Going into the hospital or seeking care at a doctor’s office is usually done with an expectation of getting help for something that is bothering you. In most cases, that is exactly what happens. There are other cases, however, in which patients are harmed while they are being cared for by medical professionals. When harm occurs, the shock of the situation and the effects of the harm might make it difficult to respond appropriately to the situation. Kentucky residents should be aware of what to do in the event of they are harmed at the hands of a medical professional.
Any event dealing with medical malpractice should be reported to the hospital. Internal investigations are required at all accredited hospitals when serious incidents happen. You should also report the incident to regulatory officials to create a paper trail. In some cases, the regulatory officials might be able to impose fines or cite the institution for the incident.
If a person who is being treated dies, a forensic autopsy is usually necessary. Because autopsies generally aren’t automatically done, you will likely have to order one to be done on your loved one.
Getting a copy of the medical records from the hospital is another necessary step for someone who is the victim of hospital malpractice or hospital negligence. Under federal law, patients have a right to get a copy of their medical records. Make sure you ask for a complete record. You might be charged fees for copying your records, so be prepared for that cost.
Hospital negligence isn’t something that should be allowed to go unnoticed. Anyone who has been the victim of hospital negligence might have the right to seek compensation for injuries or harm that resulted from the negligence. This also helps hospitals or doctors to eliminate negligent behavior by putting new guidelines and procedures in place which may protect future patients.
If you or someone you love has experienced a serious personal injury or wrongful death due to negligent hospital errors, you have the right to obtain compensation through a Kentucky or Ohio medical malpractice claim. For a completely confidential and free consultation regarding your case, call the experienced Covington and Cincinnati medical malpractice attorneys at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm today.
Source: Philly.com, “6 steps to take if you’ve suffered harm in a medical facility” Marshall Allen, Mar. 26, 2014