How to Navigate a Medical Negligence Claim
Being a victim of medical negligence can be a difficult thing to accept. Healthcare professionals treat thousands of people every year. Needless to say, the care received at hospitals is definitely exceptional, but once in a while things do go wrong, sometimes fatally wrong. That’s when you take the proper steps to find out what went wrong and why. That’s why iCare Navigator is here to help you.
iCare Navigator can guide you through the process to file for a medical negligence claim. So that you may have your claim settled quickly and be able to move on with your life. But before that, let’s understand the concept first. A medical negligence claim is the process by which a patient sues their medical attendants for compensation. It is not about professional conduct or terms of service.
It can seem like a daunting process so here are a few easy tips that you need to keep in mind to help you assess whether you should pursue a legal claim:
1 Be factually correct
Filing in a medical negligence claim requires you to ensure and collect all factual information and work efficiently with patience and skill. When acquiring all of the proper facts, you can avoid false accusation claims.
2 Be safe
If you have lost a loved one, you must consider yourself before going after those involved. You will have to be emotionally strong. Take it one day at a time as to not over exert yourself.
3 Get in touch with a good lawyer
The good news is that you have many options. Get in touch with a number of experienced lawyers, but be sure to find out if they charge for initial consultations. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like. Ask him/her if help is possible and how much it would cost. If you need a referral, iCare Navigator would be pleased to share a list of lawyers who specialize in Medical Injury.
4 Check Medical Records – Ministry of Health
You must do a thorough study of provincial records for any other past lapses on the part of the medical practitioner or facility. If there is evidence of repeated negligence, it adds volume to your case.
5 File when ready
You must file the case when you and your lawyer are completely ready and papers are in order. This ensures you have a much better chance of winning your case.
iCare Navigator is a Healthcare Advocacy and Navigation Service that provides support and education to patients and their family members about the ‘ins and outs’ of the healthcare system. We do not file medical negligence claims; we only offer guidance in the filing process.
For further information please get in touch with our experts on phone (905) 491-6941 or log onto to our website www.icarehomehealth.ca and let us support you get through this testing time with ease.
Mary Gavel is an expert in Healthcare Risk Management, Patient Safety, Patient Relations and Privacy. She has worked in various positions including as a Senior Advisor – Patient Relations at Trillium Health Partners, Chief Privacy Patient Affairs Officer at Women’s College Hospital and Director – Risk Management and Patient Relations at Rouge Valley Health System.