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Medical Malpractice /
May 22, 2025

What to Do if a Doctor’s Mistake Hurts Someone

Strickland Law Group
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When Doctors Make Mistakes

We all trust doctors to make us better when we’re sick or hurt. Most of the time, they do a great job. But sometimes, even doctors make mistakes. When these mistakes cause serious harm, it’s called “medical malpractice.”

In Montgomery and throughout Alabama, the experienced attorneys at Strickland Law Group have helped many families who have been hurt by medical mistakes. Michael Strickland want to help you understand what to do if this happens to you or someone you love.

Common Types of Doctor Mistakes

Medical mistakes can happen in many ways. Some of the most common ones we see in Montgomery include:

“Medical malpractice cases are some of the most complex cases we handle,” says Michael Strickland, who has over 30 years of experience representing injured patients. “But when someone is hurt by a doctor’s mistake, they deserve fair compensation.”

How Do You Know If It’s Medical Malpractice?

Not every bad medical outcome is malpractice. Sometimes treatments don’t work even when doctors do everything right. So how can you tell the difference?

Medical malpractice usually involves these four elements:

  1. Duty: The doctor had a responsibility to care for you
  2. Breach: The doctor failed to provide proper care
  3. Causation: This failure directly caused harm
  4. Damages: You suffered injuries or losses as a result

Michael Strickland, known for handling complex medical cases, explains: “The key question is whether the doctor followed the standard of care – which means doing what a reasonable doctor would do in the same situation.”

Important Steps to Take If You Suspect a Medical Mistake

If you think a doctor’s mistake has hurt you or a family member, here are the steps you should take:

1. Get Medical Help Right Away

Your health comes first! See another doctor to treat your condition and prevent further harm.

“Don’t return to the same doctor you believe made the mistake,” advises Michael Strickland. “Seek a second opinion from a different hospital or clinic if possible.”

2. Request Your Medical Records

Ask for complete copies of all your medical records before they can be changed or altered. In Alabama, you have a legal right to get these records, though you might have to pay a small fee.

3. Document Everything

Keep a detailed journal about:

Pictures can be important too, especially if you have visible injuries.

4. Don’t Sign Anything from the Hospital or Insurance Company

After a medical mistake, you might be offered a quick settlement. Don’t sign anything without talking to a lawyer first! These offers are usually much less than your case is worth.

5. Talk to an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney

In Alabama, medical malpractice cases have strict deadlines and complex rules. At Strickland Law Group, we offer free consultations to help you understand if you have a case.

“We work directly with medical experts to review your records and determine if malpractice occurred,” says Michael Strickland. “Unlike some firms where you never meet your lawyer, at Strickland Law Group, you’ll work directly with our experienced team throughout your entire case.”

Time Limits for Medical Malpractice Cases in Alabama

In Alabama, you generally have just two years from the date of the medical mistake to file a lawsuit. In some special cases, like when an injury isn’t discovered right away, you might have six months from when you discovered the problem.

“These deadlines are strict,” warns Michael Strickland. “If you miss them, you could lose your right to compensation forever, no matter how serious the mistake was.”

What Compensation Can You Receive?

If a doctor’s mistake hurt you or a loved one, you might be able to receive money for:

In cases where someone died because of a medical mistake, their family might be able to file a wrongful death claim.

The Medical Malpractice Process in Alabama

Medical malpractice cases have some special rules in Alabama:

Pre-Suit Requirements

Before filing a lawsuit, your attorney will need to:

Expert Testimony

Unlike simple accident cases, medical malpractice cases almost always require expert witnesses – other doctors who can explain how your doctor made a mistake.

“Finding the right medical experts is crucial,” explains Michael Strickland. “At Strickland Law Group, we work with respected medical professionals who can clearly explain complex medical issues to a jury.”

Settlement or Trial

Most medical malpractice cases settle before trial, but the attorneys at Strickland Law Group prepare every case as if it will go to court. This thorough preparation often leads to better settlements for their clients.

Real Examples of Medical Malpractice

While protecting privacy, here are some examples of the types of cases Strickland Law Group has handled:

How Strickland Law Group Can Help

With offices in Montgomery, Strickland Law Group has been helping Alabama families affected by medical mistakes since 1994. Michael Strickland have:

“We understand that dealing with a medical injury is frightening, especially for young people,” says Michael Strickland. “We explain everything in clear, simple terms and answer all your questions throughout the process.”

Get Help Today

If you think a doctor’s mistake has hurt you or someone in your family, call Strickland Law Group at (334) 269-3230 for a free consultation. We’re located in Montgomery at 2740 Zelda Road, and we’re here to help Alabama families understand their rights.

Remember, talking to a lawyer doesn’t mean you have to file a lawsuit. Sometimes just getting answers about what happened is the first step toward healing.

This blog provides general information about medical malpractice in Alabama. Every case is different, and this is not legal advice. For guidance about your specific situation, please contact Strickland Law Group directly.

Feel free to reach out and speak with our experienced team of professionals who are here to provide you with legal guidance.
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