Victim Of Medical Malpractice? Here's What To Do.

Victim Of Medical Malpractice, Here's what you should know.

If you live in Illinois and suspect that you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, you should talk to a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.

These cases are very nuanced so the things you say and do in the lead up to bringing a suit may hurt your chances of success. With that said, if you’re still searching for a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer, there are things you can do that won’t hurt your case.

We’ll take you through a few steps you can safely take if you think you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice.

Document as much of your interaction with your doctor as you can.

Medical malpractice suits are stressful situations for a victim of medical malpractice. What’s more, lawsuits can take years before they go to trial, meaning your memory may be foggy by the time you have to answer questions. Documenting the names of your caretakers, dates and times of treatment, types of treatment, etc. can all be helpful to jog your memory.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions if things don’t go as planned.

Doctors and nurses are professionals, so it may be intimidating to ask questions. But they’re also human. They do make mistakes. Find out what went wrong, why things are happening, and how they plan to make things right. Doctors and nurses may be defensive, especially if they have made a mistake, but you’re entitled to answers about your health.

Obtain medical records.

Just like you’re entitled to answers to your questions, you also have a right to a copy of your medical records. In most states, hospitals and doctors are required to provide a copy of medical records at a reasonable cost. Again, they may be defensive or make things inconvenient, but if you’re persistent you’ll get the records you need.

Try not to tip them off.

You don’t want doctors and hospitals to think you’re considering filing suit if you are a victime of medical malpractice. They may go to such lengths as hiring a private investigator to follow you (which they’re legally allowed to do). They’ll work to uncover evidence to discredit your claim.

Call a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer.

We mentioned this in the beginning, but it bears repeating. Medical malpractice is nuanced and one wrong step can endanger the legitimacy of a claim. Call the Law Offices of Scott DeSalvo at 312-500-4500 to schedule a free initial consultation with a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer today.