Image credit: cardmaverick/123RF Stock Photo[/caption] In some cases, medical malpractice is the obvious cause of an injury or death. In many causes, however, medical malpractice is not readily apparent. In fact, many patients who are the victims of a medical error may by unaware that medical malpractice was involved. Medical malpractice is when a doctor, hospital, or other medical professional fails to provide the appropriate medical care. The medical treatment must be negligent, however, and not just worse than you may have been received from another doctor or hospital.In order to sustain a claim for medical malpractice, you must show that the doctor or health care provider deviated from medically-accepted standards. It is not enough to show that another doctor had more experience or would have done something different. If you suspect that you may have been the victim of a medical error that amounted to medical malpractice, you should:
- Get the medical care you need. Your top priority should be getting the medical treatment that you need. In some cases, this will involve additional medical care or seeing a specialist. If you do not believe that your current doctor’s medical treatment is appropriate, you may need to see a different doctor.
- Seek a second opinion. A second opinion can be helpful in getting you the medical attention that you need. According to the New York Times, evidence shows that second opinions can lead to significant changes in a patient’s diagnosis or in recommendations for treating a disease, particularly with respect to radiology images and biopsy pathology slides. Moreover, a second opinion may also provide you with helpful insight into whether medical malpractice was involved.
- Obtain and retain medical records. Not only will your medical records help you get the medical treatment that you need, but they may also be used in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
- Consult with a medical malpractice lawyer. If you suspect that medical malpractice may have been involved, you should consult with a medical malpractice lawyer who can help you understand you legal rights and determine whether you may have a valid legal claim. Moreover, there are time limitations on when a medical malpractice lawsuit may be filed so it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Contact an Illinois Medical Malpractice Lawyer
The medical malpractice lawyers at Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish focus on helping the victims of medical malpractice obtain maximum financial recovery. We will listen to your concerns, advise you of your legal rights, and if you have a valid medical malpractice claim, we will advocate on your behalf for maximum compensation. If you suspect that you might have been the victim of medical negligence, contact the Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish to schedule a free consultation to discuss a possible medical malpractice claim.
