4 Steps to Take If You Are Injured During a Surgical Procedure

Surgical procedures can take place after careful planning or during a medical emergency. Patients have to trust their surgeons to make split second decisions and act in ways that best preserve their health. There’s always a risk when you go under the knife, but some medical accidents can be avoided, despite what healthcare professionals say.  At the Plouff Law firm, all of your concerns will be heard, and you’ll be told straight away whether you have a case. Medical negligence doesn’t just lead to pain, discomfort and slow recovery times - it can impact your faith in doctors and shake up your life. Let an attorney aid you in the emotional healing process.

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1. Work on Recovering

When medical negligence occurs, there is almost always injury to the patient. If you had a medical procedure that was meant to help reduce back pain and you were left with an injured spinal cord and paralysis instead, your recovery period will certainly take longer. It can be very difficult to awaken from a surgical procedure expecting to feel like your old self and find that your entire life has changed. Before you can get to the bottom of what has happened to you, it is imperative to practice self-care so that you can gather mental strength.

2. Talk to Your Surgeon

Someone needs to tell you what went wrong during your medical procedure and what can be done to reverse things. In the event that you can’t get answers or feel that you are being brushed off, you can safely assume that negligence was a factor in your injury. Persist if you need to and request to speak directly with your surgeon. At the very minimum, an apology should be given, and accountability needs to be taken.

3. Seek Out a Second Medical Opinion

Because of concerns about lawsuits and malpractice insurance costs, there are just some doctors who will not admit to making a medical mistake. That’s what second opinions are for. While you can go and see an attorney and tell him or her that you believe you have been injured by your surgeon, it is a whole lot better to have the expert opinion of another doctor to back you up. Be prepared to talk to lots of others before locating one who will agree to document your injuries and provide a written medical opinion.

4. Retain an Attorney

Tangibly, nothing can be done to right the wrongs that have happened to you until you get an attorney and file a medical malpractice claim. Some lawyers will want you to pay before they will represent you and others will work out agreements where they will wait to be compensated until after you win your case. Although money is an important factor, your aim should be to present the strongest claim with the best supporting evidence possible.

It doesn’t happen all the time, but medical malpractice is a real problem in the medical community. Holding negligent doctors accountable only helps the industry as a whole. Get the money that you need to make a full recovery by filing a legal claim against the surgeon who harmed you.