Doctors are not immune to medical errors. Even so, you may have no idea what to do following a mistake made by a physician. You do have a legal right to compensation if a physician has caused you harm.
If you have suffered an injury at the hands of a careless physician, your first step should be to speak with a Harrisburg medical malpractice lawyer today.
Determine if You Suffered Harm
If you believe that a physician made a mistake, whatever it may be, you should assess your current health. If you have suffered an injury and you believe it is the result of the physician’s error, you will want to speak with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer immediately.
Seek Medical Treatment
If you have sustained an injury, you will want to seek medical care immediately. By getting immediate care, you reduce your chances of severe illness or death.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If a medical practitioner is found liable for their actions, the physician’s insurance will compensate you for your hardship. Known as damages, this is a monetary award that reimburses a victim for any losses, which often include lost income, loss of future earnings, and medical expenses.
As soon as possible, you should contact a medical malpractice lawyer. A medical malpractice lawyer will know if your case holds merit and will work with you to help you collect damages.
However, if you delay receiving treatment upon discovering the injury, damages may be reduced. While each state has its own laws pertaining to how much a party can collect based on their degree of fault, Pennsylvania practices modified comparative negligence. Under the law, you are eligible to recover damages as long as you are less than 51 percent at fault for your injury. So, if you delay getting treated, the opposing party can use that as evidence that you contributed to the harm you sustained.
Let Your Attorney Work on Your Behalf
In hiring a Harrisburg medical malpractice lawyer, you are hiring someone to advocate on your behalf. A medical malpractice lawyer understands laws pertinent to your case, court procedures, and what evidence is needed for a successful case outcome.
Your medical malpractice lawyer can subpoena your medical records and patient chart. However, if records are subpoenaed, the health care provider or facility is allowed to charge a fee, depending on the number of pages requested.
Organize Your Medical Records and Documentation
However, there may be times when it is simpler for you to directly request this information from your provider. Under Pennsylvania law, a healthcare professional must provide a patient with his or her own medical records within 30 days of receiving a written request. Additionally, if you have conversations with your physicians, whether it be during an office visit or on the phone, you should record what your physician said.
Speak with Our Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Lawyers Now
Just because you hired counsel does not mean that you should be a passive observer in your case. If you have suffered harm due to a physician’s negligence, our legal team is ready to provide you with the support you need. To discuss your situation, contact our office online or by calling (717) 234-7828.