Our medical malpractice lawyers in Duluth understand health providers and the laws regulating their practice. Healthcare professionals are entrusted with a tremendous responsibility: your health and well-being. When they make mistakes, the consequences can be life-altering. Medication errors can leave you with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and a mountain of medical bills.
If you’re facing this difficult situation, you don’t have to go through it alone. Duluth personal injury lawyers can advocate for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. At Barrios & Virgüez, we understand the immense stress and uncertainty a medical error can cause. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate and knowledgeable legal guidance throughout this challenging time.
Things You Need to Know About Medical Malpractice Claims
The aftermath of a medical error can feel like walking through a maze – confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming. Medical bills pile up, recovery may take time, and emotional distress can cloud your judgment. Here are some key points to keep in mind as you consider a medical malpractice claim in Duluth, Georgia:
You don’t Have to Go It Alone
Medical malpractice cases involve complex legal issues and medical terminology. An experienced lawyer can handle the legal process, gather evidence, and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, allowing you to focus on healing.
Not Every Mistake is Malpractice
There’s a difference between a simple mistake and a medical malpractice case. A qualified lawyer can review your situation and help you determine if you have a valid claim based on a breach of doctor-patient trust and a deviation from the accepted standards of care.
You Deserve Compensation
A successful medical malpractice lawsuit can help you recover the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering so you can move forward with your life. Medical and surgical errors can cause significant financial hardship and emotional suffering, but an emotional distress lawyer in Duluth can help you understand your rights.
For a free legal consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer serving Duluth, call 678-888-2222
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional’s incompetence harms a patient. The medical caregiver, through negligence, recklessness, or general incompetence, causes the patient to suffer rather than heal.
Every case is different, and only your attorney can tell you exactly what damages you are entitled to recover. Still, understanding what the average settlement is, let’s say, for a traumatic brain injury can give you a general idea of the type of damages you may be entitled to claim
Examples of Medical Malpractice
Whatever the specifics of your case, if you have been harmed by a medical professional’s negligence, recklessness, or incompetence, you have the right to restitution. A Duluth medical malpractice attorney from Barrios & Virgüez in Duluth, GA, will fight to bring you justice and financial compensation.
Though medical malpractice takes many forms, some are more common than others.
- Anesthesia errors. Failure to inform patients of how to prepare for anesthesia, improper intubation, and failure to monitor anesthesia levels, for example.
- Failure to inform patients of treatment risks. Doctors must explain the potential risks of treatments so patients can make informed decisions and opt for different treatments if they wish to avoid them.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis prevents patients from receiving necessary treatment for their actual condition or may worsen their actual condition.
- Items left in the body after surgery. Sometimes, sponges or other small equipment used during surgery can be left in the patient’s body, leading to infection or other complications.
- Birth injuries. Birth injuries occur because of failure to monitor the mother or baby during labor and delivery, failure to recognize symptoms or order necessary testing, or other errors. Birth injuries are not congenital disabilities or medical conditions beyond a doctor’s control.
- Nursing home negligence or abuse. Examples include improperly medicating patients, restraining patients unnecessarily, and not attending to patients’ hygienic needs.
If you think you or a loved one were victims of medical malpractice but are still hesitant about filing a legal claim, talk to an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Duluth.
Duluth Medical Malpractice Lawyer Near Me 678-888-2222
Why do Medical Malpractice Mistakes and Errors Happen?
There are many reasons why medical malpractice mistakes and errors happen. However, some reasons are more common than others, such as:
- Little to no communication. The doctors, nurses, and other staff failed to communicate with one another, as well as the patient. This led to mistakes and errors being made.
- Family history. The doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers forgot to ask the patient about their medical history or other critical information. As a result, they missed vital information that could have prevented the mistakes or errors from occurring.
- Administrative disorganization. The doctors or nurses were disorganized, which led to important details being placed in the wrong areas. As a result, the doctors and nurses missed this information.
- Not enough healthcare providers. The hospital may have been understaffed, meaning that there were not enough healthcare providers available. Because of this, the patient did not get the proper level of care within a decent amount of time, which caused other complications.
- Doctors and nurses are in a rush. The doctors and nurses did not spend the proper amount of time caring for the patient. Therefore, they rushed and missed important details regarding the patient’s health condition.
- Carelessness and recklessness. The healthcare providers were acting carelessly and recklessly when taking care of the patient. This may have been by joking around, failing to take the patient’s health seriously, talking about activities outside of work, etc.
- Lack of rest. If the doctors or nurses worked long hours, they might appear exhausted. This may impact their decision-making and problem-solving skills, causing them to make mistakes.
Many circumstances can lead to a medical malpractice claim. Your attorney can review your case and help you determine whether one is possible.
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Who Can You File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Against?
You should determine who exactly is liable for your accident and injuries, and that is the individual or party that you should file a lawsuit against. Here are a few of the individuals or parties that you may want to consider when filing a medical malpractice lawsuit:
- Doctors and physicians
- Surgeons
- Hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, urgent care centers, etc.
