Have you recently sought the care of a medical professional? If so, you may be at risk of falling victim of medical malpractice. While not all patients will be a victim of medical malpractice, there are a large number of patients who are. In fact, medical negligence is actually the third leading cause of death in the United States.
Falling victim to medical malpractice can result in long-term complications and in some individuals even death. The potential results are so serious that the risk must be treated just as seriously.
Patients should understand what they should not do when seeking medical attention. Knowing certain “don’ts” will allow you, as a patient, to lower your risk of becoming a victim of medical negligence.
Three things you should not do when seeking medical attention are:
- Go alone. If you are seeking medical treatment, you should take a loved one along with you. This will allow a second set of eyes and ears to listen to the doctor. This is especially important for elderly patients or those patients whose medical conditions require help with basic activities.
- Sign waivers. Never sign any documents or waivers that you do not wholly understand. It is not uncommon to become overwhelmed with papers that must be filled out and signed. Take the necessary time to read the documents carefully before continuing.
- Withhold information. It is important that you inform the doctor or practitioner of everything. Do not hold anything back.
If you have been injured due to medical negligence it is important to hold the responsible party accountable. To learn more about your legal options, simply fill out the contact form found on this page.