Although medical malpractice comes in many potential forms, it’s not uncommon for a healthcare professional’s negligence to have a devastating impact on the life of a victim.
Nothing can change the past if you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice. However, you could potentially hold the negligent parties accountable by filing a claim or lawsuit. Doing so allows you to pursue compensation for your medical bills and other such losses resulting from a doctor’s actions or mistakes.
Be aware that building a medical malpractice case is a complex process. Your odds of receiving the compensation for which you’re eligible may increase significantly if you have proper legal representation.
You can start by reviewing your case with a medical malpractice lawyer. An initial consultation with an attorney gives you the chance to learn if you have reason to seek compensation. It can also help you better determine if a particular lawyer is qualified to represent you.
A lawyer may instruct you to prepare for your consultation in various ways when you reach out to them. However, even if they don’t provide such instructions, generally, it’s smart to prepare for an initial meeting with a medical malpractice lawyer by:
- Gathering records: Your medical records serve as the backbone for your medical malpractice case. A lawyer can more accurately assess whether you’ve been a victim of malpractice if you can provide them with substantial documentation of the care you received. From your records, an attorney may be able to ascertain what type of error occurred and at what stage of your treatment mistakes may have been made. Additionally, bring the contact information of any doctors and other medical professionals who’ve been involved in your care.
- Documenting losses: A medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve by accounting for your various compensable losses when filing a claim or lawsuit. That said, you can give them a basic sense of the damages you’ve incurred by bringing copies of medical bills and pay stubs (if your injuries were severe enough to result in lost wages). You should also keep a journal in which you describe any non-economic damages you may have experienced, such as pain and suffering.
- Bring copies of communications: You may have emails, text messages, and other such forms of communication that relate to your case. Bring copies of them with you to your consultation if so.
- List medications and treatments: As a result of medical malpractice, you may now need to take certain medications, undergo certain therapies, etc. Make a list of these treatments.
Again, this might not be an exhaustive list. An attorney may request you take additional steps to prepare for your consultation. These are just some general recommendations to keep in mind.
At the law office of Jed Kurzban, Esq., a Honolulu medical malpractice attorney is prepared to review your case, answer your questions, and provide the quality representation you deserve if you choose to work with our firm. Get started by contacting us online or calling us at 808-736-5035 to schedule a consultation today.