When you see a doctor for treatment, you go into the doctor's office with the assumption that you can trust their expertise. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Instances of medical malpractice occur every day across the country, and just about anybody can become a victim. If you believe you're the victim of medical malpractice, you'll want to file a claim to get your case going. However, there are also some common mistakes you'll want to avoid along the way that could jeopardize the outcome of your case.

Failing to Get a Second Opinion

First of all, no matter how strong your inclinations are that you were the victim of medical malpractice, it's always best to get a doctor's second opinion to be sure. Of course, this may seem counter-intuitive and you may have a hard time trusting doctors after what you've gone through. This is where asking around for a recommendation for a trusted doctor who has experience with evaluating possible cases of medical malpractice can be helpful and put your mind at ease.

Putting Off Filing Your Claim

Another common mistake you'll want to avoid with your claim is waiting too long to file it. Keep in mind that, depending on where you live, your state likely has a statute of limitations in place when it comes to filing a medical malpractice suit. If you don't submit your claim within the required period of time, you likely won't be able to make your claim at all. The sooner you can file, the better.

Lying About Medical Information

When you file a claim, and once the legal process for your case gets started, you'll likely need to provide a lot of personal medical information. As you provide this information, it's important that you remain as truthful and as accurate as possible. If you're not sure about a question you're asked about your medical history, ask for clarification and be honest; don't guess. Doing so could come back to bite you down the road, as inconsistencies will be seen as exaggerations and used for the doctor's defense attorney.

Filing Without an Attorney's Help

Last but not least, don't attempt to go through the complicated claims process alone; you can talk to a professional, like McLaughlin & Lauricella, P.C., for more information. Having an experienced and dedicated medical malpractice lawyer on your side can make all the difference when it comes to the outcome of your case.

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