You trusted your doctor and agreed to have surgery. But instead of relief, you received more pain and discomfort. Maybe you received the wrong medication, or your doctor missed a critical diagnosis.
These are three examples of medical malpractice. It’s not a term to take lightly, as malpractice happens more often than you think. One study revealed that around 400,000 patients experience preventable injuries every year.
Is this something that you or a loved one has experienced? You should know that you’re not powerless. There are options and actions you can take. The first one is to report medical malpractice. Here’s how to report medical malpractice.
Know What Medical Malpractice Means
Not every mistake a healthcare professional makes qualifies as malpractice. Medical malpractice means your doctor violated the standard of care and caused injury. A poor bedside manner doesn’t count as malpractice. Misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or unnecessary procedures are prime examples of medical malpractice. Medical malpractice lawyers can also file a case for wrong prescriptions.
Collect Every Evidence You Can
Your medical malpractice lawyer will need more than your word to start a case. You should start collecting evidence as soon as possible.
Ask for all your medical records. This includes test results, prescription logs, and discharge notes. Take photographs of your injuries or visible symptoms. Keep a detailed record of what happened. Include dates, times, and symptoms. You should also include conversations with staff and names of witnesses. The more evidence you have, the stronger your complaint.
Report the Incident to the State Medical Board
Every state has a medical board that licenses and regulates doctors. This is where you’ll make a formal report for negligence or misconduct.
Visit the official website of your state’s medical board. Look for the “File a complaint” section or “Report a doctor.” You’ll have to complete a form once you’re there. Be concise and stick to the facts. Include copies of your evidence. Remember that you’re not suing yet. You’re reporting misconduct to a regulatory office.
Be prepared for delays. Medical boards often take time to respond. But your complaint will create a permanent record. It helps build a case if other people report the same provider. The medical board could also investigate your report and take disciplinary action.
File a Complaint with the Healthcare Facility
Hospitals have patient relations or risk management departments. File a formal complaint there. Write a clear letter detailing the malpractice. Include dates, names, and facts in your complaint. Explain how the error hurt you and demand a written response.
Send a copy of your letter to the hospital’s CEO or administrator. Send the document via certified mail to create a paper trail. This will help support any legal action you take later.
File a Report with the Department of Health
You can also file a report with your state’s health department. They accept complaints against hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. Your report will be useful if the issue involves systemic failures. For example, the clinic has poor hygiene standards. Or they have unqualified or unprofessional staff. The department might inspect the facility, review your claim, or cite violations.
Consult a Medical Malpractice Attorney
Filing a complaint is sometimes not enough. You should consider hiring a malpractice attorney Orlando for serious cases. For example, a medical error resulted in permanent disability. You must contact a medical malpractice lawyer in cases involving wrongful death.
Many medical malpractice lawyers in Orlando provide free consultations. They’ll assess your case during consultation and determine if you have a valid claim. Bring all your documents, complaint letters, and records when you meet them.
Your lawyer will determine if malpractice happened. They will file legal action on your behalf. They can also negotiate a settlement or take the case to trial. Take immediate action, as malpractice cases have a statute of limitations.
Stand Strong
You might face pushback. Healthcare facilities may act like nothing happened; providers may get defensive. Don’t let the system wear you down. Your medical malpractice lawyer will be there every step of the way.
Dedicated to Defending Your Rights
We don’t just practice law at Warner and Warner, we fight for justice. We’re one of Florida’s top-rated trial law firms. We built our reputation on decades of experience. We also have the respect of our legal peers. Our team has the skill and legal insight to take on the most complex cases. We handle cases involving personal injuries, medical malpractice, and pharmacy malpractice. Contact us here or at 321-450-7978. We’re ready to stand by your side.