Imagine having an appointment with your physician and being told that you need to have your knee operated on to preserve your mobility. After getting over the news, talking to your family, getting medical clearance, and taking time off from work, you go to the hospital so that your knee operation can take place. It will be at least a few hours before you fully wake up and communicate with the hospital staff. Upon realizing that the wrong knee has been operated on, you may literally feel as if time has stopped.
Medical negligence occurs in countries like the US where healthcare is privatized, as well as in European nations where public healthcare picks up most costs. Consummate health law professionals who have degrees from Hofstra Law usually advise their clients to immediately get second opinions if they believe medical negligence has taken place. These three steps are vital for proving medical negligence and getting supportive medical care in the future
1. Tell Your Doctor That You Know Something Is Wrong
Your doctor’s response might be impersonal or even cold after you bring your concerns forward. You’ll have to wait until you are discharged and deal with the emotional pain that comes with knowing that you have been medically neglected. Look at all documentation that is given to you by the medical facility to ensure that you are not signing away your rights to file a legal claim. When doctors know that they are liable for medical negligence claims, they might work to protect themselves before fully considering the concerns of their patients first.
2. Locate a Healthcare Law Professional
Since medical negligence is very often obvious, when a botched medical procedure takes place you should get the opinion of a legal expert who has a focus on healthcare. Lawyers with a masters in health policy can use state law to get you compensation for future operations that you may have trouble affording. An attorney might also be able to work with your health insurance company to submit the documentation necessary for paying for a corrective treatment. Consider that medical insurance companies can become confused when policyholders request to have the same operation twice. If you live in Europe, you may need a solicitor to reach out and help make sense of your medical negligence issue.
3. Have Your Medical Issue Resolved and Documented
Nations in Europe and the US have centralized medical documentation systems that are accessible online. When you go to a new doctor after experiencing medical negligence, your claim becomes official in your medical records. It is like having a time and date stamped transcript of your experience put on file where it cannot be changed or tampered with. If you have concerns about your current doctor and whether or not your suspicion of negligence being taken seriously, go to a different doctor who will make proper notes in your medical records.
Gross medical negligence may leave you with both physical and emotional scars that only time can assist in healing. Medical experts are trained to treat their patients with care and empathy, and they also need to own up at once to mistakes that they make. Don’t become depressed if you are a victim of medical negligence – make sure your claims are heard and seek a legal remedy.
