Doctors and physicians take an oath to do no harm. Sometimes, an oversight in your medical care does just that. There are standards of care that doctors follow. Deviating from these standards care can cause permanent injury to you or your loved one.
The experienced and knowledgeable attorneys at McEnery Price Messey & Sullivan will conduct a thorough investigation of the care you received (or did not receive) to determine whether you have a medical malpractice case.
Can I find out if my doctor has other malpractice claims?
In Connecticut you can find out if your doctor has paid money to resolve a malpractice claim within the past 10 years by looking at their physician profile on the Connecticut Department of Public Health website. The physician profile will also indicate whether any disciplinary action has been taken against your doctor in the state of Connecticut.
Am I allowed to have a copy of my medical records from the doctor’s office?
Yes. Patients have a right to have a copy of their medical records. Your doctor’s office may require you to sign a form which gives the doctor permission to copy and release the records to you.
Can my doctor charge me for copies of my own records?
Yes. Providers are permitted to charge up to 45 cents per page for copying costs. By law, hospitals can charge up to 65 cents per page. If the lawyers at McEnery Price Messey & Sullivan need to obtain your medical records to investigate your medical malpractice case, we will get them and advance these costs.
If my doctor made a mistake, does that mean I win?
Not necessarily. We need to prove that the doctor made a mistake and also that your doctor’s negligence was the cause of your harm. For example, some types of aggressive cancer are almost always fatal no matter when they are diagnosed. If doctors make a mistake and delay the diagnosis of this type of cancer, the delay is not likely to be the cause of the death. It is best to contact a medical malpractice attorney who can conduct a thorough medical and legal investigation into your injuries.
If I sue my doctor, will I have to give a deposition?
Yes. In most medical malpractice cases, all of the parties are deposed. This means that the patient/plaintiff will be deposed by the doctor’s attorney, and we will depose the doctor. We will be with you at your deposition and will prepare you for it ahead of time. The defendant doctor generally does not attend the plaintiff’s deposition.
