Columbia Medical Malpractice Attorneys
When you seek medical attention, you’re coming from a place of vulnerability. When the trust between you and your medical professional is violated, the consequences can be dire. In some cases, the misconduct of a doctor, surgeon, or other medical professional can lead to further injury or even death. If you or a loved one have been the victim of medical malpractice, you deserve to have your situation addressed with compassion and respect. With the aid of a lawyer, you can find justice for what happened to you.
What is Medical Malpractice?
When a medical professional fails to provide reasonable care, they may be found to be negligent. This negligence is the basis on which medical malpractice occurs. For example, if a patient is given a form of treatment without being informed of the risks or potential interactions with medications they may be taking, that patient may face serious danger without even knowing. For obvious reasons, this is a problem.
When we go to the doctor, we expect to be cared for and to have our medical concerns addressed. When they are not, that doctor is putting their patient at risk or even harming them directly. This is a crime and will be treated as such by the law. However, it should be noted that doctors are not the only people that may face medical malpractice claims. Any member of the medical staff that has not acted with reasonable care may be addressed from nurses to anesthesiologists and everyone in between. If you’ve been mistreated by medical staff, contact a medical malpractice lawyer in Columbia, MD to discuss your options for compensation.
What Should You Do First?
If you feel that your healthcare professionals did not act in accordance to their duty, then you should address the problem right away. Waiting to follow up can lead to a more complicated case down the line or even the loss of the case entirely. The very first step you need to take is going to the medical professional in question and giving them the opportunity to rectify the situation. In many cases, they may provide further treatment or support. If they do not, then additional steps will need to be taken.
It’s time to go to the medical licensing board to discuss your situation. Once the board hears your story, they may choose to take action against the negligent medical professional. In some cases, they may also provide helpful resources for the next step in your care.
Maryland Requires the Verification of an Expert
Though not all states require this, the state of Maryland requires you to obtain the testimony of a qualified expert to corroborate your claim. This expert should be a medical professional of the same background and position. For example, if your claim is against a surgeon, then you should seek out the expertise of another surgeon rather than a nurse or an optometrist. They will then provide you with a certificate of merit that you will need for your medical malpractice case.
Get a Lawyer Involved
Without a lawyer, you may not be able to navigate the complicated world of medical malpractice claims and thus, may not receive compensation for the injustices you have suffered. A lawyer can advise you not only on how to approach your claim, but how to obtain the documents you need, and more. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer like Attorney Albers may also have resources and relationships that will help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Don’t Let Your Medical Malpractice Claim Lose Traction
If you’ve been the victim of medical malpractice in Columbia, MD, then you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. Albers & Associates is here to partner with you so that you won’t have to face those mounting medical bills alone. Contact us today for a free consultation so that we can learn more about your situation.