How To Identify Medical Malpractice

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How To Identify Medical Malpractice

Record Keeping:

Appointment book, diary, calendar, notes, copies of records, tests and important documents must be retained.

Important Questions:

Has the doctor or other medical provider spent time with you to accurately determine your diagnosis, develop a treatment plan, and inform you of what to expect as a result? Has he or she discussed and properly explained all of your options?

Always question your medical provider when you are prescribed new medication or referred to another medical provider. The medical provider should be willing to listen to your subjective complaints of pain. The location and severity of your pain is essential to making the right call about your diagnosis and treatment.

When something doesn't seem right, it may be the doctor's failure to recognize a problem which could result in harm to you. If the doctor is avoiding your questions or symptoms or fails to provide you with care, instructions, or a referral so that your health problem can be resolved, watch out!

Written Consent

In Massachusetts and other states, the medical providers are required to obtain a written consent for most medical procedures. This written consent form cannot take the place of the actual discussions with your doctor.

A Bad Result

While you may feel the result obtained from the treatment you received from your doctor was unsatisfactory, this does not automatically mean that the doctor was negligent.

However, since you only have three years within which to file a claim for malpractice, you must take it seriously and take action.

On the other hand, if you have noted discrepancies or deviations from what your common experience tells you are reasonably acceptable, there is a good chance the doctor was negligent. This must be followed by an independent exam by a second doctor with the same specialty. By doing so, whether the doctor caused a bad result by deviating from acceptable medical principles may be clear if the new doctor easily recognizes and rectifies or cures the problem.

Whenever you need help identifying medical malpractice, do yourself a favor – call today. At Ianello Legal Associates consultations are always free.