Realizing that you are experiencing a serious injury or other harm that may be the result of medical malpractice can be disorienting and frustrating. You might not be certain what type of options you have for seeking treatment if you were misdiagnosed by a previous healthcare provider, and you likely have concerns about your ability to pay for costly medical care that you now need as a result of a medication injury or a surgical error. It is critical to know what steps you should take if you believe you may have been harmed as a result of a healthcare provider’s negligence. In addition to seeking advice from an experienced Santa Fe medical malpractice attorney, it is critical to take steps to gather evidence that you can use in your case.
The following are steps you should take if you believe you were injured by a healthcare provider’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing.
Document Everything in Potential Medical Malpractice Case
While it can be incredibly difficult to think clearly when you realize you may have been injured because of a healthcare provider’s negligence, it is essential to document everything so that your New Mexico medical malpractice lawyer can build a strong case against the responsible party. First, write down the names of every physician, nurse, facility, and any other healthcare provider associated with your treatment, care, or diagnosis. You should also keep track of the dates you spoke to a particular healthcare provider or visited a particular facility. You should be as detailed as you can be, writing down everything you remember about your interactions. It can be difficult to remember key details later on, and those details ultimately could help you to win your case under the New Mexico Medical Malpractice Act.
Seek a Second (and a Third) Opinion
You need to see another healthcare provider to be assessed. There are many different types of injuries that can result from medical malpractice, and healthcare negligence can take many different forms. Whether you received a misdiagnosis and now have a condition or disease that has worsened significantly, or your doctor prescribed the wrong medication and you suffered a dangerous drug interaction, you should seek advice from another healthcare provider for immediate care and treatment. Often, a second opinion should be followed up by a visit to another healthcare provider—a third opinion—to have another medical professional provide his or her opinion, as well.
Obtain Your Medical Records
Obtain your medical records as soon as you can. When you do, it is important to file requests without providing information about your plans to file a lawsuit. You are entitled to access medical records, and you should be sure that you have documentation of office visits, scans and x-rays, and any other related materials. Recognize that you may need to contact multiple healthcare providers in order to obtain full and complete medical records. Your medical records will be key evidence in your medical malpractice claim.
Contact Our New Mexico Medical Malpractice Attorneys
If you have questions about filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, you should seek advice from one of our Santa Fe medical malpractice lawyers as soon as possible. Contact Slate Stern Law to learn more about how our firm can assist you with your claim.