Medical Malpractice In Columbia Sc: Whodunnit?

Are you trying to find out if a doctor or healthcare facility has been convicted of medical malpractice in Columbia SC

? Perhaps you are trying to find a new healthcare provider, or are concerned with the care you received for a specific injury or illness? Where do you look to get information? Negligent care or misconduct by healthcare providers is an all-too-common occurrence. How does your prospective or current physician measure up?

Researching for Upcoming Care

There are many reasons why people need to find a new healthcare provider. Maybe they are new in town, or giving birth to their first child. Perhaps they are not happy with their current physician or need to see a specialist. Regardless of the reason, it is always a good idea to do your homework when choosing a new healthcare provider.

The first thing you should do when checking out a new doctor is to contact your state licensing board to see whether his or her professional licenses are up to date and in good standing. You can also contact the state Health Department to see if they monitor complaints against specific providers.

Second, the South Carolina Judicial Department has a search feature on their website that will allow you to search court records in any county in the state. This is an easy way to see whether a case for medical malpractice in Columbia SC has been brought against a specific physician or business. It will show you whether the case has been settled or dismissed, and will also give a list of other parties that were involved in the lawsuit.

Perhaps your findings with the state agencies are inconclusive, or you have uncovered information that you find concerning. What next? You can choose to hire a company that will inform you whether any disciplinary action has been taken against a specific doctor. Often their fees are relatively small. This may be a good idea if a healthcare professional has recently relocated from another state, because it is a more comprehensive search.

If you expect to be treated at a hospital or other large healthcare facility for surgery or childbirth, do not overlook the anesthesiologists or other specialists that may also be giving you direct care. Some of these fields, such as anesthesiology, have a high incidence of lawsuits. Yet many, if not most, people preparing for a procedure do not research the anesthesiologists employed by the hospital or facility where they expect to receive their care. You can obtain a list of the people who may be providing you services from the doctor performing the procedure. You can also contact the hospital directly.

Concerns about Care You Have Already Received

Perhaps you have already had surgery, delivered a baby, or had another type of healthcare procedure. Do you have concerns about the treatment or diagnosis you received? Was an incorrect diagnosis or medication given? Was your child injured unnecessarily? You want to know whether your concerns are valid.

If you are concerned about care you or a loved one have already received, you can take the same steps mentioned above to determine whether doctors or facilities have had complaints filed against them in the past. Although most doctors will have a legal suit filed against them at some point in their careers, keep in mind that not all lawsuits are valid. An accusation of misconduct does not make anyone guilty. What you are looking for is a pattern of complaints for negligence or misconduct lodged against the same people or facility over time.

While you are doing your research, do not forget that everyone makes mistakes. The type of mistake and how healthcare professionals conduct themselves afterwards will help you determine whether it should be pursued legally. If in doubt, consult a lawyer specializing in medical malpractice in Columbia SC. A local lawyer will provide you with the best care in most legal matters.

by: Bryan Wallace

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