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Shevlin Smith BlogCatastrophic Personal Injuries
Patient Advocacy: A Growing Business
How many of us have gone to a emergency room, or even to a doctor's office, and waited for what seemed to be an eternity to be examined? How many of us have been in a hospital or a doctor's office but felt that the staff was not hearing our complaints? Unfortunately, these experiences can be all too common. In our legal practice, we often see the tragic consequences that can result from long delays and failure to listen to patient complaints. Sadly, we have handled numerous cases in which patients have died or have suffered life-changing injuries from conditions that were treatable with earlier intervention.Recently, we have been reading a great deal about an emerging business industry - patient advocacy. A recent article in the Arizona Daily Star discussed the role and merits of patient advocacy. The patient advocate works on behalf of a patient to ensure that the patient receives the best possible medical care. These advocates can help monitor patient medication, review patient treatment plans, provide detailed patient medical histories, alert overworked nurses when vital signs go bad, coordinate care as nurses and doctors change shifts, and look out for patient comfort, hygiene and mobility. The use of patient advocates appears to be most prevalent during hospitalizations and nursing home visits.
For more informaton about patient advocacy, check out these websites below. We do not have any affiliation with these companies, but found that their websites provide helpful information for you in considering whether to hire or use a patient advocate.
Patient & Family Advocates, LLC
The Family Advocate
COPE Patient Advocates
Please note, however, that a patient advocate does not always have to be a hired advocate. Family members can always serve as an effective advocate if they are willing to become actively involved in the care of a loved one.
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Shevlin Smith
3975 University Drive, Suite 405
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 591-0067
Fax: (703) 591-1877
FAQs
General Questions
- What are the expenses for bringing a medical malpractice or personal injury case?
- What is the likelihood of my case settling without having to go to trial?
- What should I do if I believe that I have been injured due to medical malpractice or the negligence of another person?
- What fee does an attorney charge for representing a client in a medical malpractice or personal injury claim?
Car / Truck Accidents
I have been injured in a car or truck accident and I am now receiving calls or letters from the insurance company of the person who caused the accident. What should I do?
What information can I provide to an attorney to assist the attorney in the review process of my case?
Birth Injuries
- What if I suspect that my child’s injury was caused by medical negligence at birth?
- What are the main types of birth injury cases?
- How is negligence proved in cases of birth injuries?
Medical Malpractice
- How does one know if he or she is a victim of medical malpractice or negligence?
- What experience should I look for in a medical malpractice attorney?
- Is a misdiagnosis or the failure to make a diagnosis always medical malpractice?
- When does a health care provider's failure to treat an infection become medical malpractice?
- Will my health care providers tell me if a mistake has been made?
Brain Injuries
- What are the symptoms of a subtle or mild brain injury?
- How is a brain injury diagnosed?
- What is the frequency of traumatic brain injuries in the United States?
- What is the prognosis for a person who has suffered a traumatic brain injury?