How to Report Medical Malpractice in PA
If you’ve been hurt, or if you’ve lost a loved one, because of a surgery mistake or other form of medical malpractice then you have important rights. You have both the right to financial damages to help you and your family recover, and the power to help other patients, and their families, avoid similar fates.
In order to help yourself, and others, it is important to know how to report medical malpractice in Pennsylvania and to know what you might expect once you have made the report.
Filing a Complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of State
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of State will investigate an allegation of medical malpractice against a doctor, or other medical professional, who is licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. In order to file your report, or complaint, of medical malpractice, you will need to complete a Statement of Complaint.
The Statement of Complaint will ask for general information about you and about the person whom you are reporting. It will also ask for a detailed report of your complaint, supporting documentation, and permission to access your medical records.
The State will review your complaint, and if it is within the State’s jurisdiction, it will investigate the complaint. If the State makes a finding that disciplinary action is warranted against the doctor, or other medical professional, then the professional may lose his or her license to practice medicine in Pennsylvania or be subject to lesser disciplinary actions.
Filing a Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
It is important to file a complaint with the Department of State so that dangerous doctors, or doctors who were negligent in your care, are prevented from hurting other patients. However, while the Pennsylvania Department of State has the authority to discipline the doctor, it does not have the authority to help you recover damages.
For that reason, it is important to also report any allegations of medical malpractice by filing a malpractice lawsuit. Generally, the Pennsylvania statute of limitations requires an injured party to file a lawsuit within 2 years of when the injury was known, or should have been known. The outcome of a Pennsylvania medical malpractice case may include compensation for physical, emotional and financial damages caused by the medical malpractice.
A Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help You With Your Report
There is a lot at stake when you file a medical malpractice report in Pennsylvania. You have your own future, the future of your family, and potentially the future of other patients and their families to think about. It is, therefore, important to seek the advice and assistance of experienced medical malpractice lawyers in PA.
The law firm of Anapol Schwartz has decades of experience helping Pennsylvania medical malpractice victims report their injuries. In addition to our experienced lawyers, we employ professionals with medical and nursing degrees. The combination of talents allows us to clearly present compelling evidence when we report medical malpractice and to advocate for our clients.
Please call a Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer today to discuss your individual case.