If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, it can be hard to know where to turn. In fact, it can be hard to know for certain that you actually were the victim of malpractice in the first place. This is one of the most important times to consult a legal professional, as they will be able to lead you down the right path to fight for your rights. To prevent confusion during this difficult time in your life, here are some things to do after the incident.
Make sure to document everything
Medical malpractice cases are quite complex, and you will need to provide injury law firms with a lot of documents. Your healing process may be ongoing even as you reach out to lawyers, so make sure to document every single thing you have related to the case — your medical bills, proof of doctor appointments, any correspondence with your medical team, and insurance invoices to name a few. When in doubt, document it. You never know when even the smallest bit of information can be helpful!
Request a complete copy of your medical history
During your medical malpractice case, your lawyer will need to prove that the injury you sustained was truly caused by the neglect or misbehavior of a doctor. Often, healthcare lawyers will try to prove that your injury was either unrelated or a preexisting condition. Because of this, many courts will require that you prove your health history, so contact your doctor and insurance company for any information that will prove you were in good health before the incident.
Ask questions
At the end of the day, your lawyer is there to help you. If you don’t feel comfortable, you are completely free to choose other law firms that make you feel in the know during the process. There will be a lot of legal jargon involved with any medical malpractice case, and it’s in your best interest to understand and participate in these conversations.
Medical malpractice cases are a common type of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. In total, civil lawsuits like these cost the U.S. economy $239 billion every year. If you are a victim of medical malpractice and don’t know where to turn, contact personal injury law firms near you as soon as possible.