As an active member of the military or a military veteran, you should be treated with dignity and respect. This includes when you receive medical treatment. Yet, all too often these individuals are subjected to inadequate care that leaves them seriously injured, facing a worsened medical condition or developing a poorer prognosis. When this happens, legal action may be warranted, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll win your case, regardless of how egregious the medical professional’s actions may have been.
That’s why it’s imperative that you know how to build an effective medical malpractice case that takes into account the various aggressive defenses you may face. Also, you’ll need to be aware of the missteps that you can make along the way that may prove disastrous to your case. You certainly don’t want to be your own worst enemy in your medical malpractice case, which is why in this post we want to look at some common mistakes that you’ll want to avoid as you navigate your claim.
Avoid making these errors in your medical malpractice case
There are several mistakes that can be made when navigating a medical malpractice claim. Here are some of the most common and most significant that you’ll want to avoid at all costs:
- Neglecting to keep the statute of limitations in mind: Your medical malpractice claim has to be filed within a certain timeframe, otherwise you’ll be barred from advocating for the compensation that you need and deserve. So, as soon as you know that you have an actionable claim, start gathering evidence to support your case so that you don’t miss out on your opportunity to fight for a favorable outcome.
- Failing to seek follow up medical care: After being subjected to medical malpractice, you’re going to need additional treatment. If you don’t seek out remedial care, or if you don’t follow the recommendations made by medical professionals, then you won’t generate the record that’s needed to prove your damages. This can crater your medical malpractice claim, leaving you without the resources needed to adequately recover from the harm that’s been caused to you.
- Discussing your case on social media: Defense attorneys will scour your social media to see if your lifestyle matches the injuries that are claimed in your medical malpractice case. They’ll also look for any statements that they can use against you, such as those that contradict assertions made in your medical malpractice case. So, be careful about discussing your case and posting photographs that may prove detrimental to your claim.
- Securing the wrong experts: Expert testimony could be pivotal to your claim. But if you hire the wrong experts, then the defense will be able to easily pick their testimony apart, thereby damaging the viability of your claim. So, be sure to work closely with your attorney to find experts who are best positioned to support your case.
- Settling too quickly: Settling your claim might be the best way to secure quick resolution and payment, but it may not be the best overall option for you. Before settling your case, then, you should fully consider the strengths and weaknesses of your case and what legal strategy best positions you to recover as much compensation as possible.
Don’t make a mistake that could derail your medical malpractice claim
There are a lot of errors that can be made when pursuing a medical malpractice claim. With a little knowledge and work on your end, though, you can avoid them and protect the integrity of your claim, thereby maximizing your chances of recovering the compensation that you need and deserve. If you want to learn other strategies for presenting your case in a persuasive fashion, then now is the time to discuss the matter with your attorney.
