Steps to Take in an Atlanta Outpatient Surgery Case
After experiencing an instance of medical malpractice, you may be unsure how to proceed. After noticing a problem related to a recent procedure, your main priority should be to seek medical attention. Once the issue is taken care of, you may benefit from speaking with a lawyer about your legal options.
An experienced attorney can help you determine whether you have a valid negligence claim against the other party. Reach out to our firm to learn more about the steps to take in an Atlanta outpatient surgery case.
The Patient’s Responsibility Upon Leaving the Ambulatory Surgery Center
When patients leave a surgery center, they generally receive discharge instructions. These instructions typically involve filling prescriptions and taking the medication as prescribed. Patients may also be expected to manage their wound care and check for signs of infection or other problems.
Often, the medical provider requires the patient to identify a caretaker or other person available to aid in the immediate post-operative period. It is the patient’s responsibility to follow those instructions. Those who do not adhere to the medical provider’s guidelines may have a higher risk of complications.
However, an individual who follows all discharge instructions may still experience issues. In these cases, the steps taken after noticing the problem can significantly impact the outcome of an outpatient surgery case.
Knowing When to Seek Medical Attention
Patients should seek medical attention if they are experiencing any of the signs explained in the discharge paperwork and should follow the instructions in the discharge paperwork regarding when to seek medical attention. Common symptoms to be aware of include:
- Fever,
- Unusual discharge at the surgical site, and
- Unusual pain
Any post-operative patient who feels there is something wrong should go to a hospital or emergency room immediately. Individuals who are unable to do that should call their doctor’s office to determine if what they are experiencing is normal. It is always better to err on the side of caution than to ignore a potential problem.
Meeting with an Attorney in Atlanta Following the Incident
After receiving the appropriate medical attention, injured parties should reach out to a seasoned attorney. A legal professional could help individuals assess the situation and determine whether they have a legitimate claim. When first meeting with the lawyer, patients should give a thorough and honest account of what happened. This includes providing contact information for any potential witnesses.
During the interview process, the attorney may ask questions about the injured party’s medical history and condition prior to the procedure to gain a complete picture of the incident. It is essential that patients answer all questions completely to the best of their knowledge. Giving the lawyer all the information he or she needs to analyze the case is a vital step in Atlanta outpatient surgery cases.
Gathering Evidence to Prove Liability in an Outpatient Surgery Claim
Collecting all relevant evidence is essential to proving the negligence of the other party. Evidence can include medical records, witness statements, and bills documenting the patient’s losses.
Unfortunately, requesting records from a healthcare facility can be difficult for patients to do on their own. However, skilled attorneys are aware of medical providers’ requirements to produce records in a timely manner. Lawyers are also familiar with the excuses that these facilities will often give to avoid providing the documents.
Legal counsel could help the injured party receive the documents through the HITECH Act. This federal law requires healthcare providers to keep their records electronically and provide them to patients in a cost-efficient manner, such as on a CD. In this stage of the ambulatory center negligence case, the injured party’s role is to sign the forms required to allow the lawyer to receive the medical records.
Discuss the Steps to Take in an Atlanta Outpatient Surgery Case
Navigating a medical malpractice case is difficult, but you do not have to handle your legal claim alone. Our dedicated attorneys could guide you through the legal system to make the process as simple as possible. Get in touch with a legal professional to talk about the steps to take in an Atlanta outpatient surgery case. Contact our firm today to schedule your free case review.