Catoosa County Medical Malpractice Lawyer
There is a certain quality of care that is expected from healthcare professionals. This level of trust means families rely on doctors during their most difficult moments. However, if health care providers fail to administer the reasonable care expected, disaster could strike to a degree that a medical malpractice may be warranted.
Qualified personal injury attorneys understand the expectations that both patients and Georgia law place on healthcare providers. If you believe you were a victim of improper medical care, reach out to a Catoosa County medical malpractice lawyer to explain your situation. A compassionate and capable personal injury attorney could help you recover damages to help offset your medical expenses and provide you the peace of mind you need to heal.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is defined by the National Institute of Health as any act or omission—usually by a medical professional—that does not align with the generally accepted practice within the medical community. Based on this definition, medical malpractice is a broad term that could be applied to a variety of improperly treated medical incidents.
Some common examples in Catoosa County include:
- Improperly performed surgery
- Improper medication prescription or dosage
- Failure to diagnose, or improper diagnosis
- Incorrect treatment
Steps to Filing A Malpractice Claim
In the majority of cases, the first step toward recovering from an incident of medical malpractice is contacting a dedicated Catoosa County medical malpractice attorney. Any qualified lawyer in the state of Georgia should be able to guide a victim through his or her filing.
During the case, there are a variety of things that the claimant must prove. Initially, he or she must demonstrate that the doctor had a legal duty to provide care for them and that the doctor breached this duty by ignoring or subverting the standard practice of care.
Next, the victim must show how the breach caused them direct harm or injury. Finally, the patient must provide proof that their damages arose directly because of the harm. Damages could range from a financial obligation to pain and suffering but must always be initiated based on physical injuries sustained.
In legal cases such as these, the burden of proof falls to those making a claim. For this reason, many Catoosa County claimants find it practical to have a legal professional advocate on their behalf.
Typical Damages
Victims of medical malpractice usually seek compensation through settlements or civil lawsuits. Retaining a medical malpractice lawyer in Catoosa County could provide insight into fair compensation by helping a plaintiff categorize damages into economic or non-economic.
Economic damages are relatively simple to quantify, as they usually have a fixed value. These could include current and future medical bills, travel expenses, and lost wages.
On the other hand, non-economic damages are more abstract. These do not have a clear economic value but could still alter a victim’s life. They may include pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment.
Catoosa County Statute of Limitations
There are limits placed on when potential plaintiffs are able to file a suit in Georgia. Per Code of Georgia §9-3-71, medical malpractice suits must be filed within two years of the incident that brought injury.
Often, an injury may not become apparent until after some time has passed. Even in these cases, the statute of limitations could still be applicable. If a potential plaintiff suspects medical malpractice has occurred previously, they may still wish to contact a medical malpractice attorney to discuss a possible filing.
Working with a Catoosa County Medical Malpractice Attorney
Injuries sustained due to medical malpractice may leave you feeling defeated or worried about the future. Seeking additional medical care can be an undue financial burden that is only amplified by the pain you may feel. Fortunately, victims of medical malpractice have the right to seek justice.
The first step for potentially receiving compensation could be consulting with a Catoosa County medical malpractice lawyer from our firm. Our attorneys are well-versed in Georgia medical malpractice laws and could help you understand your case, any potential damages, and how you heal. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.
