Understanding Medical Malpractice

As patients, we trust healthcare professionals to provide accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. While most do an excellent job, mistakes can happen. For a medical error to be considered malpractice, it must involve negligence. If you or a loved one experienced serious health issues due to medical negligence, you might be eligible for financial compensation. An experienced Savannah medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your options.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice

1. Misdiagnosis: This occurs when a healthcare provider fails to identify a condition correctly, leading to inappropriate treatment and potential complications. For a misdiagnosis to be considered malpractice, it must be a mistake that qualified doctors would not have made under similar circumstances.
2. Delayed Diagnosis: If a condition is not diagnosed promptly, treatment may be delayed, worsening the condition. You must show that the provider was negligent in their diagnostic process.
3. Surgical Errors: While surgeries carry inherent risks, errors due to negligence—like performing the wrong procedure or leaving instruments inside a patient—can constitute malpractice.
4. Failure to Treat: This happens when a provider correctly diagnoses a condition but fails to provide adequate care or follow-up treatment.
5. Prescription Errors: Errors can occur when the wrong medication or dosage is prescribed, or when drug interactions are overlooked. You must prove that a competent provider would not have made the same error.
6. Anesthesia Errors: Administering the wrong anesthesia or failing to monitor vital signs can lead to severe consequences, including pain or brain injuries.
7. Infection Prevention Failures: Negligence in maintaining sanitary conditions can lead to hospital-acquired infections, which may result in serious health issues.

Proving Medical Malpractice

To establish a case, you must demonstrate:

• A doctor-patient relationship existed.
• The provider had a duty to offer standard care.
• There was a breach of that duty.
• The breach caused your injury.
• The injury resulted in damages (e.g., medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering).

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Liability can fall on various parties:

• Healthcare Providers: If a doctor made a preventable error, you can file a lawsuit against them.
• Hospitals: A hospital may be liable if it failed to ensure proper staffing or allowed an unqualified provider to treat patients.

Potential Damages

If you prove medical negligence, you may receive compensation for:

• Medical expenses related to your injury
• Lost wages and future earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement
• Other non-economic damages, like mental anguish

Statute of Limitations

In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the injury (or its discovery) to file a medical malpractice claim. However, there’s a five-year limit for filing based on the date of the negligent act, regardless of when the injury was discovered.

It’s crucial to consult with a qualified attorney to ensure you meet these deadlines.

The Savannah Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Victims of Medical Negligence

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury or health complication as a result of medical negligence, do not hesitate to contact the Savannah medical malpractice lawyers at Kicklighter Law. We will thoroughly review the details of your case, determine who is liable for your injuries, and help you navigate every step of the claims process. To schedule a confidential consultation, call us today at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. Located in Springfield, Georgia, we serve clients in Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.