What to Do If You Suspect Medical Malpractice

The death of a loved one is a saddening experience, making the grieving family members feel helpless and numb. As a family member, you are likely to be the most concerned about the reason behind the death of your loved one. This is particularly relevant to situations where negligence or malpractice at the hospital or by a doctor is suspected to be one of the contributing factors leading up to the event. If you suspect medical malpractice, here are three steps to take immediately:

1. Get Your Hands On Medical Records

Medical records and patient charts of your deceased loved one will give you insights into the condition, health fluctuations, treatment, and any other information related to their health that might help in a potential lawsuit. You must note the prominent names of healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses, surgeons, and any other hospital staff involved, including the healthcare institution from which your loved one received treatment. Some of these individuals are most likely to be the parties involved in the case. If you face difficulties obtaining such medical records, know that most states give the personal representative or guardian of the deceased a right to demand a copy of these medical records from healthcare institutions.

2. Track All the Medical Bills and Expenses

Along with the medical records that show the health conditions and treatments given to your loved ones, it is equally important to collect all the information regarding the medical expenses which occurred.

You should collect the receipts from the prescriptions for lab testing and medical checkups to gain an estimated cost of all the medical-related costs incurred during the treatment of your loved one. This information will be beneficial in calculating the monetary compensation you might be entitled to through a lawsuit. It is essential to make a file with all the medical bills received and separate those paid through insurance claims from the ones paid out of pocket.

3. Hire a Malpractice Lawyer

Handling a wrongful death that occurred due to medical malpractice is a time-sensitive issue. Some states have a time limit till which cases for medical malpractice are considered valid. Filing a medical malpractice case can be really complicated, time-taking and hiring a top medical negligence attorney can make this process much easier for you.

Most states will require you to get the help of an attorney, especially for the paperwork and defending your case in court. Hiring a professional attorney can also help ease your worries in the matter of lengthy paperwork and confirmation of documents and make your lawsuit case much stronger. Medical malpractice lawyers have years of experience in dealing with inefficient or irresponsible behavior of healthcare professions and institutions and can confirm if your suspicion is right or wrong.

Endnote

The loss of a loved one is a traumatic experience. While you and your family are grieving, filing for medical malpractice and seeking justice for the deceased loved one can be time-consuming and emotionally draining. However, suppose you can get your hands on accurate records of medical treatments given to the dead, medical billing, history of underlying medical conditions, and any other relevant information. In that case, the lengthy legal process will become easier for you and your family. Hiring an expert can help you draft a plan, file your claim and ensure a strong possibility that will help you and your family seek justice for the loss of your dearly.