CHICAGO, IL – If you have suffered at the hands of a healthcare professional, there is a good possibility that you will have to undergo a physical examination when pursuing a claim for medical malpractice. In most cases in Illinois, patients have a two-year deadline to bring a medical malpractice lawsuit to the court. The clock starts ticking the day the patient discovers or could have discovered the medical negligence. In some cases, exceptions to the medical malpractice statutes of limitations may exist.
The point of requiring a physical exam is to get an objective determination of the injuries, but it’s important to understand how the findings may affect your case. A Chicago, Illinois medical malpractice lawyer will support you throughout the process, although basic tips may help.
What is Considered Medical Malpractice in Illinois?
There are several ways that medical malpractice cases can arise in Illinois. It’s important to know that a medical error can be made by more than just a doctor or a surgeon. Other healthcare professionals can be held accountable including nurses, psychologists, anesthesiologists, emergency medical care professionals, pharmacists, physical therapists or chiropractors.
Some of the most common medical mistakes that occur include:
- Misdiagnosis
- Errors with medication
- Failure to diagnose
- Unnecessary tests or treatment
- Delayed treatment
- Inadequate follow-up after treatments
- Uncoordinated care
- Surgical and anesthesia mistakes
- Healthcare-acquired infections
Any of these mistakes could constitute medical malpractice; however, it’s important to understand that not all medical mistakes involve the negligence of a medical provider.
In a medical malpractice case, you may need to be medically evaluated to corroborate that the injury being complained of does exist. You must comply with any request unless you file a written objective and provide the reason or reasons for your objection.
Tips for Getting Through the Physical Exam
The doctor will gather information and assess your overall appearance and presentation. You should anticipate questions about contributing factors with a medical malpractice case, smoking or drug use. A skilled lawyer will prepare you with specific advice, but remember the following tips:
- Be careful what you say regardless of where you are in the facility. Staff may overhear you in the waiting room and could inform the insurance company of what they heard which can hurt your case.
- You should always answer the doctor’s questions directly; however, do not volunteer any information they haven’t asked for.
- Let your medical records speak for themselves. Never speculate about an area of diagnosis or treatment.
Trust Our Chicago, Illinois Medical Malpractice Attorneys to Guide You Through the Legal Process
You will likely need to do a physical exam for a medical malpractice claim and the Dinizulu Law Group will be at your side to provide essential legal support. To learn more about our services, please contact our Chicago office to schedule a consultation with a skilled medical malpractice lawyer by calling (312) 384-1920 or by filling out this form and we will contact you.
