If you think your medical team deviated from the most widely accepted standard of care, you may have grounds for legal action. Should you end up filing a malpractice claim, you can give it the best chance of success by taking the following steps as soon as possible:

1. Seek Adequate Care Elsewhere

Your first priority should be your health, so make sure to visit another provider who’s equipped to address the complications you’re experiencing right away. While returning to the provider who made the mistake might seem logical because they’re already familiar with your case—and where the course of treatment derailed—doing so could hurt your credibility.

At the end of the day, your medical malpractice claim will allege that the original physician was negligent. By returning to them for follow-up care, you’re essentially downplaying the extent of their breach.

2. Preserve All Relevant Medical Records

Your medical records will inevitably serve as the foundation of your claim. This includes hospital logs, x-ray images, prescriptions, physical therapy progress reports, and psychological evaluations.

3. Start a Personal Injury Journal

New York allows victims of medical malpractice to seek funds for various non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment in life. The easiest way to prove their extent is with detailed journal entries. As such, it’s wise to start keeping a journal on the very same day you realize your physician made a mistake.

4. Stay off Social Media

In the digital age, people often turn to their connections on social media for love, support, and encouragement. Since anything you publish online now could be used to challenge your credibility later, though, it’s best to stay off social media altogether until your claim has been resolved. If that’s not an option, post with discretion, and avoid discussing the pending case at all.

5. Consult a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A resourceful lawyer can help you navigate every stage of the proceedings. By enlisting help right away, you can ensure your claim gets off to a strong start. You can also avoid making critical mistakes from day one, like giving a recorded statement.

Chances are you’ve never filed a medical malpractice action, though, and you’re unsure what to look for in legal counsel. To ensure your case ends up in good hands, prioritize the following when evaluating firms:

· Relevant experience;

· A track record of success;

· Accessibility;

· A vast legal network;

· Compassion and warmth; and

· Professionalism.

Discuss Your Case with a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in New York

At Leitner Varughese, we’re not afraid to go up against even the largest health care institutions. If you suffered complications after receiving substandard care, we’ll help you hold the negligent parties accountable.

Our tireless team is proud to counsel clients in New York City, Long Island, and throughout the rest of New York State. To schedule a free initial consultation with a medical malpractice attorney in New York fill out the Contact Form on our website or call 855-585-2969.