After a doctor’s visit, the expectation is that you will be leaving with medication, answers and/or an effective care plan. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen and some people leave the doctor feeling much worse.
This can happen when patients are victims of medical malpractice, including misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes and negligent care. If this has happened to you, chances are that the hospital or doctor involved may offer you some sort of settlement to remedy the situation. However, before you agree to anything, you will want to consult an attorney to weight your options. Doing so is critical for a few reasons.
- The settlement offered may not actually cover the cost of your damages. The settlement may reflect the cost of repairs or additional procedures you may need as a result of a mistake, but it probably won’t reflect the true extent of your injuries. For instance, it may not adequately cover your emotional distress or the future expenses you may incur.
- The settlement may serve as a way to cover up systemic problems or a history of negligence by a specific person. If you agree to certain terms or offers from the hospital, you could be making it very easy to keep serious issues hidden. This could leave others vulnerable to unsafe practices and parties that persist.
- Waiting until you can work out an acceptable settlement from the hospital could wind up making it impossible to pursue a legal claim. In Kentucky, there are strict statutes of limitations in place. If you do not file a claim within that time limit, you may wind up with nothing.
For these and other reasons, it can be wise to consult an attorney as soon as possible if you or a loved one has been injured or otherwise harmed by a medical error or negligence. You don’t have to agree to anything with the hospital without first examining your legal rights and options.