Medical malpractice can occur when doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals fail to exercise the proper level of care in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring their patients. It can have dire consequences if left untreated, including death. If you suspect you have been the victim of medical malpractice in Georgia, read this article to learn what steps you should take next to protect your health and the health of your loved ones from further harm.
1. Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you believe that you have suffered injuries due to negligence on behalf of your doctor, you should speak with an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice claims. A legal professional can help ensure your rights are protected and that any negligent party is held accountable for their actions. You can visit website for experienced legal representation of victims of medical malpractice throughout Georgia and get advice on how to move forward based on your specific situation.
2. Report a Medical Malpractice Complaint with the Medical Board of Georgia
If you suspect that your doctor may have committed medical malpractice, you should contact your state’s health department and your local medical board. State health departments can help you file a complaint with your local council and provide information about reporting procedures on their websites.
Many boards require that you file claims within certain time limits as state-run agencies. It’s best to call ahead or check online for specific requirements before filing an official complaint with either body. Your lawyer will help you file a solid complaint, and help you gather all relevant evidence, including hospital records and eyewitness accounts. They’ll also explain your legal options and help you determine whether a lawsuit is right for you.
3. Seek Treatment from Another Medical Professional
If you suspect that you or someone you know has suffered harm by medical malpractice, it’s essential to get treatment for your injuries from another medical professional. It may be tempting to seek healthcare from whoever caused your injury, but doing so could compromise any future legal action you take against them.
It’s crucial to take care of your health even as you pursue compensation for any harm you’ve suffered. It will prevent your situation from deteriorating further and give you more options when it comes time to negotiate with your doctor or file a lawsuit.
4. Document the Incident’s Details
As soon as you suspect that you have been a victim of medical malpractice, you should immediately write down all relevant details about your suspicion and hand them over to an experienced medical malpractice attorney for further investigation. The information may include; Your present symptoms, history, what happened and when it happened, who was involved, how it happened (if known), why you think it was due to negligence, and other related details.
It’s crucial to take note of time frames, such as;
- When did you notice a change in your condition?
- Did it occur right after receiving treatment or sometime later?
- Was there any pre-existing condition that could have made you more susceptible to suffering from complications during treatment?
All these points will help determine whether or not there were errors during treatment and whether they were indeed due to negligence. Ensure that you get all of these details right because insurance companies can exploit any gaps in information during legal proceedings.
5. File Your Claim
If you’ve suffered an injury and think it may be due to medical malpractice, you need to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. In most cases, your only option for recovering compensation is to file a lawsuit against your doctor. Speak with an attorney who has experience pursuing these types of claims so that you can take appropriate action. File your claim as soon as possible—statutes of limitations apply depending on whether or not you’re dealing with emergency care.
The statute of limitations for non-emergency care is two years from when you were injured; however, it could be much shorter. For example, if you had a wrong diagnosis or failure to receive adequate treatment, your case would fall under emergency-care rules and have a one-year statute of limitation. Filing sooner rather than later will give you more time to recover any lost wages and medical expenses related to your injuries.
Also, remember that not all medical malpractice cases go through litigation; you can also resolve some through arbitration or mediation instead. For example, an experienced attorney might encourage their client to reach out to their former doctor and see if they’re willing to work something out outside of court. It can spare both parties time and money while keeping private matters private (i.e., out of public record).
Conclusion
Filing an incorrect malpractice lawsuit can be disastrous for you. Therefore, ensure that you consult with a qualified malpractice attorney before filing any legal action. After consulting with your attorney, you can file paperwork against your health care provider. Your lawyer will help determine whether or not it’s worth taking legal action on your behalf and what options are available for compensation (if any). It’s important to consider how much damage you’ve suffered and other damages like pain and suffering and lost wages from work. Ensure your reports are accurate and document everything carefully to avoid missteps during litigation.