How Do I Know if I Need to Contact a Grand Rapids Medical Malpractice Attorney?

The true cause of your medical injury may seem elusive. Perhaps you have been assured by medical professionals that your injury was unavoidable and that “these things happen.” But what if you suspect that something else might have caused your medical injury? What if you believe your injury was caused by a negligent error? If this is the case, you may be wondering whether you need to contact a Grand Rapids medical malpractice attorney. This is a valid question.

At Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, we understand that your case is unique and requires personalized attention. That’s why we dedicate time to answering your questions, thoroughly reviewing your medical records, and, when appropriate, retaining medical experts to review your case. If you believe you or a loved one suffered injury because of medical negligence, call us today for a free consultation at 616-207-8825 and find out what your legal options are.

Not sure if you should call? Here are some things to consider.

The Severity of Your Injury

 Unless the malpractice is blatant and liability is admitted, medical malpractice cases are generally reserved for severe injuries. That is because they are very expensive to pursue (even though Hoffer & Sheremet advances the costs of litigation) and medical liens must be repaid. You do not want to spend two years litigating a case where you will only recover a very small amount of money. Therefore, concerns that fall under “bad customer service,” such as nurses not responding to call lights right away or aids taking hours to bring dinner, are not good for medical malpractice cases unless a serious physical injury results.

Trust Your Gut Instinct

If you believe your healthcare providers made an error, you may be correct. We are conditioned by society to place healthcare providers on a pedestal and believe they can do no wrong – but it’s a job. Everyone can make an error in their jobs. The problem is, when a doctor makes a serious error, the result for the patient is usually devastating. Healthcare providers are often fully aware when they have made serious errors – but they may not reveal this openly. Instead, they may come up with a range of different excuses. Even though you might not have medical training, you can still use your common sense to determine whether medical malpractice has occurred. Some cases are more obvious than others. For example, if the wrong leg is amputated, something has clearly gone wrong. Other instances of medical malpractice may be less obvious, but sometimes, you feel like something just isn’t right. Calling a medical malpractice lawyer can help you see if there was potential malpractice.

Get a Second Opinion

Another sound option is to get a second opinion from another medical professional. Ideally, you should choose a doctor who has no connection to the facility or organization that has committed the suspected malpractice. This independent doctor can assess your condition, listen to your story, and determine whether you might have experienced medical malpractice. A doctor may also inform you of what they would have done in the negligent doctor’s position. If you hear things like “I never would have recommended that procedure” or “this goes against protocol,” you could have suffered some form of medical malpractice.

Consider the Response from Your Doctor

How did your doctor respond after the error. Sometimes, when a healthcare provider makes an error, they admit it. But not always.

Sometimes the facility or doctor is willing to accept responsibility when they have done something wrong. In serious, or obvious cases of medical malpractice, the healthcare provider or facility may be interested in discussing pre-suit settlement.

If you are being met with combative, dismissive reactions from your healthcare provider, it could be because they messed up and don’t want to admit it. Sometimes, when healthcare providers commit malpractice, they provide patients only with vague explanations of their injuries and the cause – or they don’t mention them at all!

In any of these situations, contacting a Michigan medical malpractice lawyer can be helpful. Because we only practice malpractice law, Hoffer & Sheremet routinely deals with the same hospitals, offices, and healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit, Kalamazoo, and throughout Michigan.

Negotiating for a Fair Settlement

A healthcare provider may choose to settle with you outside of court rather than going through a full-fledged medical malpractice lawsuit. Although this does not require them to admit fault, it is usually a positive outcome for an injured patient – as it provides financial compensation for their damages without excessively long litigation and appeals or risking loss at trial.

Negotiating with a healthcare provider without a lawyer is not an advisable course of action. You may lack effective negotiation strategies, and you might end up walking away with a low settlement if you are not careful. By settling many medical malpractice cases each year, the attorneys at Hoffer & Sheremet know what a fair settlement value for your case will be. With a lawyer at your side at the negotiation table, you can avoid “lowball” offers and strive for a settlement that matches your total damages and long-term needs for recovery. Not to mention, when you settle a medical malpractice lawsuit, you must repay your health insurance company any amount it paid out for your care and treatment that was needed because of the malpractice. We have built strong relationships with many health insurance representatives and can usually get that medical lien reduced for you. That means more money in your pocket.

Contact a Grand Rapids Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

If you think you may have suffered an injury caused by medical malpractice, the only way to find out for sure is to call a qualified legal professional. Ultimately, it may be difficult to determine the true nature of your injuries without assistance from Grand Rapids medical malpractice attorneys at your side. Our experienced lawyers have seen plenty of medical injuries in the past – and we can help you understand and assess your situation. Call for a consultation with Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, today to discuss your circumstances in more detail at 616-207-8825.