Steps to Take if You Suspect Medical Malpractice

Residents of Pennsylvania including the Philadelphia area often contact us to discuss a potential medical malpractice case. The most common inquiries we receive are related to misdiagnosis of stroke, heart attack, cancer and infections like sepsis.

Typically, patients are unsure of whether they have a valid medical malpractice case. Oftentimes, the patient suspects something is amiss, but isn’t sure how to proceed.

In this medical malpractice article, our lawyers discuss the steps to take if you suspect medical malpractice by a doctor, specialist, or large facility like a hospital.

Get a second opinion

If you believe an error has been made in diagnosing or treating you, you should first act promptly and find another doctor as soon as possible so any medical mistakes can be identified and corrected. If you are hospitalized, ask to be transferred to a new facility.

Request an autopsy

If a loved one has died, consider having an autopsy performed. The cause of death reported by a hospital may not be accurate. Family members are often unaware that they may request an autopsy in Pennsylvania, and if one is not performed, they may be able to obtain a private autopsy.

Request medical records

Medical records are an important piece of evidence in every medical malpractice case. When an obvious mistake has been made, healthcare professionals sometimes go back and change the records to cover their tracks.

While it is illegal to falsify medical records, sometimes it is done any way to avoid liability. Therefore, it is important to obtain a copy of your records as soon as possible to preserve any and all relevant information.