By: Lindsey Macon, Partner at McArthur Law Firm and a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Atlanta GA
Not all surgeries and medical procedures performed by medical professionals are successful. When a bad outcome occurs, legal remedies may be available to that patient, or (sometimes) to the family members of that now-deceased patient.
A wide array of “causes” of error may exist, ranging from “wrong patient,” “wrong knee,” “improper sedation,” or a “failure to diagnose” the condition that led to the patient seeking medical help and (sometimes) causing the patient’s death through medical error. As a rule, the usual place where proof of the error can be found is in medical records.
In this article, our legal professionals at McArthur Law Firm (MLF) will guide you on how to screen the best medical malpractice lawyers in your area, what to look for in a medical malpractice lawyer, and the benefits of choosing local legal assistance. Be aware that some unique rules apply to which statute of limitations applies to these claims, so act quickly to not jeopardize your claim.
How your Lawyer may Refer to “Medical Malpractice” Cases
In your conversation with our attorneys, you may hear the words “med mal.” “Med mal” is short for “medical malpractice.”
Such litigation cases are a type of civil law, personal injury legal actions that can be filed when a healthcare provider falls short of providing the accepted standard of medical care. This means that the procedure or “prescription” given falls below the accepted standard of treatment that a reasonable healthcare professional would provide, under similar circumstances.
If impacted by medical malpractice in Atlanta, the goal is to hire an experienced local attorney specializing in medical negligence cases. Because some types of medical errors result in a death, some clients will come to our firm with a wrongful death legal action seeking the assistance of our medical negligence attorneys.
Remember that you’ll be fighting the medical professional’s insurance company lawyers, who are usually among the top-level litigators from defense law firms. This will be true whether the targeted medical professional is a physician, nurse practitioner or even a registered nurse.
Prior Handling of Similar Complex Med Mal Cases is a “Must”
Lawyers specializing in medical malpractice in the Peach State can provide the necessary skill set and local advantage to manage your case efficiently. These top medical malpractice firms will have the benefit of being “educated” through decades of experience from prior cases and know the various types of viable personal injury cases that can occur when a surgery or other procedure goes badly.
Not many personal injury lawyers in Atlanta, GA are recognized for dealing with complicated medical care cases. Kathy McArthur and Lindsey Macon are two Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers. They have worked on many cases.
So, our Firm gladly shares information from some recent verdicts or settlement results, but they keep these prior clients’ names confidential. They will share some verdicts amounts or settlement results, but they keep all prior clients’ names private.
Many “traps for the unwary” legal practitioner suing doctors or hospitals can result in a case not being successful. For this reason, prior favorable results are something that any attorney for medical malpractice near me should be willing to share with a potential new med mal client.
The Most Common Medical Errors in the United States: Medical Malpractice
In the United States, medical errors are a significant concern and are a leading cause of medical malpractice claims. The most common types of medical errors that lead to such claims include:
- Diagnostic Errors: This category includes misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, and delayed diagnosis. These errors occur when healthcare providers fail to correctly identify a patient’s condition, which can lead to inappropriate or delayed treatment. Misdiagnosis is one of the most prevalent forms of nursing malpractice or medical malpractice.
- Medication Errors: These errors involve prescribing or administering the wrong medication or dosage. They can also occur when there is a failure to account for drug interactions or allergies. Medication errors by hospital nurses are a frequent cause of malpractice claims.
- Surgical Errors: Surgical mistakes can include operating on the wrong body part, performing the wrong procedure, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or providing inadequate postoperative care. Surgical errors are a common source of malpractice claims due to their potentially severe consequences.
- Anesthesia Errors: Mistakes related to anesthesia can be particularly dangerous. Anesthesia errors can include administering too much or too little anesthesia, failing to monitor the patient adequately during surgery, or not reviewing the patient’s medical history for potential complications.
- Birth Injuries: Errors during childbirth can affect both the mother and infant and may include failure to respond to fetal distress, improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuums, and failure to perform necessary cesarean sections. Birth injuries are a significant concern in medical malpractice cases and can sometimes be against certified nurse-midwives.
These errors often result from factors such as inadequate staffing, poor communication among healthcare providers, and lack of proper training or oversight within healthcare facilities. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving patient safety and reducing the incidence of medical malpractice claims.
Finding Medical Malpractice Lawyers Near Me
Facing the serious effects of a medical malpractice case means choosing a skilled attorney nearby. When looking at medical negligence lawyers, aim for one with local experience and a strong track record of victories trying cases involving medical malpractice in Georgia.
An attorney familiar with your state’s specific medical laws and legal intricacies can greatly influence the resolution of your case. The convenience of geographic proximity streamlines both investigation and case management, thus bolstering efficiency.
Malpractice lawyers entrenched in the local scene often have direct access to area healthcare specialists whose input may lend authoritative weight to your claim. Their strategic acumen molded by an intimate understanding of regional judicial nuances could be pivotal in attaining favorable results from your suit.
To navigate this process successfully, it is essential to understand how critical localized knowledge is while seeking out top-notch nearby malpractice attorneys. This guide will delve into why such context matters immensely and furnish actionable insights on pinpointing premier legal counsel within your vicinity.
Obtain a Free Consultation with a McArthur Firm Lawyer for Medical Malpractice Near Me
Navigating a medical malpractice claim requires careful planning and help from a skilled lawyer. Each step is important, from understanding different types of malpractice to knowing what to do if you suspect negligence. Finding a good malpractice lawyer in Atlanta is essential. They can help you overcome challenges as you seek justice and fair compensation.
Getting help from a law firm with good client reviews can really help your case. Their offer of free initial consultations is a big plus. It is important to act quickly to protect your rights. You also need to seek fair compensation for damage or disability caused by medical mistakes.
Clients can talk about their cases with medical malpractice lawyers for free during consultations. This is a chance for people to see the lawyer’s skills, case strategy, and overall fit without spending any money.
Using our free consultation helps most clients start to gather important information that will be needed (e.g., all medical records, radiological information, and slides). When you are focused on finding the best lawyer to handle your Georgia medical malpractice claim, start with our FREE lawyer consultation. Dial us now at 404-565-1621.
