3 Steps to Take If You Were a Victim of Medical Negligence

It’s easy to assume that medical malpractice is a rare occurrence. You may have heard horror stories about botched surgeries and prescription errors, but nobody expects to be a victim of medical negligence. However, according to a recent study in the journal Health Affairs, physicians in the United States spend more than 50 months of their careers on average with an open, unresolved malpractice claim against them.

According to data from Johns Hopkins Medicine, an estimated 4,000 serious surgical errors – or “never events” – take place every year. These are medical mistakes that should simply never happen. They include:

Performing surgery on the wrong patient or body part;

Leaving surgical instruments inside a patient; and

Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage to a patient.

If you sustained an injury or lost a family member due to a medical error, contact the The Bowling Law Firm. You may be entitled to compensation.

David A. Bowling is a medical malpractice lawyer in New Orleans who will evaluate your case and explain your legal options. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation. You can learn more about medical malpractice in Louisiana by visiting USAttorneys.com

What Should I Do If I Was a Victim of Medical Negligence?

The effects of medical malpractice can range from minor, curable injuries to severe, permanent disabilities. If you were injured by a negligent doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other health-care worker, follow these three steps:

1. Tell Your Doctor

If you were injured by a doctor, then discuss the matter with him or her immediately. Although this might sound counterintuitive, the at-fault physician will probably understand what went wrong and know how to resolve the issue. It is likely that the doctor will provide the treatment for free.

2. Undergo an Independent Medical Examination

Your medical malpractice lawyer can arrange an IME on your behalf. An independent medical examination will help you and your attorney determine if medical malpractice did in fact occur. It will also provide insight into possible ways to treat your condition and will help your lawyer calculate damages. The results of the IME may be valuable evidence to support your claim.

3. Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you believe that the medical negligence caused a permanent injury or illness, or if your family member died due to medical malpractice, you should consult a lawyer immediately. An attorney will help you gather evidence, arrange expert testimonies, and pursue fair compensation.

If the incident happened in Louisiana, contact a New Orleans medical malpractice lawyer from the The Bowling Law Firm. David A. Bowling is a medical malpractice attorney with more than 30 years of trial experience. He has the knowledge and resources to help you recover the maximum compensation.

The Bowling Law Firm is an AV-rated law Firm under Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation.