What to Do First After Serious Medical Harm or an Unexpected Death
When a patient is seriously injured—or dies unexpectedly—during or after hospital care, the patient and family may feel shocked, frightened, or overwhelmed. It may be difficult to know what to do first. The following steps can help protect the patient, preserve important information, and prepare the family to seek answers. Take them one at a […]
Is the Patient Still in Danger?
When a patient’s condition worsens, the priority is preventing further harm. This is the time to speak up; don’t worry about offending someone. If the patient is having trouble breathing, is unresponsive, or is rapidly getting worse, press the call button and tell staff you need immediate help. If no one responds promptly, go directly […]
How To Obtain the Complete Medical Records
After a serious medical injury or unexpected death, request the patient’s records promptly. The patient can request their own records. After a death, the person authorized under state law to act for the deceased patient or their estate may request them. If the patient is deceased, ask the hospital what documentation is required to establish […]
Q: When Should One Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney? A: Don’t Wait
As soon as you have serious concerns that preventable medical errors caused a serious injury or a loved one’s death, you can contact a law firm. You do not need proof of malpractice before calling. An experienced medical malpractice firm can help you understand whether your concerns warrant further investigation. A bad medical outcome alone […]
Medical Harm Timeline & Record Organizer
A simple fillable form to help patients and families organize important details about a serious hospital event and keep a clear record of what happened for attorneys & others.
After Medical Harm: How Did the Hospital Treat You and Your Family?
What Did the Patient’s Doctor or Other Hospital Staff Tell You About the Serious Injury or Death Involving a Possible Medical Error? This questionnaire asks what happened after you or a family member experienced a serious, unexpected injury or death that you believe may have involved a medical error in a hospital. We are asking […]
Why Medical Malpractice Attorneys Decline Most Cases
A medical malpractice attorney’s refusal to accept a case does not necessarily mean that no medical malpractice occurred. Attorneys decline most potential malpractice cases for a variety of reasons. Understanding what attorneys look for can help families better understand a rejection and decide what to do next. A Poor Patient Outcome Is Not Always Malpractice […]
Patients Face Growing Delays for Medical Records In Washington State
Summary based on reporting by Kristin Goodwillie of the KING 5 Investigators, published September 19, 2025. Patients in Washington state are encountering serious obstacles when attempting to obtain their medical records, according to an investigation by KING 5. Although state law generally requires healthcare providers to respond within 15 working days, some patients have waited […]
What the AMA Says Doctors Should Tell Patients After a Medical Error—and What Patients and Families Say They Were Never Told
The American Medical Association’s Code of Medical Ethics establishes clear duties for physicians following an actual or possible medical error. These responsibilities appear in Opinion 8.6, “Promoting Patient Safety.” The AMA states that patients have a right to know about their medical condition, including conditions that may have resulted from an error. It emphasizes that […]
Why Compassion–Not Credentials–Defines Great Doctors
Reprinted with permission from KevinMD.com Dr. Saad S. AlshohaibSeptember 17, 2025 By Saad S. Alshohaib: This is a reflection on those moments, the ones that taught me what medicine truly is: Not a race toward glory, but a lifelong practice of compassion. I entered medicine like many young physicians do—eager, determined, and drawn to its […]