Tips from the best medical malpractice attorneys in Utah
Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional makes a mistake that injures a patient. But not all mistakes constitute malpractice. Some mistakes in medicine are considered acceptable. this can’t just be any old mistake. For a medical malpractice claim to be successful, the medical professional’s conduct needs to be below the standard of expected care within that particular field of medicine. This is a very high standard, and these cases often take a long time to litigate and significant expenses. To demonstrate that the provider did in fact commit malpractice, you usually need to hire another expert in that field to confirm the conduct was negligent. Here are some helpful suggestions you can take to avoid your own medical malpractice claim when you go in for surgery.
Make Sure You’re Clear About Your Allergens
If you are allergic to anything, your doctor should know about this. Remind the nurse of your allergies, even if they don’t ask about them. Although they should have your allergies on file prior to the procedure, it’s always a good idea to make sure they’re aware of the allergies, especially if you could have a fatal reaction. The more serious a reaction is, the more important it is to ensure that the medical team is aware of the allergy. This is especially important if you’re allergic to something that would likely be used during the procedure such as morphine or iodine.
Be Honest
If you’re abusing substances or recreationally using illegal or prescription substances, you need to tell your doctor about this, especially if they ask this upfront. Don’t lie about your medical history either. Some details may be unsavory or embarrassing, but it can be critically important for the medical team that is taking care of you to have a full picture of your health. In an emergency, it’s important that the medical team is able to make informed decisions about your care, especially when you are incapacitated and cannot make informed decisions for yourself. Make sure you answer all their questions honestly and try not to leave anything out.
Ask Questions
Though it’s your job to be answering a lot of questions, you should also be asking a lot of questions as well. Verify that, indeed, the procedure that you’re scheduled for is the procedure that you’re having. If you have concerns about how this procedure could affect your health, or how it may interact with your current medical conditions, now is the time to ask those questions. You should also ask your doctor questions before the day of the procedure. You may want to ask why the procedure is being performed, and how the procedure will be performed, and whether there are any risks to having the procedure done. Depending on your circumstances, it may also be a good idea to explore alternatives to a surgical procedure.
Research the Hospital
A lot of people instinctively trust hospitals, and this trust isn’t necessarily misplaced. However, it’s important to remember that hospitals are, at the end of the day, businesses. That means that they’re in it to make money. Unfortunately, some hospitals are more interested in turning a profit than keeping patients safe. Research the hospital you’re having surgery and ensure you feel comfortable proceeding. Typically, when scandals are uncovered, they’re big news. Additionally, you may wish to research the surgeon who’s performing the operation to ensure that there aren’t any concerning news articles about them. Finally, you can typically check whether your provider has been subject to any discipline, like license suspensions, with the state medical board or licensing division. When you’re going into the hospital for an operation, you should feel safe and confident in your medical team’s hands.
Research the Procedure
Not only should you have a good idea about the procedure you’re undergoing, but you should also have a good understanding about the side effects of the procedure. Normal and anticipated side effects aren’t necessarily evidence of medical malpractice. So, if you have your tonsils removed, and your throat is a little sore, it may be impossible to win a medical malpractice claim based on that alone. This is because soreness after an operation is a normal and expected side effect. This is not necessarily evidence that a medical professional’s negligence caused you harm. However, if you have your tonsils removed and you’re no longer able to speak, even after the recovery period, that’s an unanticipated side effect that may warrant further investigation into whether or not malpractice took place. Therefore, it’s important that it is documented promptly and accurately.
Have Someone Take Notes
Have someone come with you to take notes or use a voice recording device on their phone to record your conversations with healthcare personnel. It’s not uncommon for someone to come out of surgery feeling groggy and confused even after the anesthesia has worn off. Having someone come with you who can take notes or record conversations on how the surgery went, what you can expect, and what the road to recovery should look like can help you remember important details the next day. Hospitals normally send patients home with a packet containing some pre-written instructions for your specific procedure. Make sure that you ask about any packets or pamphlets that you can refer to when you have questions about the operation. Don’t be afraid to follow up with the doctor regarding any abnormal side effects or complications.
When You Need Legal Advice from the Best Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Utah
If you’re looking for the best medical malpractice attorneys in Utah, look no further. If you have been injured due to the negligence of a medical professional person, Moxie Law Group is here for you. At Moxie Law Group, we’ve got the best medical malpractice attorneys in Utah. We can provide you with a legal team that’s committed to fighting for the compensation their client deserves. If you have been injured, and you need legal advice, contact Moxie Law Group today.
