical Professional
The first thing you should do is contact the doctor you have been working with. Maybe the situation isn’t as bad as you think it is, and there’s a simple remedy. The doctor might provide a solution free of charge. Maybe it wasn’t the doctor who made the mistake, but he or she can point you in the right direction of what to do next. There’s also a chance you’re not experiencing malpractice at all, and the symptoms you feel are perfectly normal for the care provided. A doctor can explain these things to you.
Report the Provider
If nothing changes after speaking with your medical provider, you might want to report him or her to the licensing board. The board can’t make the doctor do anything differently, but they can issue a warning. They might also be able to instruct you on what to do next and how to handle the situation.
Understand Time Limits
Every day matters when you’re facing a medical malpractice case. You have to get your claim filed within a specified amount of time called the statute of limitations. If you don’t get the claim filed on time, you could lose the right to compensation. The statute of limitations is different in every state, so you should never assume you have a certain amount of time if you’re not positive. For example, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Texas is two years, but just over the border in Louisiana, individuals only have one year to file a claim.
Obtain a Certificate of Merit
Not every state requires a certificate of merit, but many do. This is a document from another medical professional that indicates your medical claims are accurate. It needs to be filed with your claim so the court sees the case has merit.
Getting Started
This is just the beginning when it comes time to file a medical malpractice case. Contact a lawyer, like a medical malpractice lawyer in Indianapolis, IN from Ward & Ward Law Firm, for help getting started and completing the process.