Doctors, nurses and our state-of-the-art medical facilities are amazing, and work miracles on a daily basis. But all the people involved in your care are just that: people. And one thing you can count on is that people make mistakes. That’s why doctors have medical malpractice insurance.
Helping Miracles: How to Protect Yourself
In a medical setting, many things will be out of your hands. And that’s how it should be, since the professionals treating you have extensive training that you do not. But here are some simple things you and your loved ones can do to help the pros and make sure that even in the busiest hospital, your safety comes first.
1. Be respectful, but be assertive. Your life is in the hands of hard-working men and women who are doing their best, hour after hour. Thanking them, respecting them, just being nice to them is hugely important. But at the same time, it’s okay for you to clearly and assertively state your needs and concerns, and to follow up if acceptable action isn’t taken.
2. Learn about your condition. You may not want to know all the gory details, but knowing even a little can make difference. For example, it’s surprising how often doctors operate on the wrong limb. Even if you only know which is the correct side of your body, you can take action if nurses begin to prep the wrong one.
3. Ask questions. If you don’t understand why something is happening (or isn’t happening), ask! Why did the medicine change? Where is the doctor that treated me yesterday? When will my bandage be changed? Of course, if there’s a crisis, let the team do its job first, then follow up.
4. Take notes. Whether it the medicines you need to take (including the names, doses and times to take them), exercises you need to do, or warning signs to be on the lookout for, it’s likely you won’t remember key pieces of information. Get a notebook and write everything down, or have someone there to write it down for you.
5. Take an active role in your treatment. At the end of the day, you and your family are your best advocates while you are being treated. Try your best not to let the chaos, the boredom, the anxiety and the pain of a medical setting distract you from your number one job: taking care of yourself so you can get better.
Recovering from Mishaps: How to Protect Your Future
Frustratingly, no matter how many people try their best, accidents happen. We’ve all heard the horror stories; maybe you have a medical malpractice tale of your own. And in the awful event it happens to you or a loved one, it’s time to turn to a different kind of professional: the experienced team at Avanzino & Moreno.
That’s because, when it’s time to ensure you get reasonable compensation for your injuries, you need a legal team that will look out for your interests. Hospitals and insurance companies have dozens of lawyers to defend their interests (and defend their money). Only an experienced firm like Avanzino & Moreno will have the ability to bring your case to a successful conclusion and try to get you the compensation you deserve, covering doctor’s bills, ongoing treatments and pain and suffering. And we pride ourselves on treating every client with respect, dignity and compassion, like a member of the family.
If you are preparing for a hospital visit, review the list above and protect yourself. And if you or a loved one think you have experienced medical malpractice, call us at (718) 802-1616 and receive a free consultation. Together, we may be able to help you recover.
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Avanzino & Moreno, LLC, offers this information solely for your entertainment. It is not legal advice and should not be considered as such. This information does not confer any promise or guarantee of outcome, monetary damages, legal services or success in any particular case.