Mountain View, CA asked in Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death for California

Q: I am in search of someone that can help me obtain the medical records of my deceased wife. I believe she died unjustly.

I believe that the doctor (s) in charge let her pass by stopping her CPR treatment. I know there is a term for it - slow something or other.

3 Lawyer Answers
William John Light
William John Light
Answered
  • Medical Malpractice Lawyer
  • Santa Ana, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: You can go to the medical records department of the hospital, assuming that is where she was, and fill out the form to request the records. Make sure that you check all of the boxes for every different type of record (progress notes, nurses notes, physicians order, medication administration, billing, etc.)

Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
Answered
  • Medical Malpractice Lawyer
  • Culver City, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: If you have the Death Certificate and you are next of kin (which as her husband, you are), then you should be able to order a copy of the records yourself. Make sure when you are ordering the records that you specify you want the ENTIRE chart - all notes, orders, medical records, billing records, lab reports, etc.

Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
Answered
  • Medical Malpractice Lawyer
  • Little Neck, NY

A: I'm sorry for your loss. If the hospital or her primary physician sent her offsite for any tests, include those facilities also when you make your record requests. In terms of not continuing lifesaving measures you mention, it's possible the term you are thinking of is a Do Not Resuscitate Order. If such a DNR form was filled out at the hospital, it should be included in the file documents you receive.

Tim Akpinar

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