What Steps Should I Take If My Health Care Provider was Negligent?
January 28, 2020
As patients, we put our health and safety in the hands of doctors, nurses, and other health care providers. We trust that they have our best interests at heart and that they are going to provide the best care possible. However, health care providers are also human and capable of making mistakes. Unfortunately, there are times when a medical mistake is the result of negligence, which can jeopardize the health of patients. According to researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States. If your health was compromised while under the care of a health care provider, a skilled medical malpractice lawyer can review your case and recommend the best legal course of action.
If you plan to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit, you are urged to take the following steps:
- Talk to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. Filing a malpractice lawsuit can be a complex process and a malpractice lawyer can walk you through every step and address all your questions and concerns.
- Collect all medical records. This will help provide a clear picture of your health issue and the treatment you received. Once you sign your medical records over to your lawyer, they can determine whether there is evidence of malpractice.
- Provide proof of negligence. You will need to prove the following to proceed with your case:
– Duty of Care: You must prove that you were under your doctor’s care if you plan to hold them liable for negligence.
– Breach of Duty: You must prove that your health care provider did not meet the standard of care that another doctor would have provided in similar circumstances.
– Negligence Caused the Injury: Your illness or injury was the direct result of your doctor’s negligence. - Determine Damages: Once you obtain the proof of negligence, you will need to calculate damages for the following:
– Current and future medical bills
– Lost wages
– Cost of traveling to and from doctor’s appointments
– Pain and suffering
– Punitive damages - Contact Insurance Companies: Before you proceed with your lawsuit, reach out to the insurance company to discuss the details of your case. Your medical malpractice lawyer will advise you whether it is in your best interest to accept a settlement offer or proceed with the lawsuit.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Medical Negligence
If your health was compromised while under the care of a health care professional, it is in your best interest to contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Medical malpractice lawsuits can be complex and overwhelming, but we are on your side. We are committed to protecting your legal rights and will work closely with you to ensure that you receive the maximum financial compensation you deserve. Our skilled legal team will not stop fighting for you until we have your complete satisfaction. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Prince George’s County, allowing us to represent victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
