Having surgery is a major life event. Whether it is elective or life-dependant, minor or major, desired or not, every surgery carries risk. Risk of failure, lengthy recovery, and even danger of death.
1 What Is the Exact Surgical Procedure That Will Be Performed?
You may have been too nervous the first couple of times you talked to your doctor about your upcoming surgery. Perhaps you’re nervous. Or excited! Be certain you clearly understand what surgical procedure you’ll be undergoing. Take notes. Document the conversation if the doctor allows. Ask for any handouts or links to sites that the doctor may recommend.If the doctor performs a different process than what you agreed to, then you may file a suit for medical malpractice and battery. Given your consent to a surgery, and receiving another, is not considered consent.
2. What Are the Risks and Complications?
Have a full understanding of what to expect after the procedure is over. Not only will that help in preparing for the days, weeks, or even months post-op, but that will also provide you with a good indication of whether the procedure was performed correctly or not. If you are told there should be no complications after an eye operation, but you can not see five days afterwards, perhaps something went awry, and you should seek medical aid immediately. And perhaps also hire a lawyer to check into a medical malpractice claim. Evidence collected sooner, rather than later, will remain crucial to a successful malpractice recovery.
It’s an unfortunate fact that not all medical malpractice cases are accepted by lawyers. Sometimes, only those that are a”slam dunk” are taken on, since fees are only recovered after a successful suit. On occasion, doctors and hospitals may absorb the price of any unforeseen risks and complications (legal language just shy of medical malpractice). In case you’ve asked about the risks up front, chances are greater that doctors and hospitals understand that you have been informed and understand what to expect, and what not to expect. They may therefore be more likely to pay for any extra costs associated with botched procedures.
3. What Are the Costs? Work with your doctor and medical staff to ascertain your precise out-of-pocket expenses before having surgery. You will recover best in peace, which often requires knowing how much you’ll be expected to pay. The medical staff should be accustomed to contacting insurance companies, such as medicaid, prior to performing surgeries to receive pre-authorization. They may not be able to give you a precise figure for all costs, but should be able to give you a fairly accurate quote and what is included in that quote, such as follow-up visits, hospital stays, anesthesia, etc..If your invoice arrives, and it doesn’t mesh with what you were told, you’ve got some work ahead of you. But if you spoke with the staff ahead, you’re prepared for this battle. You can dispute your bill with the surgeon, and with your medical insurer. If you can not get it lowered through these paths, file an appeal with your insurance company and with your healthcare provider’s advocate. If none of these routes show successful, contact a local medical care lawyer that specializes in medical billing disputes.And if you feel you are the victim of medical malpractice or medical attack, contact a local medical malpractice attorney, who can listen to you situation and offer you the help you deserve and need.
If you have been a victim of medical malpractice in California, contact our medical malpractice lawyers at 800-816-1529.
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