Brooklyn Attorneys: Preventing Medical Malpractice

At Lozner & Mastropietro, in Brooklyn, New York, our attorneys are committed to preventing medical malpractice and the grief it brings to families. Our lawyers and staff have prepared suggestions every person should follow to ensure the highest quality of medical care possible.

If you have any questions about medical negligence, please contact our office and make arrangements to speak with a member of the firm.

How You Can Help Protect Yourself

Be involved in your health care.
Preventing medical malpractice requires that you take part in every decision about your health care. Patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Make sure someone, such as your primary doctor, is in charge of your care.

Tell your doctor everything and ask your doctor questions.
Make sure all your doctors know all drugs and remedies you are taking. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements. Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medications. Make sure you can read any prescription your doctor writes for you. Ask for information about your medicines in language you can understand, both to your doctor and pharmacist. Ask your doctor to explain the results of any tests taken.

Understand your medications.
Make sure you know how to take medications, how long to take them, and what the side effects are. Ask what food, drink or activities to avoid while taking your medication. To avoid pharmaceutical errors, ask the pharmacist if this is the medicine your doctor prescribed. Ask the pharmacist about directions on your medicine labels to ensure you understand them. Ask for written information about the side effects your medication can cause; this way you will be better prepared if something unexpected happens.

Understand your surgery or hospitalization.
Choose a hospital that performs the type of surgery or procedure you will have often. Make sure that your doctor and surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done. Ask your doctor or surgeon to explain the procedure in terms you can understand. Make sure the surgeon explains all the risks involved in your procedure. Ask all health-care workers (nurses, doctors, technicians) who have direct contact with you whether they have washed their hands. When discharged, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will be following at home.

Get a second opinion.
If you are not comfortable with a doctor’s diagnosis or feel rushed into making a decision, get the opinion of another doctor. Find out if there are alternative procedures or treatments for your condition.

Understand your health insurance.
If you have health insurance or are a member of a health group, read your plan contract or ask your plan administrator to explain what benefits you are entitled to and what treatments are covered.

Preventing Medical Malpractice: Contact Our Brooklyn Law Office

At Lozner & Mastropietro, our attorneys are dedicated to preventing medical malpractice and hospital negligence, and to helping victims recover full compensation through personal injury lawsuits. If you have been injured or a loved one killed as a result of medical or hospital negligence, please call 917-920-9431 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Malpractice and Hospital Negligence