3 People to Contact If You’re a Victim of Medical Malpractice

September 20, 2017

It was just a normal dentist x-ray—until they saw the large lump.

Just another day at the dentist turned out to be so much more for Kim Tutt when the x-ray revealed a lump that was later diagnosed as cancer. Now Tutt was looking at 3-6 months to live.

In an attempt to increase her time as much as possible, Tutt agreed to multiple surgeries where they would remove the tumor, along with part of her chin, and replace it with her fibula. This left her face slightly disfigured, but it granted her a little more time to spend with her two young sons.

Three months later, she received a call from her doctor. The doctor explained that she was cancer free, but this good news was followed by the news that she never actually had cancer. There was actually a mix-up in the lab.

The pain of this story goes beyond physical. Because of this misdiagnosis, Tutt was led to believe that she would die soon, and that type of fear and grief cuts much deeper than an unnecessary surgery. Even beyond that, this perfectly healthy woman will now have to live her entire life with a disfigurement. This is the type of pain that many don’t consider when they think of the effects of medical malpractice.

Because medical malpractice can lead to such physical, mental, and emotional trauma, you should know how to pursue compensation for your suffering. But who can you trust after your doctor has harmed you? Who should you call if you’re a victim of medical malpractice?

1. A New Doctor

It is important to get a second opinion by someone who is completely outside of the situation. Your new doctor may be able to alleviate your pain or correct a mistake the negligent doctor made.

Your new doctor may in fact be the one who discovered that your previous doctor harmed you unnecessarily or verified your suspicions that you were not given the care you deserved. Not only will a new doctor give you a fresh new perspective of the situation, but pursuing more treatment will also give you credibility in the legal aspect of the case.

2. The Medical Board

It’s also worth your time to go to the board of the medical facility. While the board itself cannot actually help you with any of the medical procedures, the board can discipline the doctor who harmed you in attempt to make it right.

If the medical board protects the negligent doctor, however, it might be time to hire someone who can fight on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve.

3. A Medical Malpractice Attorney

Even if you don’t know if you have a medical malpractice case, you can always call an attorney for a free consultation. The attorney can advise you on the steps you can take to pursue compensation for your injuries.

Medical malpractice is a real and horrible issue, and if you are a victim of it, we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call Hensley Legal Group today for a free consultation or contact us online.