Medical Malpractice Lawsuits in Maryland: Steps to Take if You Are a Victim
November 6, 2023
While the statute of limitations would give you up to three years to file a lawsuit, there are steps that you need to take now to put yourself in a better position to receive financial compensation for a medical malpractice claim.
Hire a Lawyer
Perhaps the most immediate thing you need to do after medical malpractice is hire an attorney to represent you. You may not even know what you have to do after you have been injured. At the same time, the medical provider may be pressuring you or trying to get in the way of your case. Hiring an attorney is a crucial step that you need to take.
Medical malpractice cases are not necessarily the most straightforward legal action to pursue. It can be challenging to prove your case, given how hard it is to show that a doctor did something wrong retroactively. You would need an attorney with experience in medical malpractice cases.
Get Copies of Your Medical Records
One of the first things you must do is obtain your medical records. Under the law, your medical records are your property. However, the potential defendant may make getting your records difficult because they know you may sue them. An attorney can help you get your medical records and what you need to file your lawsuit.
Get the Necessary Medical Treatment
You must ensure you get the treatment you need for your injuries. One of the most challenging issues in a medical malpractice case is causation. You have to prove that the medical provider’s negligence caused your injuries. The longer you wait to see a doctor, the more the insurance company may be able to see that the doctor’s actions are not what caused your injury. Then, you may also be accused of not doing everything possible to mitigate your damages.
You should also document the damages that you have suffered. If you can show that the medical provider was to blame, they would be obligated to pay you for the entire extent of your damages. You are legally obligated to prove your harm in a medical malpractice case.
Do Not Talk More Than Necessary
You should also be careful about what you do and say. The medical provider may realize immediately afterward that they have a legal problem. The provider may begin to pressure you, and they may even try to rush you into a settlement. Alternatively, the provider may try to get you on the record saying something that could undermine your claim. You may not know what you can and cannot do, so you are better off being cautious. When you hire an experienced attorney, they would be the point of contact and keep a medical provider or insurance company from overreaching at your expense.
Contact Our Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton for Help With Your Claim
If a negligent healthcare provider has injured you, our Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton can fight for you. Call 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
We have offices in Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Lanham, and Owings Mills, allowing us to represent clients in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.