Each year, accidents and unexpected illnesses account for 41 million emergency department visits and 2.3 million hospital admissions in the United States.

Rates are particularly high in Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. 

Eighty percent of Alabama trauma visits involve blunt trauma (motor vehicle crashes and falls), and 20 percent involve violence (gunshot wounds and stabbings). 

Do you have a plan in place in the event you get injured or ill in an emergency situation? Who would be your advocate and voice if you were suddenly unable to make medical decisions for yourself? Do you have legal documents set up like a healthcare power of attorney in Alabama?

If you don’t know the answer to that, then now is the best time to get informed and work on your emergency plan. Learn everything you need to know about how to set up a medical power of attorney in Alabama below.

The Purpose of a Healthcare Power of Attorney in Alabama

Are you wondering why a healthcare power of attorney should be an important part of your emergency preparedness plans? If so, then you may not have ever considered what could happen if you suddenly became unable to make your own medical decisions. For instance, if you got injured in a car accident and were suddenly in a coma, then who would be your best advocate? Without the proper documents in place, the attending physician may have to make those difficult decisions for you.

The purpose of a healthcare power of attorney in Alabama is to ensure that the person of your choosing can make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This important document not only protects you while you are incapacitated, but it also upholds your rights once you do become able to make your own choices again, too. Once you’re medically able to voice your own medical wishes, the medical power of attorney document will again transfer the authority back to you. All you have to do is notify the attending physician that you’re revoking the medical power of attorney.

How to Set Up a Medical Power of Attorney in Alabama

So, how can you set up a medical power of attorney in Alabama? The first step you should take is to reach out to the individual you want to become your advocate. Explain the situation, and ensure that the person is okay with accepting the responsibilities associated with the medical power of attorney. This person will be your agent.

Next, you’ll want to outline your express wishes in the event you become incapacitated. If you have specific boundaries you don’t want crossed, then you’ll want to make that clear. List the person you want to be your agent. Then, you’ll want to have an estate attorney take a look at your document (more on that below).

The last step in the process is to make your medical power of attorney official by either signing it in the presence of two witnesses (who must also sign the document) or by bringing your document to a notary and signing it. Once this is complete, your medical power of attorney will be a legal and official document.

Emergency Preparedness: Do You Need an Estate Attorney?

Before you have a notary or witnesses make your document official, it’s wise to have an Alabama estate attorney look over your document. That way, you’ll know that your wishes will get upheld when you aren’t able to advocate for yourself. A good estate attorney can also help answer any questions you have about the process, your document, and your agent’s authority when you’re incapacitated.

Are You Ready to Legalize Your Medical Power of Attorney in Alabama?

A healthcare power of attorney in Alabama protects you in the event you become unable to make your own medical decisions. For instance, if you got admitted to an ER and diagnosed with severe Covid, then there’s a chance that doctors may have to sedate you to put you on a ventilator. Once you’re sedated, you won’t be able to voice your medical wishes anymore.

With a medical power of attorney in Alabama, your appointed person can advocate for you.

Are you ready to secure your emergency preparedness plans by legalizing your medical power of attorney? If so, then we recommend having an estate attorney look over your document before you get it signed and make it official. That way, you and your advocate can rest assured knowing that your document is secure, clear, and concise. Head over to our lawyer search area to get in touch with a qualified attorney now.