If your loved one’s doctor made a mistake that caused their condition to worsen considerably, it’s natural to feel powerless. Watching someone suffer because another party failed to exercise reasonable care is one of the most stressful scenarios you can face. In fact, in a lot of ways, it’s worse than if you were the victim of medical malpractice yourself.
Thankfully, you’re not actually powerless. There are steps you can take to support the victim, and the right measures should facilitate their recovery in the process. Read on to learn what they are:
1. Advocate for Them at Every Appointment
Going forward, you or someone in your family should attend every medical appointment with the victim. The advocate is responsible for confirming the necessity of any proposed treatments (and inquiring about the likelihood of any negative side effects or complications), logging everything that’s said, and preserving all relevant records.
It can be hard for patients to stand up for themselves, but when the role is assigned to a third party, it frees them up to focus on their health. The advocate, meanwhile, is responsible for ensuring they receive the best care possible.
2. Acknowledge Every Victory
Recovering from serious health complications is a long and winding road that often includes one step back for every two steps forward. Naturally, such a journey can wear down even the strongest individuals.
By celebrating your loved one’s milestones—minor and major—you’re marking their progress. This, in turn, will give them the motivation to keep going.
3. Monitor Their Mental Health
It’s not uncommon for victims of medical malpractice to develop mental health disorders. Not only is recovering from serious complications inherently stressful, but there is also the added element of realizing you can’t always trust providers to do right by you.
When it comes to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, early intervention is key. The sooner your loved one gets treatment, the sooner they can combat their symptoms and ultimately take back their life. As such, it’s important to monitor them closely for signs of a problem. Examples include:
- Showing little to no interest in activities they once loved,
- Isolating themselves at home and refusing to partake in any kind of social gathering,
- Losing or gaining a significant amount of weight in a fairly short period of time, and
- Having trouble sleeping or getting out of bed.
If you notice any of the above or your loved one’s demeanor seems off in some other way, arrange for them to talk to a therapist.
Discuss Your Case with a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Houston
If medical malpractice has turned your family’s life upside-down, turn to Chelsie King Garza, P.C. for help. Attorney Garza is a seasoned and strategic litigator who has been in the field for more than 18 years.
She knows what it takes to hold reckless and negligent parties accountable, and she’s not afraid to go up against even the largest medical institutions. Call 713-893-8808 or submit the Contact Form on her website to schedule a free initial consultation with this Houston medical malpractice lawyer.
