When you go and visit the doctor, you expect that doctor to take care of you. The vast majority of doctors are very good people who would do just about anything to take care of their patients. Unfortunately, there are situations when medical professionals make critical errors. Whether medical malpractice was committed knowingly or unknowingly, you may have the right to pursue damages if you have been hurt in a medical malpractice claim.

It can be confusing if you have been harmed by medical malpractice. If you have suffered medical malpractice in Florida, what should you do next? Take a look at several important steps below, and reach out to a professional who can vigorously defend your rights if you have been harmed in a medical malpractice incident.

Seek the Care of Another Doctor Immediately

If you believe you have been harmed by a medical professional, the first thing you need to do is seek the care of another doctor immediately. There are several reasons why you should seek the care of a separate doctor. First, you need to make sure your injuries are not getting worse. Another doctor needs to completely evaluate your injury or illness, making sure you receive the necessary treatment. That way, you can place yourself in the best position possible to recover.

The other reason why you need to see the care of another doctor is that you need to see what they have to say. Are they surprised by what the other doctor did? Do they say that the other doctor should have done something differently? This is the first clue that you may have been harmed in an incident of medical malpractice. If the other doctor says that a separate course of action should have been taken, this is a sign that you may need to pursue a medical malpractice claim.

Ask for Medical Records and Document Everything That Happened

Along the way, you need to document everything. Even if you feel like your doctor wronged you somehow, you still need to reach out to the hospital system and ask for a copy of your medical records. This is a record of everything that happened to you. If you need to prove that the doctor deviated from the best practices established by the field of medicine in some way, you need to have evidence of this. This can be found in the medical record. Reach out to every doctor you have been to and ask for a copy of your medical records. You need to establish a paper trail showing what took place.

Reach Out to a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Florida

Of course, you should also reach out to an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Florida. It can be difficult to prove medical malpractice. Just because you have gotten hurt doesn't necessarily mean medical malpractice took place. A medical malpractice attorney can guide you through the process, collecting the necessary information to prove your case. There are several important elements that have to be proven in order for a medical malpractice claim to be successful. These include:

• Duty: You need to prove that the doctor had a duty to care for you. Just because you ran into the doctor somewhere doesn't necessarily mean that doctor had a duty to provide you with care. If you scheduled an appointment with a doctor, and you saw that doctor, this is the easiest way to prove that doctor had a duty to take care of you.
• Deviation: Next, you need to prove that the doctor deviated from the established best practices of the field. This is why you need to collect your medical record. You need to show what the doctor did. Then, your attorney can hire experts who can testify that the doctor deviated from the best practices of the field.
• Damages: After this, you need to prove that you have gotten hurt. Just because the doctor deviated from the best practices of the field doesn't necessarily mean medical malpractice took place. Did you suffer damages? If you didn't suffer any damages, then there might not be a medical malpractice claim. On the other hand, if you did suffer damages, then the case will move forward.
• Direct Cause: Finally, your attorney will have to prove that this deviation from the established best practices of the field directly led to your damages. Not only do you have to prove that you suffered in some way, but you also have to prove that the doctor’s deviation from the best practices of the medical profession caused your damages. This is another area where your attorney can help you.

There are a lot of elements that have to be proven for a medical malpractice claim to be successful. Fortunately, you don't have to go through this alone. An attorney should have a list of experts he or she can call to testify on your behalf. Then, your attorney will let you know what happens next.

Follow the Advice of Your Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Finally, you need to follow the advice of your medical malpractice lawyer. Your medical malpractice lawyer will advocate for your best interests. If you get a favorable settlement offer, your medical malpractice lawyer might advise you to take it. Or, if your lawyer feels like your claim is not being taken seriously enough, then your lawyer may recommend that you go to trial.

Keep an open line of communication with your lawyer, and make sure you are up to date on everything that takes place. Your lawyer is there to be a legal, objective professional who always has your best interests in mind. Listen to what your lawyer has to say, and you should place yourself in the best position possible to succeed.

Count on Vasilaros Wagner for Help with Medical Malpractice in Florida

It can be difficult if you have been harmed by medical malpractice. You may be wondering what to do next. Even though someone may reach out to you with a settlement, it is important not to accept the settlement without first seeking the advice of a medical malpractice attorney in Florida. That is where we can help you.

At Vasilaros Wagner, we specialize in handling medical malpractice cases. We will thoroughly investigate your case, making sure we understand exactly what happened. Then, we will advocate for your rights, making sure your voice is heard. If you are looking for a legal professional who can help you with medical malpractice, contact us today to speak to one of our attorney. We always offer free case consultations.