There are several different thoughts that a person has when they learn they are the victim of medical malpractice. The primary thought is likely going to be something to do with getting the issues caused by the medical malpractice corrected. Once you have a plan for dealing with the health issues the malpractice caused, you can move toward taking action to address the medical malpractice itself. There are several ways you can do this.
In most cases, you will need to contact the doctor or medical professional who handled your case. While that might be the last thing you want to do, it is crucial that you gain an understanding of what might have happened that led to the medical malpractice in your case. That doctor might be able to offer you some insight into the issue. He or she might also be able to offer you a solution to the issue and the health issues that resulted from the malpractice.
From there, you can contact the licensing board. It is possible for this board to issue discipline or warnings to the professional. In some cases, they might be able to help you determine your next steps in the case.
If you do end up filing a medical malpractice claim, you will likely need to undergo a medical assessment. After the claim is filed, you might find that you are being offered a settlement. In that case, you might be able to resolve your case without having to go to trial. If you consider this option, make sure you understand all terms of the settlement before you move forward with it.
Source: FindLaw, “First Steps in a Medical Malpractice Case,” accessed May 25, 2016