Surgical Malpractice And Dangers

Quite often when patients realize that their surgeon made a mistake during the course of the patient’s care, the patient is lost, confused, and suffering in pain.  They are exhausted from their medical illness, from the pain, and often do not have the energy to get out of bed much less figure out what to do with the negligent doctor.

Experienced medical malpractice attorneys in the Hudson Valley regions of New York understand this.   These attorneys also know that negligently treated surgical patients can experience many different emotional feelings like anger, sadness, depression, and anxiety about future health needs.

So, what can a patient who has been negligently harmed by a surgeon do?  Many patients injured this way decide to hold the negligent doctor accountable in a court of law.  This is what courts are designed to do; peacefully resolve disputes between multiple parties and compensate those who have been wronged when the law in fact can provide a remedy.

The law in New York does in fact allow injured surgical patients to sue negligent doctors.  So, the first thing an injured patient should do is contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney.  These attorneys have handled numerous medical malpractice cases throughout many years.  Their experience has taught them the law, but more importantly, they have learned how to empathize with suffering patients.

Attorneys specializing in medical malpractice know what questions to ask injured patients and they know how to investigate a medical malpractice allegation.  You would be surprised to see how knowledgeable these doctors are about medical issues.

A word of caution must be inserted here.   We understand that making the decision to sue your surgeon is not easy, but you should know that you must commence suit against your surgeon within a statutorily proscribed time frame.  In most medical malpractice claims, the statute of limitations is two and a half years.  The clock starts to tick at the very moment your surgeon committed negligence, whether or not you knew the doctor made a mistake.  There are some exceptions to this time frame, so make sure your attorney knows your unique circumstances.

After you contact and retain a medical malpractice attorney, you will authorize him or her to have access to your medical records.  These records will be reviewed and the exact moment of negligence will be identified.

Once the attorney has enough information to state a valid complaint, the attorney will file a summons and complaint with the local court clerk and have the same served upon the negligent doctor.  The doctor must respond to the complaint with a formal answer or else risk defaulting on the claim.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.