If you are seeing a new doctor for the first time, you can expect the following.
- Review of past medical history
- Asking about drug allergies
- Discussion of any concerns with your current health
Missing any one of these basic steps could result in mistreatment, being given a drug that you are reactive to, or missing a diagnosis of a condition that benefits from early detection and treatment.
There is a difference between a standard of care and the results of your treatment. It is not considered a breach of the standard of care if your doctor cannot cure what ails you, unless it is a commonly treated condition with a standard treatment procedure. In other words, if you have an incurable disease and your doctor does everything in his/her power to reduce your symptoms and halt the progress, you cannot find him/her in breach of the standard of care because they could not cure you. There are other instances when a physician makes an egregious error that another would not, such as in wrong site surgery.
How to Approach a Case of Medical Malpractice
When you believe a doctor has not lived up to the standard of care the first step is to seek the advice of another doctor. A second opinion can tell you whether or not you received proper care, or if your first doctor missed something significant in the care provided. It's a good idea to bring along any test results or medical records from your first doctor so the second doctor can see what their exams and diagnosis looked like.
Once you have a second opinion and are getting proper treatment, it's time to talk to a medical malpractice attorney about your case. You'll need to bring any medical records from your first doctor, as well as medical records from your second doctor that show the errors in your initial care. Your attorney can compare all of the records, confer with doctors as necessary, and advise you on whether or not you have a case of medical malpractice.
It's Never a Bad Idea to Consult with a Medical Malpractice Attorney
There's no harm in bringing your case to a medical malpractice attorney for review. When you think your doctor or medical team fell flat in providing a standard of care, the Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, P.C. is here to help. Contact the office today to schedule an appointment for a FREE consultation regarding your legal options after a case of medical malpractice: 404-474-0804.
