At Nagel Rice, LLP, our attorneys have provided excellent legal representation to New Jersey medical malpractice victims for more than four decades. In recent years, as more and more operations are performed as outpatient procedures and hospital stays become increasingly short, there is a greater focus on claims of inadequate follow-up care. If you have suffered harm as a result of insufficient postsurgical or post-treatment monitoring or medical attention, now is the time to contact our experienced, highly capable law team.
Our well-known personal injury law team has an impressive track record of successful outcomes. During our long history, Nagel Rice has won over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for deserving clients throughout New Jersey. Our attorneys are deeply committed to fighting for the right of each client to substantial compensation for their losses.
What Is Follow-Up Care and Why Is It Critical?
Follow-up care refers to the medical attention and services a patient receives after being discharged from a hospital or completing a primary treatment phase. This care can include:
- Additional treatments
- Check-ups
- Physical therapy
- New or continued prescriptions
- Monitoring for potential complications
Effective follow-up care is crucial for several reasons. It helps ensure the success of the initial treatment, prevents complications or worsening of the patient’s condition, and provides patients with the information and support they need for a complete recovery.
The critical nature of follow-up care lies in its capacity to detect and address problems early, significantly improving patient outcomes. Proper follow-up care can mean the difference between a full recovery and long-term health issues or even death.
When Does Inadequate Follow-Up Care Constitute Medical Malpractice?
Not every instance of inadequate follow-up care meets the legal definition of medical malpractice. To prove medical malpractice, four key elements must be established:
- Duty of Care: the healthcare provider had a duty to deliver an accepted standard of care to the patient.
- Breach of Duty: the provider failed to meet this standard by not providing appropriate follow-up care.
- Causation: This breach led directly to patient injury or worsening of the patient’s condition.
- Damages: the patient suffered quantifiable harm as a result.
If inadequate follow-up care meets these criteria, the patient may have a valid medical malpractice claim. Contact us now for a free evaluation to find out if you have a viable case.
The Negative Impact of Inadequate Follow-Up Care
The consequences of inadequate follow-up care can be severe or even catastrophic. Here are some examples:
- A patient develops a postsurgical infection that goes unnoticed and untreated due to lack of a proper follow-up. The infection worsens and becomes systemic, leading to severe complications or even death.
- A patient with a chronic condition like diabetes is not provided with sufficient information about managing their condition post-discharge, resulting in an emergency that could have been prevented with follow-up instructions.
- A patient does not receive proper directions about wound care, resulting in excessive bleeding or improper healing.
- After inpatient care, a patient is discharged with a prescription for medication that has unexpected side effects. Because the healthcare provider does not check up on the patient’s condition once they are out of the hospital, the patient suffers permanent heart damage.
At Nagel Rice, our hearts go out to clients whose lives have been interrupted, shortened or ended by negligent doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants who have failed in their duty to provide crucial follow-up care.
How Nagel Rice Helps Victims of Inadequate Follow-Up Care
Our lawyers understand the profound impact that medical negligence can have on patients and their families. We are not only compassionate but determined to bring these patients justice.
To this end, we will:
- Thoroughly investigate your case by gathering evidence
- Examine your medical records
- Consulting with medical experts to determine whether your follow-up care was inadequate and whether the breach constitutes malpractice
- Guide you through every step of the legal process, from filing claims to negotiating settlements
- If necessary, forcefully represent you in court
Nagel Rice Will Fight Aggressively To Bring You the Resources You Need
Our attorneys know that in cases of inadequate follow-up care, physical, emotional, and financial losses can be overwhelming. Although most medical malpractice cases are settled out of court, we are always prepared to litigate in order to bring you maximum compensation.
No one should have to suffer harm due to negligent medical care. We will do everything possible to recover damages for:
- Uncovered medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If your family has suffered the loss of a loved one due to inadequate follow-up care, we will leave no stone unturned in our fight to win your wrongful death claim.
Don’t Go It Alone — Turn to Our New Jersey Medical Malpractice Attorneys Today
When you or a loved one has been seriously harmed by the negligence of a person who should have protected them, it is easy to feel that the situation is beyond help. Though we cannot undo the damage that has been done, we will be your powerful allies. Call Nagel Rice now to feel our strong support as we fight tirelessly to bring you the resources you need and the justice you deserve.
Nagel Rice LLP helps its clients with claims throughout New Jersey including Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County. We also represent clients in New York.