Have you ever wondered if your doctor has been sued? Not many people walk into the office for their annual physical or a teeth cleaning and think about lawsuits. But, this is something everyone should consider every now and then. Even though there’s plenty of training, technology, and rules in place; a doctor could still make a mistake, which could lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit. Plenty of doctors will go their entire careers without facing one lawsuit. There’s no guarantee that your doctor has a clean past. So, what can you do if your doctor has been sued? Let’s take a look at the answer to that question in today’s post.
Research Your Doctor’s Background
Lawsuits are public record. This means that you can legally research the background of your doctor. All you need to do is search the public records using your doctor’s name or the name of their practice. It’s highly likely that your doctor’s name will come back completely clean. If not, you can dig a little bit further to find out why the lawsuit was filed and if it has been settled or if it was dropped by the plaintiff.
Should you come across a lawsuit that names your doctor or their practice as a defendant, you need to read the lawsuit. Find out what is mentioned in the lawsuit. This information will help you determine what went wrong. The lawsuit could’ve been filed because the doctor defaulted on a loan. The doctor might have been involved in an argument with a family member over real estate.
If you read a lawsuit filed against your doctor and find out that the doctor was sued because of the way he or she runs the office, handles patients, or has been accused of medical malpractice, you will need to consider your options as to how you should move forward.
Review the Progress of the Lawsuits
The actual progress of the lawsuit is where you should be concerned. After reading through the lawsuits to determine if there is a reason to question your doctor you will want to look at the progress of the lawsuits. Did any of the concerning lawsuits actually reach trial? Has your doctor settled a high number of lawsuits? Were any of the lawsuits dismissed? Depending on the outcome of the lawsuits you can decide on whether or not you will stay with your doctor.
Make a Decision on Care
You can now make a decision on the care you seek from your doctor. You ultimately need to be comfortable with the care the doctor provides you. If none of the lawsuits are concerning you can stay with the doctor. If there are medical malpractice issues in any of the lawsuits you need to consider leaving the doctor for a new one. This decision could be very difficult if you’ve been with the doctor for a lengthy period, but it could wind up saving you a lot of money and prevent you from suffering an injury.
Consult an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you aren’t sure how to investigate your doctor when it comes to lawsuits you should consult with an attorney. An attorney will be able to conduct an in-depth investigation into your doctor and the outcome of the lawsuits.
Contact a Haddon Township Medical Malpractice Attorney for a Consultation About Your Doctor Negligence Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured due to medical malpractice in New Jersey? Then you need to talk to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible for guidance on how to proceed. The Haddonfield medical malpractice attorneys at The Law Offices of Andres, Berger & Tran, P.C are prepared to assist you with your legal claim. We represent victims of negligent surgeons, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists throughout New Jersey, including Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Woodbury and Mt. Holly. Call us today at 856-317-6558 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Our main office is located at 264 Kings Highway East Haddonfield, NJ 08033.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.