If you or a loved one is ever injured in an accident, it is very possible that you will need to seek immediate medical treatment. In the event that your injuries are catastrophic, it is likely that you will not have a say in the matter: emergency medical crews may transport you via ambulance to an emergency room. However, most injury victims get to decide exactly where they will initially go for medical treatment. In fact, you may wind up driving yourself to the hospital. But be very careful about where you ultimately opt to go for medical treatment because the costs of medical care are extremely high. A visit to the emergency room can set you back several thousand dollars and put you in an awful bind when it comes time to pay your other bills.
As the bills pile up and you find yourself unable to cover your monthly expenses and other financial obligations, you may struggle to find a solution that works for you and your family. In the worst cases, overwhelming medical debt can lead to bankruptcy. Beyond that, the stress caused by your financial situation could potentially exacerbate your medical problems and make your recovery even more difficult. That’s why you should not wait to contact a qualified personal injury attorney with whom you can discuss your situation and explore your legal options for getting financial compensation. After all, it’s not right that you should have to pay the price for someone else’s negligence.
For a life-threatening injury or illness, you should probably get immediate medical attention at a hospital emergency room. For all other types of injuries or illnesses, however, you can save considerable expense and time by seeking out an alternative medical treatment option. Here are a few alternatives to hospital emergency rooms:
Urgent Care Center
An urgent care center is a medical facility or clinic that provides similar treatment to that which you would get from your primary care physician at a doctor’s office. Although a hospital emergency room is still your best bet when you require immediate medical treatment for a life-threatening situation, an urgent care center may be a superior option when it comes to getting treatment for a less-serious medical emergency. For instance, if you suffer from a broken bone, a cut or laceration, minor breathing discomfort, abdominal pain, fever or cold, or an allergic reaction, you can potentially save a lot of time, and money, by visiting an urgent care center instead of an emergency room.
Limited Services Clinic
Many local pharmacies and retail stores have walk-in clinics. These types of clinics offer limited services, but they are usually staffed by trained nurse practitioners who can assist you with minor ailments such as a sore throat, the flu, or an allergic reaction.
Walk-In Doctor’s Office
If your primary care physician is unavailable, or if you don’t have a primary care physician, you may still be able to get help for an injury or illness by going to a walk-in doctor’s office. Since these types of facilities don’t require you to schedule an appointment, you should be able to drop by at your convenience and get the medical assistance you need.
If you or a loved one has suffered as the result of a negligent doctor in New Jersey, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Your first step should be to speak with a qualified NJ medical malpractice attorney about your situation. Contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Andres, Berger & Tran now to learn more.
