What Documents do I Need to Pursue a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
When someone is injured through a healthcare professional’s negligence, he or she will need to provide an attorney with documentation to support any claims of negligence. Failing to provide adequate evidence, on the other hand, can be devastating to a claim, so if you want to learn more about how to begin building a case for your own medical malpractice lawsuit, please call our experienced Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyers today.
Do I Have a Medical Malpractice Claim?
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to use a reasonable standard of care in diagnosing or treating a patient and that failure results in the person’s injury or death. A wide range of negligent acts can fall under the umbrella of a medical malpractice claim, but the most common include:
- Misdiagnosing a condition due to a failure to order proper tests or review a patient’s history;
- The improper prescribing or administration of medication;
- The negligent administration of anesthesia;
- A failure to properly monitor a patient’s condition or vital signs;
- Improperly lifting or transporting a patient;
- Poor care resulting in bed sores or other conditions;
- A failure to sanitize medical tools and equipment; and
- Engaging in poor recovery planning.
Although it is possible to recover compensation for this type of negligence, it does require the submission of convincing evidence and documentation.
Important Documentation
In order to file a successful medical malpractice claim, plaintiffs will need to provide their attorneys and the court with documentation related to their medical condition, including:
- Medical records, which must be requested from healthcare providers;
- A log detailing visits to various healthcare providers;
- Any correspondence with healthcare providers or insurers;
- Medical bills, including premiums that have already been paid and payments submitted by insurers;
- Receipts for payments made towards their treatment;
- A death certificate or autopsy report if the patient passed away;
- Photographs of the injury or condition;
- The results of any diagnostic tests, including physical exams, lab results, and x-rays, MRIs, and CAT scan results; and
- The healthcare provider’s notes.
A lack of documentation won’t necessarily prevent a person from moving forward with a lawsuit, but it could delay a claim indefinitely, which can have devastating consequences for claimants who are struggling to pay off mounting medical debt. The help of an experienced attorney can make all the difference when it comes to investigating a claim and building a strong case, so if you need help with a medical malpractice-related question or concern, please call our office today for assistance.
Set Up a Free Review of Your Case
If you were injured due to a medical professional’s negligence, contact our office as soon as possible so that documentary evidence and testimonies can be collected as quickly as possible. As experienced Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyers, we are committed to helping our clients receive fair compensation for the injuries they sustain as a result of someone else’s negligence. Please contact Boone & Davis at 954-566-9919 to learn more about filing a claim in Florida.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0766/0766ContentsIndex.html
