When you visit a doctor or a hospital, you trust medical professionals to identify your condition quickly and efficiently and treat you appropriately. If a health care professional makes an unreasonable error in judgment or makes a significant mistake, it can lead to terrible, potentially life-threatening consequences, and an Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer can help.
With all the federal and state procedural, educational and certification requirements, you’d think that medical mistakes would be an anomaly. Unfortunately, they are far too common. Up to 1 percent of all hospital patients fall victim to medical malpractice, and up to 120,000 people die each year in these types of preventable mistakes, according to the Civil Justice Resource Group.
Fortunately, under Georgia law, victims of medical malpractice might be able to pursue compensation for their losses. To do so, certain elements must be established, and compelling evidence must be presented. To discuss whether you have a medical malpractice case and eligibility for compensation, contact a malpractice attorney. Georgia residents can get a free legal consultation with Attorney Jason R. Schultz by calling 404-474-0804.
What is medical malpractice?
Just like all human beings, doctors and other healthcare workers make mistakes. Making an error doesn’t necessarily mean the doctor has committed malpractice, nor does a patient experiencing a complication. For the situation to be considered malpractice (and compensable in liability claim), the following elements must be true.
- The provider failed to uphold an industry standard of care. That is, he or she acted in a way that was different from what other doctors in a similar situation would have acted.
- The provider’s actions are what caused you harm. If you were harmed but it wasn’t the doctor’s fault, then it’s not malpractice.
- You sustained injuries/damages. If the doctor made a mistake but you weren’t harmed because of it, there are no grounds to file a malpractice suit.
Examples of Medical Malpractice
The Law Offices of Jason R. Schultz, P.C. handles all types of medical malpractice cases. Below are some examples of situations that may warrant a claim or lawsuit.
- Surgical errors like operating on the wrong person or wrong limb
- Performing an unnecessary procedure
- Leaving instruments behind inside the patient after surgery
- Failing to diagnose a condition in time
- Misdiagnosing a condition
- Healthcare provider abuse and neglect
- Anesthesia mistakes
- Delaying treatment
- Mistakes made during pregnancy or birth and delivery, such as failing to diagnose a mother’s condition that affected the baby or improper use of forceps that harmed the baby
- Giving a patient a dangerous treatment without clearly explaining the risks
- Medication mistakes like prescribing the wrong medication, contraindicated medication or the wrong dosage
- Hospital-acquired infections
Seeking Restitution for Your Damages
If you or your loved one were harmed by a medical mistake, it’s in your best interest to talk to a lawyer about your options. While there is no price tag on the loss of good health, irreversible damage resulting from negligent medical care can lead to a lifetime of lost income, physical suffering, medical complications, and in the worst cases, death. Victims (or their families if the condition was fatal) can and should be compensated for the unnecessary harms they’ve suffered.
To discuss your case with a malpractice attorney in Georgia, call the Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, P.C. Given his accomplished track record, Attorney Schultz has amassed the experience, skills, and resources necessary to take on even the toughest cases. In fact, he has recovered millions of dollars for families and individuals who have suffered injuries and damages resulting from medical negligence such as misdiagnosis, failure to monitor and surgical errors.
