Medical malpractice injuries happen more often in Rhode Island than you might think, and they can have catastrophic consequences. If you believe your doctor or another healthcare provider injured you, take swift action to protect your rights. Here’s what to do:
- Get a Second Medical Opinion – See a different doctor as soon as possible. Your health comes first, and another provider can help correct the issue or prevent it from getting worse. Your second doctor might also help confirm whether something went wrong during your previous care.
- Request Your Medical Records – Ask your first doctor for copies of your full medical file, including test results, treatment notes, and prescriptions. These records are crucial for a malpractice claim, as they can show what treatments you received, when they happened, and who was responsible.
- Document What Happened – Write down everything you remember about the treatment that caused your injuries. If possible, include dates, the names of the doctors or nurses involved, and any symptoms or changes in your condition. Photos of visible injuries or complications can also help your legal case.
- Keep Track of Your Expenses – Save all bills related to your medical treatment. Malpractice cases often involve significant financial losses, and robust records will help show how your doctor’s mistake has affected your life.
- Don’t Discuss the Case on Social Media – Avoid posting anything about your experience online. Insurance companies and defense lawyers may use your posts against you.
- Avoid Talking to the Other Party’s Insurance Company – If an insurance representative contacts you, don’t give a statement or accept any payment before speaking to a lawyer. An insurer can use anything you say to deny your claim or limit your compensation.
- Talk to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer – Rhode Island has specific rules and deadlines for medical malpractice cases. An experienced lawyer can review your situation, explain your legal options, and help you take the next steps.
How Do You Know Your Injury Resulted from Medical Malpractice?
Doctors sometimes make mistakes, and not every mistake amounts to malpractice. For your injury to qualify as malpractice, it’s not enough to show that your doctor erred. You must show that their actions don’t align with what another doctor with similar training and experience would have done in the same circumstances. Some common examples of medical malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosing or failing to diagnose a serious condition
- Performing surgery on the wrong body part
- Leaving surgical tools or sponges inside the patient
- Prescribing the wrong medication or incorrect dosage
- Failing to monitor a patient after surgery or during treatment
- Not obtaining informed consent before a procedure
- Causing birth injuries through poor prenatal care or delivery mistakes
- Ignoring test results or failing to order necessary tests
Compensation for Medical Malpractice Injuries in Rhode Island
Unlike many states, Rhode Island does not cap your compensation in a medical malpractice claim. With sufficient evidence, your compensation could include money for:
- Current and future medical expenses to fix or mitigate your injury
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
Deadline to File a Rhode Island Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
In Rhode Island, the usual deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is three years from your injury date. However, you want to give your lawyer as much time as possible to build your case without a looming deadline. Furthermore, waiting to talk to an attorney could mean that crucial evidence disappears or deteriorates.
You might have extra time to file a lawsuit if you didn’t discover your injuries, but don’t count on it. Call a Rhode Island medical malpractice lawyer immediately to preserve your right to compensation.
Contact Our Rhode Island Medical Malpractice Attorneys
DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., has served Rhode Island for over 40 years and recovered over $40 million in compensation for our clients. Let our team fight for you while you focus on healing. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.