According to a study by John Hopkins Medicine researchers, medical errors should be number three on the list of causes of death in the United States.
According to a study by John Hopkins Medicine researchers, medical errors should be number three on the list of causes of death in the United States.
The study, based on an analysis of prior research, estimates that over 250,000 people in the US die each year as a result of medical errors. This would put medical errors right behind heart disease and cancer on the official list of causes of death compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Collecting Medical Records
When it comes to putting a strong medical malpractice together, collecting the appropriate medical records is one of the first key steps that need to be taken. The history of who treated you, how and when you were treated, what changes occurred in your medical profile and other factors will ultimately help in determining who is liable for any injuries or harm you may have sustained.
Your legal counselor will help you in compiling the required information so that you are able to build a strong case. However, it is always better to be prepared before stepping into your lawyer’s office.
HIPAA and Medical Records Privacy
If you are going to share your confidential medical details or information, you will need to sign a declaration called the medical records release form.
The law requires that both health care providers as well as insurance companies keep all your health information and medical records strictly confidential, emphasizing on ensuring protection of personally identifiable data. These requirements were codified under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in the year1996. Essentially, the release form acts as a sort of waiver from liability under this Act.
Various Types of Medical Records
Although your injury may be physical in nature, your lawyer may also request to obtain your mental health records. This is because you can also seek for additional claim for pain and suffering. The reports may also be asked to ascertain if any medication you were taking for a mental condition and another drug interacted and caused your injury.
Other types of medical records that could be relevant to your case include medical invoices, insurance information, prescription drug information and other similar documentation.
Apart from medical records, your attorney will ask you to provide evidence of lost wages or any other hardship or costs that are related to your injury. In some health insurance policies, lost profits or wages (if you own a business) are covered, but your lawyer will need to prove that any time off work or loss of wages was a result of the injury you suffered due to medical negligence.
If you or a loved one has been injured or harmed due to medical error or negligence, you should immediately seek the help of the qualified and experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000.
Bring in your paperwork. We want to see those documents and hear what you have to say. We want to know if your case is viable or not. Medical malpractice cases are time consuming and expensive but if your case is viable we will carry this torch for you. The first meeting is free. In fact, we only take a percentage of the final settlement or verdict so really you never pay us at all. Call RMFW Law today!
