A Houston resident who believes they or a family member have been a victim of medical negligence may want to pursue a medical malpractice case. There are steps that are recommended that one take when considering medical malpractice when a health care outcome goes gravely wrong.
Firstly, the victim should contact the medical provider who is involved. You should speak with the doctor or medical professional to see what they think went wrong. In many cases a health care provider will want to remedy the situation free of charge.
Secondly, if the medical professional does not help with the situation you should contact the medical licensing board. The licensing board can issue a warning to a medical professional and guide you in the next steps you can take.
Thirdly, find out how long you have to file a claim. The statute of limitations to file a medical malpractice claim varies by state and there can be time limit considerations for Texas claims. It may be best to contact an attorney to find out how much time you have since the laws are constantly changing.
Fourthly, you should get a medical assessment of your situation. This medical assessment can provide you with evidence that your case has merit and that you are the victim of a negligent medical professional. The certificate of merit will show that the original provider deviated from acceptable procedures to cause your injury.
Fifthly, consider contacting a medical malpractice attorney. This attorney will review the information you provide and assess your claim. They can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injury. They can also inform you about other options, such as an out-of-court settlement. Your health is paramount and taking care of it the first priority-repeated medical treatments to fix the problem may be costly and a successful claim or settlement may be one way to cover medical bills.
Source: findlaw.com, “First steps in a medical malpractice case,” accessed on Aug. 25, 2014
Source: findlaw.com, “First steps in a medical malpractice case,” accessed on Aug. 25, 2014
