Medical malpractice is a legal cause of action that occurs when a medical or health care professional deviates from standards in their profession, causing injury to a patient. Being the victim of medical malpractice can be extremely distressing, and you may not know what the following steps are. You’ll probably wonder: do I have a medical malpractice case? How long will everything take? Will I receive compensation? 

These are all questions for a legal representative to answer. So, what should you do if you think you’ve experienced medical malpractice? 

Speak to a lawyer

It’s always advisable to speak to a lawyer if you think you’ve been the victim of medical malpractice – and the sooner the better. Seeking guidance will help you to understand the position you are in and what you might be entitled to. It will also give you a sense of whether your case is isolated or part of a bigger scale issue – for example, whether other people have had the same mistreatment. You can find a lawyer easily online or by asking for recommendations from friends or relatives. It’s always a good idea to meet a lawyer face to face, too, so you can sense whether you have a good connection. Here, you can ask those important questions and make sure that the lawyer you pick is honest, open and reliable.  

Get a second opinion

After experiencing medical malpractice, it’s important to get a medical assessment from a different healthcare professional to review your injuries and medical records. This person will be able to clarify that you have been a victim of medical negligence by examining you and determining your illness or injury. Whilst this may sound daunting after experiencing medical malpractice, it is helpful in the long run and will support your claims, should you decide to seek legal representation. Essentially, it’s evidence that you have experienced medical malpractice – which will be needed in a court of law. 

Mental health support

Experiencing medical malpractice can be extremely distressing, and you may wish to seek support from a mental health professional during this time, such as a counsellor or therapist. You have experienced a trauma, and it’s normal to experience mental health repercussions. A mental health professional will listen to your concerns and help you to manage the way you are feeling. They will have a variety of different treatments and coping strategies available and will make sure they do their best to support you. If you aren’t sure how to seek mental health support, the first step is to speak to your GP.  

Wait

Unfortunately, as with most legal cases, the key is to be patient after experiencing medical malpractice. You may be waiting a while for any tangible results, as cases of medical malpractice can be extremely complicated and time consuming. Therefore, it’s important to trust your lawyer to do their job and get the best possible outcome for you. This may be frustrating, but the results should be worth it.