As a qualified veteran, you’re able to seek medical care at a VA hospital, and when you do, you deserve the best care possible. Though the medical care staff at each hospital does their best to provide quality care, accidents can happen, and when they do, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim against the doctors, nurses, and support staff responsible for your care.
Working with an experienced Ohio VA medical malpractice attorney can help you navigate the legal process. But there are a few things you should do as soon as you suspect malpractice to set your case up for success.
What to Do If You Suspect Malpractice
As soon as you start to feel like something isn’t right, take action. The sooner you do, the easier it will be for you and your Ohio VA medical malpractice attorney to show that the medical care team breached their duty of care. Take the following steps immediately after you suspect malpractice.
Seek Treatment Immediately
If the care you received at the VA hospital didn’t adequately treat your condition, seek a second opinion and get the treatment you need from another healthcare provider immediately. This may require going to a civilian emergency room, urgent care, or primary care provider or seeking help from another VA hospital or medical care facility. Remember, your health is the priority and getting a second opinion may help you recover from your injuries more quickly.
Document Everything
Start documenting everything you can remember about the care you received, the injuries you suffered, and any other details surrounding your care at the VA hospital. Keep a journal detailing the complications you’re experiencing and the treatments your other healthcare providers recommended after your trip to the VA hospital. Keep track of the names of nurses and doctors you work with, dates of appointments, and other relevant information. Typically, the more information you can document, the better it will be for your case.
Request Copies of Medical Records
Request copies of your medical records from the VA. They’re required to provide you with your medical records prior to the treatment you received that may constitute as malpractice, the records related to the treatment you received during that incident, and any follow-up appointments you have with the VA.
Speak With an Ohio VA Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you believe you’re the victim of malpractice, you’ll want to speak with an Ohio VA medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll have an expert you can rely on to help you compile the necessary evidence and help you determine if you have a malpractice claim. Your attorney can help you with the following:
- Deciding if filing a lawsuit is in your best interest.
- Negotiating with the VA.
- Filling out the necessary paperwork.
- Finding expert witnesses who can speak to your injuries and the duty of care your doctor owed you.
Schedule a consultation as soon as you’re considering filing a claim.
File an Administrative Claim
Before you can file a lawsuit, you’ll need to file a claim with the VA. This effectively gives them notice that you’re pursuing a medical malpractice claim. Your attorney will be able to guide you through the process and can represent your interests with the VA if needed. Once you file this claim, you can file a claim against the VA in federal court if you fail to reach a settlement outside of court.
Let Veterans Law Attorneys Help
If you believe you’re the victim of medical malpractice, let the team at Veterans Law Attorneys help. Our experienced Ohio VA medical malpractice attorneys have helped veterans like you get the justice they deserve for years. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
