Going to the doctor is supposed to help you feel better, but unfortunately, medical malpractice can occur. Even if your doctor would likely never intentionally harm you, mistakes can still be made. Here are five ways to defend yourself from medical malpractice so you can make a speedy recovery.
Know Your Medications
If you do not disclose your medications to your provider, they may prescribe something that should not be taken with your existing medications. You should always have a record of what medications you are taking, how much you are taking, and what each medication is for. If you provide each doctor with a list of your medications, it could be considered a record-keeping error and medical malpractice if they give you a medication that reacts with your existing prescriptions.
Get Legal Help
If you have suffered medical malpractice, you need the right legal representative on your side. Hiring a personal injury attorney can help you get properly compensated after suffering medical malpractice. You deserve to be fairly represented, and you should have your story heard if you were mistreated by a medical professional. Additionally, taking legal action will hopefully protect patients of that practice from further negligence.
Have a Personal Advocate
Sometimes it pays to bring a trusted friend or family member along with you to your appointments. If you aren’t able to speak, it is especially important to have an advocate with you at the doctor’s office. Your advocate can ask questions, write down information, and help you avoid medical malpractice by spotting things you may have missed.
Write Everything Down
If your medical journey is long and complex, it can be very beneficial to write things down. If you keep a record of what your doctor said, appointments attended, medications taken, and procedures performed, you will have a much better chance of fighting medical malpractice if it occurs. Make sure to keep all your records in one place for easy access.
Speak Your Mind
If you see something, say something. It can be very hard to speak up when you don’t feel well, and questioning a medical authority may seem like you’re being difficult, but it could save your life. If you feel like something isn’t right, you need to tell your doctor or the medical professional taking care of you. Trust your gut and never take anything at face value just because it comes from a doctor’s mouth.
Medical malpractice is very serious, and you have every right to protect yourself from it. If you think you have suffered medical malpractice, you should take the steps to get the compensation and healing you deserve.
