What Should I Do If I Think I’ve Been a Victim of Malpractice?
Nobody can predict the impact that medical malpractice can have on a person. Causing physical, psychological, and emotional hardship, victims of malpractice often experience long-term effects and permanent disability. When malpractice takes place due to a physician’s oversight, you deserve to be compensated to the fullest extent for your losses. Of course, knowing how to navigate the complexities of the claims process is key to recovering the entirety of your damages.
At Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC, our Greenville medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of malpractice find a speedy resolution to their matter. If you or a loved one has fallen victim to malpractice, our legal team would like to help you recoup the financial resources you need to tend to your medical needs.
Keep Detailed Records
As a victim of malpractice, you deserve to be compensated for both intangible and tangible losses. Undeniably, tangible losses (economic damages) are far easier to quantify. In medical malpractice cases, these may include lost wages, medical expenses, as well as loss of future wages and projected medical expenses. Depending on the severity of your condition, medical expenses may vary and can easily run into the six figures. By keeping records of any hospital stays, tests performed, surgeries, and mobility aids purchased, you can help ensure that you receive a fair settlement.
If you have missed work due to your injuries or have been forced to take a lower-paying job, retain your pay stubs. These will be compared against your pre-injury wages to determine the extent of lost income. Additionally, you may be asked to show your tax returns from previous years to reflect the decrease in salary.
Document Your Recovery Journey in a Pain Journal
Intangible losses, also known as non-economic damages, are any losses that affect a person’s quality of life. In a medical malpractice suit, these often include pain and suffering, infliction of emotional distress, humiliation, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. By keeping a detailed pain journal, you should include a detailed account of all your doctor’s visits, your pain level on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most severe), medications you are taking and any side effects, and any tasks that you are unable to perform due to your condition. If you are experiencing any visible physical symptoms, it is wise to take pictures and keep them with your journal.
Speak with a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
The moment you realize that you have been the victim of malpractice is the moment that you should contact a medical malpractice attorney. Under South Carolina law, you only have three years to commence a claim against a health care provider for harm you sustained. However, the law provides an exception if a surgical instrument or foreign object is left in your body. In this situation, individuals are permitted two years to file a claim after the object is discovered or should have been discovered. Nevertheless, if you have been the victim of malpractice, act as soon as possible gives you the greatest likelihood of financial recovery.
Reach Out to Our Greenville Medical Malpractice Attorneys Today
If you have been impacted by malpractice, the legal team at Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC would like to hear from you. With nearly 40 years of helping victims of malpractice persevere against healthcare providers and their insurers, we pride ourselves on standing up for the “little guy.” We believe that you deserve competent representation, no matter how big or small your case is. To arrange your free consultation with one of our Greenville medical malpractice lawyers, we can be reached online or by calling (864) 432-1796 today.