Do You Suspect a Hospital Error? Here’s What to Do

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Do You Suspect a Hospital Error? Here’s What to Do

Going to the hospital is almost always an unpleasant experience, even when medical personnel are extremely competent, compassionate, and supportive. But sometimes, the experience is made even worse because of a critical error that worsens your condition or leaves you with debilitating complications.

Unfortunately, many people don’t know how common hospital errors are, and they don’t know how to handle one if they’re ever on the receiving end. What exactly are you supposed to do if you suspect a hospital error?

Know Your Options

If a hospital official (or the institution itself) makes an unreasonable error that results in damages, you may be entitled to compensation for those damages. A medical malpractice lawyer can help you determine whether this is the case – and build a strong case so you can negotiate a settlement. However, it’s your responsibility to identify the suspected error in question and bring it to the attention of a lawyer with expertise in the subject.

There are many types of hospital errors that are potentially compensable. You may be entitled to compensation if you were misdiagnosed, if you were prescribed improper treatment, if you were the victim of a surgical error, or a number of other conditions. What’s important is that the error was significant enough that a reasonable medical professional would find it unacceptable and that the error resulted in significant damages.

If you’re successful in your claim, you’ll likely be able to negotiate a settlement that compensates you fairly for any damages you sustained. This would include not only additional medical expenses you incurred, but also lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.

How do you make sure you can win this type of compensation?

Stay Calm

First, remain calm. Dealing with a hospital error may cause you additional pain and suffering, and will almost certainly be stressful and unnerving. If you maintain a clear head and stable emotions, you’ll be in a much better position to make rational decisions about what to do next.

Gather Information

Chances are, you aren’t a medical expert, so it’s important for you to gather some information before you move forward with your claim. Your lawyer can help you with this as well, but you can start the process on your own.

·       Records. Get access to your medical records, including records of your past appointments and any payments you’ve made. Pay close attention to any written details that can support your case.

·       Online information. Our abundant online health information isn’t always a good thing. It can lead people to falsely diagnose themselves or choose lifestyle habits based on bad information. However, it may be able to help you determine whether what you experienced was a genuine hospital error. If there’s significant information that leads you to doubt the competence or reliability of your medical professionals, it should strengthen your resolve.

·       Your memory. As early as possible, write down everything you can remember about your experiences with hospital staff. Were you told anything different than what’s on your chart? Do you remember having strange interactions or asking questions that were not addressed?

Don’t Reveal Your Intentions or Suspicions

Throughout this process, make sure you don’t reveal your intentions or suspicions to the hospital responsible for the error. In this forthcoming legal battle, you can maintain a competitive edge for as long as you can delay their preparations.

Get a Second Opinion

Medical second opinions are not only common, but often encouraged, even if you don’t suspect an unreasonable error. Accordingly, you should visit with other medical professionals and see what they think about what you experienced. If multiple other medical professionals believe that your misdiagnosis or other experience was a result of malpractice, your case will be much stronger.

Talk to a Lawyer

Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible about your potential medical malpractice claim. Your medical malpractice lawyer will be able to guide you on next steps, help you collect evidence, and formally make a claim against the hospital.

Remain Patient

Keep in mind that negotiating for a medical malpractice settlement can take a long time. If you can’t reach a mutually agreeable settlement, the case may go to trial, which can make the case take years longer. It’s important to remain as patient as possible throughout this practice, as it will put you in a superior negotiating position and help you deal with the stresses along the way.

Dealing with a medical malpractice incident isn’t easy, especially if it causes you direct pain and suffering. But with the help of a good medical malpractice lawyer, ample forethought, and a bit of preparation, you can put yourself in a better position to negotiate for a favorable settlement.