If you have reason to believe you can file a medical malpractice claim, you shouldn’t wait to take action. The sooner you learn more about your legal rights, the easier it becomes to create a plan for moving forward.
Here are the first steps to take in a medical malpractice claim:
- Contact your medical provider: Before making a claim, talk to your medical provider to better understand what went wrong and to determine if there’s anything you can do to fix the issue. They may be willing to help, free of cost.
- Contact the appropriate medical licensing board: This doesn’t do anything to improve your health, but a licensing board can review what went wrong and discipline the medical practitioner if needed.
- Understand your legal rights: For example, there are statutes of limitations governing how long you have to make a claim. In Georgia, the statute of limitations is two years.
- Get a second opinion: This is important, as a medical assessment is necessary to confirm that your case has merit.
- Settle out of court: Depending on the details of your case, you may be able to settle with the provider out of court. Although this can save time and reduce stress, don’t go down this path unless it makes sense financially.
Your health is more important than anything else, so make sure you find a medical team that can help you deal with your issues. As you’re regaining your former level of health, learn more about your legal rights. This will help you decide if it makes sense to file a medical malpractice in search of compensation.
