Start with the sequence of care.
What brought you to the provider? What treatment was recommended? When did the injury or complication become apparent? Medical records and a factual timeline help distinguish what is documented from what still needs investigation.
Richardson Law Group’s practice includes medical malpractice. Contact the Covington office with the key dates, providers’ names, and a short explanation of the injury.
The records and medical assessment
A poor outcome alone does not establish negligence. The standard of care, the provider’s conduct, and the connection to the injury require medical and legal analysis. Qualified medical assessment is central to evaluating those issues.
- Identify the facilities and providers involved.
- Keep discharge instructions, test results, and treatment records.
- Write down when you first learned of the possible problem.
- Save recommendations for follow-up care.
Continue to obtain appropriate medical care. A legal inquiry does not replace treatment or medical advice.
Medical claims have separate procedures.
Louisiana malpractice claims may require a medical review panel before a lawsuit. Provider status and the nature of the claim affect that process. Special deadlines also apply, so do not use a general car-accident deadline to decide how long you have.
Tell the office about any record request, provider complaint, or pending proceeding. Those steps do not necessarily preserve a legal claim.
See Louisiana’s medical review panel statute and medical malpractice timing statute.