5 Steps to Take Right Away If You Think You Were the Victim of Medical Malpractice

December 1, 2022
doctor and patient

When doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care providers make mistakes, it’s the patients who end up suffering. And depending on the nature of the error, the consequences can be devastating.

If you think you were the victim of medical malpractice, there’s no way to erase what happened. It may be possible, however, to secure compensation.

Naturally, no amount of money will restore your health. A payout could allow you to pick up the pieces in the aftermath, though, so you can keep taking care of your family.

To give your claim the best chance of success, make sure to do the following as soon as possible:

1. Seek Care Elsewhere

The moment you have reason to believe your doctor made a mistake, head to another provider. Even if the worst of the complications are over, you should undergo a comprehensive exam conducted by a qualified professional right away.

In addition to protecting yourself and ultimately getting your health back on track, this will show the insurance adjuster that you were committed to mitigating damages from day one. This, in turn, will bolster your credibility and make it harder for the opposing party to pin a portion of the blame on you.

2. Preserve Relevant Records

Medical records are the foundation of every successful malpractice clam. Save the paperwork from every appointment moving forward, and dig up whatever records you can regarding the questionable care you received in the past.

3. Start Tracking Damages

You cannot seek compensation for any damages you cannot prove you incurred. As such, it’s imperative to start logging your losses as soon as you suspect your provider made a mistake. Save any receipts and bills that correspond to expenses you wouldn’t have incurred had you not suffered complications.

Now is also the time to start keeping a daily journal. Write about how your condition is hurting your quality of life. Down the road, you’ll be able to use these entries to demonstrate non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

4. Change Your Social Media Habits

When evaluating your claim, the insurance adjuster will probably try monitoring you online. They will be looking for cause to dispute various aspects of your case. As such, it’s wise to activate stricter privacy settings and to scrutinize every post before hitting “Publish.” If there’s even a chance the subject matter could be used against you, do not put it out there.

5. Call a Lawyer

While victims of malpractice are entitled to represent themselves, they generally have enough to worry about without having to navigate convoluted proceedings. Moreover, personal injury firms generally accept cases for a contingency fee, so claimants have nothing to lose by seeking counsel. The sooner you call an attorney, the sooner you can get your claim underway and hopefully secure the funds you deserve.

Discuss Your Case with a Medical Malpractice Attorney in South Carolina

If you want help taking action against a negligent provider or facility, look no further than Hodge & Langley Law Firm. Our tenacious team has the resources, knowledge, and experience to go up against even the largest health care institutions. Call 864-585-3873 or submit our Contact Form to schedule a free initial consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer in South Carolina.

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