| Medical malpractice is all too common, yet few of us | | | | record of any financial damage you have incurred due |
| are prepared for it or know what to do if it happens | | | | to the incident including: |
| to us or to someone we love. The impact can range | | | | • Lost wages |
| from a minor inconvenience to death. The nature of | | | | • Additional medical care or procedures you |
| the error and the severity of your injuries will | | | | have required as a result of the malpractice |
| determine what you must do. Here are some basic | | | | • Travel expenses required for obtaining |
| steps you should take. | | | | additional medical care |
| Obtain all of your medical records | | | | • Therapy, counseling, or any other services |
| Do this as soon as possible to avoid any changes or | | | | required to deal with the emotional and psychological |
| falsification being made in your records. Alterations | | | | trauma |
| are rare, difficult or impossible to prevent, and | | | | • Special equipment needed to deal with |
| difficult to prove, but if proven there are stiff | | | | disabilities or impairment |
| penalties involved. A doctor can lose his or her license | | | | • In-home care |
| and institutions, such as hospitals can be fined or | | | | • Other necessary paid services including |
| sanctioned. In some cases, if a health care provider | | | | housekeeping and childcare (unfortunately help from |
| cannot or will not provide medical records in court, | | | | family members does not usually count, with the rare |
| the court will rule in your favor on that basis alone. | | | | exception of wages lost due to providing direct care |
| Obtain an independent medical evaluation | | | | to the victim) |
| Your attorney will advise you on obtaining an | | | | • Moving expenses should your injuries |
| independent medical evaluation. This is one of the | | | | require moving to obtain ongoing care, due to |
| most important steps in a medical malpractice case. It | | | | physical limitations, or due to loss of income |
| may be necessary for you to be evaluated by a | | | | Journaling |
| specific practitioner. | | | | You may be entitled to compensation for pain and |
| Document your experience | | | | suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Keep a |
| Write down everything that you can remember | | | | journal of how the medical malpractice affects your |
| about your experience from your first contact with | | | | daily life including: |
| the health care provider to the last, including but not | | | | • Physical pain and limitations |
| limited to: | | | | • Psychological and emotional impact, such |
| • Symptoms you spoke about any actions | | | | as depression, anxiety, fear of seeking additional |
| they recommended in response | | | | medical care |
| • Any and all communications with staff | | | | • Cognitive, memory, and speech difficulties |
| • Voicemails you left, whether or not you | | | | • Social impact (especially in cases of |
| got a response, and, if so, how long it took to get a | | | | disfigurement) |
| response | | | | • Impact to your relationship with your |
| • If injuries or physical decline are visible | | | | loved ones and spouse (including sexual dysfunction) |
| take photos, and have before photos on hand as | | | | If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by |
| well | | | | medical malpractice, please contact the New York |
| Financial records | | | | medical malpractice attorneys at the Law Office of |
| While you may not be compensation or reimbursed | | | | Law Office of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos. Proudly |
| for every loss or expense, it is important that you, | | | | serving those in the Nassau County, Suffolk County, |
| your attorney, and the courts have an accurate | | | | Brooklyn, & Bronx, New York metro area. |
| picture of the financial impact of your injuries. Keep a | | | | |