Smiley & Smiley, LLP understands that you and your family's health are important. When medical malpractice happens, the results can be devastating. Inadequate care, negligence, and misdiagnosis can lead to detrimental and sometimes fatal results. When this happens, you could be faced with hardships like extensive medical bills, funeral expenses, and much more. If you think you have been, or are a victim of medical malpractice, here is what you should do.

• Get Your Medical Records

Your medical records are going to be the front line in your case of malpractice. You will want the dates of past appointments, complete with the notes from these appointments and what happened at them. If you were diagnosed with anything specific, obtain the documentation. Make sure the records are complete and not missing any information like procedures you had, medications you were prescribed and follow up care directions.

• Keep a Journal

Did you tell your doctor something that he ignored? Did you develop a new symptom, or did a previous symptom escalate and nothing was done? Write it all down in a journal with dates, times, and who you spoke to. Unfortunate as it seems, if it didn't happen on paper, it's hard to prove that it happened at all.

• Switch Your Doctor

Seeing another doctor to get a second opinion is always an option. Many people think that because they see one doctor for a period of time, they are obligated to stay with this doctor. This is not the case. If your health is on the line, you will want to take matters into your own hands and see what another professional says about your situation. Bring your previous medical records to the new doctor, as well as your journal of symptoms to see if they detect a misdiagnosis.

• Contact a Lawyer

In the state of New York, you have two and a half years to file a malpractice suit. Smiley & Smiley, LLP always offers a free consultation. Bring your documentation to our attorneys, and we will help you find out if you have a case that needs pursued. Our facility is proud to serve victims of medical malpractice. We strive to make sure they are no longer burdened by the consequences that malpractice imposes on them.

• As Always, Be Smart About Social Media

Do not take to social media to vent your feelings about facilities and doctors, as frustrated as you may be. The less you say in public, the better. It is easy to sit behind a computer and type your feelings, but you may have to face these people in court eventually, and what you have said in the past can be brought up against you on the stand. Let us do the fighting for you. Contact Smiley & Smiley, LLP for your free consultation today.