When you go to the doctor, it’s probably because you need medical treatment, are worried about your health, or want to take preventative measures to ensure your future health. However, when medical malpractice occurs, this can put extra stress on the already suffering patient.
Patients trust that their medical providers will act within the standard of care that they are legally supposed to uphold. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. While most medical providers do their jobs with good intentions, much more is on the line when they make mistakes.
We offer some ways to protect yourself from the negligence of medical professionals to ensure you are treated with the standard of care that you are entitled to receive and absolutely deserve.
Ask Questions
Some patients feel like they have no right or authority to ask their doctors questions regarding their own symptoms, diagnosis, or treatment plan. When it comes to your health and safety, you have the right to understand the answers to these questions. What is your diagnosis? What does this mean? How did your doctor diagnose you? What is your treatment plan? What will this mean moving forward?
Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to fully understand what your medical provider is explaining to you. This will show that you actually care about having answers to your questions.
Get Everything in Writing
Documentation is extremely important when it comes to ensuring you receive proper medical care. This will help ensure that your doctor or medical provider is being transparent about your treatments. Sometimes, a medical provider may neglect to inform you of something regarding your condition. Ensure that what your doctor told you verbally is the same as what is written down on paper.
Do Your Research
While your medical provider should know everything about your health, a simple mistake on their part can be detrimental to your health and safety. You don’t have to take your doctor’s word for it. You know yourself more than anyone. Go online and research what the doctor told you, using reputable sources to double-check what your doctor said. Take note of anything you find important, interesting, or surprising. You can show your doctor later on and ask for clarification if there is anything that is not adding up.
Tell-Tale Signs of Malpractice
Some things are out of our control, even when we take all the actions we can to prevent ourselves from becoming victims of negligence. You can take all the above steps and still become a victim of medical malpractice. Some signs of malpractice could include:
- Poor communication. Your doctor should be able to answer each question regarding your symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Non-standard care. You may not know everything about medical treatment that a doctor should, but you have probably been to the doctor before and may be able to tell if some treatment is new or off to you.
- Delayed diagnosis. If you have to go back to the doctor multiple times or if you are diagnosed incorrectly multiple times, it could point to malpractice.
- Your condition does not improve. You should be healing within the time period that your doctor originally gave you.
Protecting Your Rights to Compensation
Unfortunately, patients can’t always take precautions to ensure that their medical provider provides them with the standard of care that they should. In the event that you are injured due to malpractice or negligence, remember that you have rights moving forward.
Our medical malpractice attorneys are committed to holding negligent medical providers accountable and helping injured patients heal. We will determine whether a medical provider’s negligent actions caused your injuries and work to pursue compensation on your behalf.
The time to act is now. Contact Berthold Law Firm at (304) 605-2040 for help pursuing your medical malpractice claim.