If you have been injured or harmed due to a physician’s negligence or a medical professional’s error, you may be exploring what legal options you have to rectify that situation. It is important to realize that there are steps you must take before filing your initial lawsuit – and failing to follow the proper steps could be detrimental to the successful outcome of your malpractice claim. While not all of these steps are required by the courts, taking them may help your case and allow you to receive a settlement more quickly.
You should also speak with a qualified lawyer regarding the specific factors of your case to see if there are additional steps you must take before filing your claim.
Contact the Physician or Hospital
The first step is to speak with the physician or hospital regarding the unsatisfactory treatment you received. This helps you understand what the initial goal of the medical treatment was, if the goal was met, and if it wasn’t, what caused the failure. This helps you better understand if the medical care you received constitutes medical malpractice or not.
Also, contacting the medical professional regarding your condition or injury can help you determine if there is a remedy. If you do not have a valid medical malpractice claim, it is imperative you seek alternative treatments or seek out corrective services. Failing to take steps to lessen your injury could hurt your chances of a settlement later on.
Contact the State Licensing Board
The medical licensing board of Kentucky is the governing body for all medical licenses in the state. This licensing board will investigate your claim of malpractice, issue citations to the physician and public, and discipline if they find negligence was involved.
While the medical licensing board has nothing to do with your actual claim in court, if the board finds the physician guilty of negligence and disciplines them for such, it can help prove your claim later.
Contact an Attorney
Before meeting with an injury lawyer for a free consultation, you need to gather medical information to help them better assess your case. You need to gather:
- Medical records
- Names of the physicians and medical professionals that you feel are responsible for your condition or injury
- Prescription medications
- Medical payments or bills associated with the injury
Also, you will need to understand the statute of limitations for Kentucky. The state requires that you file a malpractice claim within one year of the date of the act or omission that caused your condition or injury. Regardless of whether or not your claim is valid, it must be filed within that limitation or you will not be able to collect compensation.
Meet with a Lawyer Today
An attorney can determine if your medical malpractice case has merit. Because malpractice claims are inherently complicated, it is best that you speak to an attorney before assuming you have a valid claim. Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC can meet with you today with no charge to discuss your case. Call us today or schedule a consultation online to get started.
