The First Steps in a Medical Malpractice Case

With all of the advances in modern medicine, errors are still occurring all too frequently. If you have been wronged by a physician, hospital, drug, or any other of a host of medical related issues, you may very well have a reason to consider filing a medical malpractice case in Baltimore. You certainly want to ensure that your rights are protected, that you get the quality care you need to fix the situation, and that you are adequately compensated for your pain and suffering. As you begin to consider this process, here are the first steps that you will likely need to take before you move forward.

Make Sure to Discuss the Issue with the Medical Professional Involved

It is important for you to understand what happened to cause this situation in the first place. The most logical place to begin that quest is with the medical professional that you feel was responsible. At the very least, you will want to hear their side of the story to better know how you want to proceed. In addition, such professionals are often quite forthcoming in acknowledging the error and will work to provide you with the remedy (free of charge) to make sure you get better as quickly as possible.

Make Contact with the Medical Licensing Board

If you are no closer to resolving the situation after discussing it with your medical professional, it might be time to take the issue straight to the relevant medical licensing board. You will want to make sure that you speak to the agency that governs medical licenses related to your particular case. It is important to note that a licensing agency cannot necessarily force your medical professional to provide you with compensation, but they can work to issue any necessary warning, and even discipline the practitioner if they feel that it is warranted.

Be Aware of Any Deadlines Related to Filing Your Claim

When considering a medical malpractice claim in Baltimore, it is important to remember that there are time deadlines to consider by which such a claim must be legally filed. This differs depending on the particular nature of the case, so you want to check into the matter to determine a date by which you need to act. It you exceed that statute of limitation, you risk waiving any right that you might have to compensation as a result of your injuries. These timelines are usually state specific, so keep that in mind as well.

Determine If It Is Possible To Settle Out of Court

Filing a medical malpractice case can be quite expensive, in addition to requiring a lot of time. Consider trying to settle out of court with the medical professional involved in order to save you this trouble.

Consider Retaining an Attorney Who Specializes in Medical Malpractice

If all of the steps taken to this point do not avail you the results you were looking for, it is time to contact an attorney in the Baltimore area that specializes in medical malpractice cases. This will help ensure that your rights are protected, and that you receive the compensation that you are justly entitled to.