Filing a medical malpractice claim can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re still dealing with the aftermath of an injury or illness caused by medical negligence. A common question many patients face is whether they should continue seeing the doctor they are filing their claim against. The answer depends on various factors, but the decision can have significant implications for both your health and your legal case.
Prioritizing Your Health
First and foremost, your health should come before anything else. If you are still under the care of the doctor in question and they are effectively treating your condition, stopping treatment abruptly could jeopardize your well-being.
However, if you have lost trust in your doctor or believe they are not providing appropriate care, seeking a second opinion or transferring your care to another provider is often the best course of action.
How Continuing Care May Negatively Affect Your Case
Staying with the same doctor during a medical malpractice case can complicate things. It might give the impression that you still trust their medical judgment, which could weaken your claim.
Additionally, the doctor might hesitate to document your condition or make recommendations, knowing they are being sued.
When to Seek a New Doctor
Here are some circumstances when switching doctors might be in your best interesets:
- Loss of trust: If you doubt your doctor’s competence or feel uncomfortable with their care, a new provider can give you peace of mind and better treatment options.
- Conflict of interest: The doctor might be hesitant to provide unbiased care while under legal scrutiny.
- Case strength: A fresh perspective from another medical professional could bolster your case by providing an objective evaluation of your injuries and the original doctor’s errors.
Legal Considerations
Switching doctors is not inherently detrimental to your case, but it’s essential to document your reasons for doing so.
Courts understand that trust is a critical component of the doctor-patient relationship. If you choose to change doctors, your attorney can help ensure that this decision does not negatively impact your case.
How an Attorney Can Help
If you are unsure whether to stop seeing your doctor, consulting with an experienced medical malpractice attorney is crucial. They can:
- Review the details of your case,
- Advise on whether switching providers is in your best interest, and
- Help you find a new doctor, if needed, who can provide expert testimony about your condition.
Contact Otorowski & Golden, PLLC
Please know that our firm is here to help if you suffered an injury because of a medical professional’s malpractice. Otorowski & Golden, PLLC provides free consultations to all our potential clients. The attorneys at our law firm also have over 120 years of combined experience representing injured parties in medical malpractice cases. They never back down to insurers and fight for their clients’ interests every step of the way. Do yourself a favor and contact them now for the quality legal representation you deserve.