Medical malpractice is more common than you imagine, and countless patients deal with it every year. You can imagine the pain you may suffer when a practitioner’s negligence worsens your condition. The situation is even more traumatic because you trust a doctor who fails to live up to it. The implications go beyond the physical suffering as you end up dealing with emotional and financial issues in the long run.
Medical malpractice is perhaps the most taxing of all personal injury cases for a victim. Moreover, they are often difficult to prove, specifically when you are pitted against a reputed practitioner. Besides the legal aspect, you must focus on self-care to bounce back and resume normalcy. Let us share some self-care tips to get life on track after facing medical malpractice.
Switch your provider
Before anything else, you must switch your provider to ensure proper treatment for your condition. Victims often end up with major health issues after a diagnostic or surgical error, so dealing with it should be the top priority. Ask for a referral or find a doctor online to get immediate help because it can be life-saving in case of severe complications. Switching providers is also crucial from a legal perspective. If the guilty doctor suspects you are contemplating legal action, they may try to manipulate your medical records to affect your claim’s outcome. Get help sooner than later to speed up recovery and ensure legal safety.
Understand the psychological issues
Dealing with medical malpractice is not easy, and the psychological impact may be as daunting as the physical one. You may feel a mix of emotions, from anger and resentment to blame and regret. A sense of injustice is another factor when you find yourself facing a preventable illness or sudden injury only because of inadequate treatment and lack of care. The feelings of self-blame are destructive as they make it hard to move on. In more severe cases, victims encounter PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) due to dire health complications. You must understand the possible psychological issues and seek professional help to address them.
Seek justice through legal recourse
Perhaps, the most crucial aspect of self-care after medical malpractice is to ensure that the guilty practitioner has to pay for your pain and suffering. The best way to do it is by seeking justice through legal recourse. You must look for medical malpractice attorney representation sooner than later so that you have a strong case to present in court. Proving your suffering is easy if you can show the physical suffering to the jury rather than only validate it through the paperwork. Moreover, you have to follow the statute of limitations for filing the claim depending on the law in your state. Knowing that the negligent doctor will be punished sooner or later gives you peace of mind, so it is a form of self-care.
Focus on financial recovery
The financial blow of medical malpractice is often massive as you may have to spend big money on your treatment following the negligence. You may also have to stay away from work and lose your wages during the recovery phase. In worst-case scenarios, patients find themselves dealing with a disability that affects their employability in the long run. Focusing on financial recovery becomes a part of self-care for such victims. Fortunately, your compensation claim sets you on the road to financial recovery as it covers the entire expenses and losses caused by the negligence. The negligent practitioner has to reimburse you for treatment and pain and suffering caused by the breach of duty of care.
Keep a journal
The healing journey after medical malpractice is often long and daunting, and the process may take years. Memories fade over time, so there is a chance of losing track of the details of the incident. Experts recommend keeping a journal to record your injuries and follow-up care. Also, preserve your medical records to ensure having proper evidence to strengthen your claim. Besides the legal benefits, journaling does wonders for self-care as it lets you vent your feelings during the recovery process. You can also talk to a loved one, seek community support, or see a mental healthcare specialist to deal with the negative thoughts and patterns.
Recovering from medical malpractice takes more than proper treatment. You must also do your bit with self-care as the problems go beyond the physical injury. Follow these steps and adhere to the doctor’s orders to embark on the road to recovery after a severe medical error.