- Nurses or nurse practitioners
- Anesthesiologist
- Midwives
- Pharmacists
The list of people you may be able to sue is endless. However, a medical malpractice lawyer in Duluth, GA, will help determine whom you should file a lawsuit against. Sometimes, you may need to file separate lawsuits against multiple parties if they share responsibility for your accident and injuries.
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Why You Need a Duluth Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical malpractice cases are far more complex than typical personal injury cases. You can trust your case to a skilled medical malpractice attorney in Duluth, GA, who is prepared to navigate the specific laws and processes governing medical malpractice lawsuits.
The Statute of Limitations
There is a limit on how long after an accident you can file a claim. This statute also applies to medical malpractice injuries. Georgia law §9-3-71 states that victims have two years from the date an injury or death caused by a medical practitioner’s harmful action occurred to file a claim.
There is a specific statute for objects left in the body after surgery but not discovered within the initial two-year period.
Statute of Repose
Section 9-3-71 (b) of the statute of limitations provides a “statute of repose,” stating “in no event may an action for medical malpractice be brought more than five years after the date on which the negligent or wrongful act or omission occurred.”
This provision both expands and limits the victim’s options. Perhaps the effects of an injury did not appear within the two-year timeframe. However, once the five-year statute ends, the window for filing closes firmly. The statute of limitations for minors injured at birth may be paused or “tolled” until their fifth birthday.
How to Prove Medical Malpractice
To win a settlement in any negligence case, you must prove the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached that duty and the breach caused your injuries, leading to damages. In medical malpractice cases, proving these elements requires additional specificity.
Doctor-Patient Relationship
You must prove you had an actual doctor-patient relationship with the medical practitioner. You scheduled an appointment in their office and paid for their services.
The Doctor Failed to Meet the Applicable Standard of Care
You must prove that your doctor failed to meet Georgia’s standard of care. In other words, your doctor did provide the level of care competent doctors facing similar circumstances would have given. Proving this requires testimony from medical experts.
The Doctor’s Failure Caused Harm
You must prove that the doctor’s negligence or incompetence, not a pre-existing condition or injury, caused you harm. Proving this also requires testimony from medical experts.
Damages You Can Pursue in Medical Malpractice Cases
If you’ve been injured due to medical malpractice in Duluth, GA, a successful lawsuit can help you recover compensation for these damages and hold negligent healthcare professionals accountable. Here’s a breakdown of some key areas where you may be entitled to compensation:
- Medical Expenses. This covers all past, present, and future medical bills related to your injuries caused by the medical error. This can include doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation therapies, and any medical equipment you may need.
- Lost Wages. If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you may be compensated for the wages you lose during your recovery period. This can include lost salary, commissions, bonuses, and any other forms of work-related income.
- Pain and Suffering. This category acknowledges the physical and emotional pain you’ve endured due to the medical mistake. This can include pain, discomfort, emotional distress, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some cases.
- Loss of Earning Capacity. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous line of work or significantly limit your future earning potential, you may be compensated for this loss.
- Wrongful Death. In the tragic event that you lose a loved one due to a medical error, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for your loss.
In some cases, you may be awarded punitive damages. Your attorney can explain which circumstances may qualify for punitive damages in Duluth, Georgia.
How Can a Duluth Medical Malpractice Lawyer Help Your Case?
The legal system can seem complex and daunting after a medical malpractice injury. However, a qualified medical malpractice attorney in Duluth can be a strong advocate for you throughout this challenging time. Here’s how they can help:
Investigating Your Case
They will gather medical records, expert opinions, and other evidence to determine if medical malpractice occurred. This may involve reviewing doctor’s notes, lab results, imaging scans, and hospital discharge summaries. A thorough investigation is crucial to building a strong case.
Understanding Complex Medical Issues
Medical malpractice cases often involve complex medical terminology and procedures. Your lawyer will work with medical experts to understand the specifics of your case and how the medical error deviated from accepted standards of care.
Calculating Your Damages
An experienced lawyer can calculate the full extent of your damages, including past, present, and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of earning capacity, if applicable. Your attorney can also explain how your personal injury settlement may be taxable.
Negotiating a Settlement and Court Representation
Many important questions may arise after medical malpractice: should I give my insurance company a recorded statement? Can I trust them? What if their offer doesn’t cover my medical bills?
Medical malpractice insurance companies can be aggressive in settlement negotiations. Our law firm has the experience and knowledge to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. If necessary, your lawyer will represent you in court and present your case to a judge or jury.
Talk to an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
If you suspect you’ve been injured due to medical negligence, don’t hesitate to contact a Duluth medical malpractice attorney. The dedicated legal team at Barrios & Virgüez has combined experience handling a wide range of medical malpractice cases. We understand the complexities of the medical malpractice legal system and are committed to holding healthcare professionals accountable for their mistakes.
We offer a free consultation to discuss your case in detail. During this consultation, our compassionate lawyers will answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you decide the best course of action. Contact a Duluth medical malpractice lawyer from Barrios & Virgüez today to take the first step to recovery.
Call or text 678-888-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
