Ringgold Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical malpractice is a serious issue for all patients and healthcare professionals. Each year, many patients in the State of Georgia become injured or even die from the needless errors of medical professionals.
In fact, medical negligence is the third leading cause of death in the United States, right behind heart disease and cancer, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Furthermore, in 2012, medical malpractice lawsuits came with a payouts price tag of more than $3 billion, averaging a payout every 43 minutes.
If you believe you were the victim of medical malpractice, it may be beneficial for you to talk to a skilled Ringgold medical malpractice lawyer. A seasoned personal injury attorney could help you take stock of your injuries and losses and submit a settlement demand that compensates for all of them appropriately.
Defining Medical Malpractice
A viable medical malpractice case needs to be more than just a simple mistake by a healthcare professional or medical facility. Through evidence and testimony, the plaintiff must prove that:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed
- The medical care provided, including decisions, treatment, and the failure to treat, did not meet the accepted medical standard of care
- A direct connection between the care provider’s medical negligence and the patient’s harm
- Quantifiable damages to the patient as a result of the above conditions
Common examples of medical malpractice include:
- Surgery on the wrong site or limb
- Medication mistakes
- Providing treatment to the wrong patient
- Misdiagnoses of failure to diagnose
- Childbirth errors
- Anesthesia errors
Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is a deadline to take legal action. In Georgia, plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases have two years from the date that the malpractice took place to file their lawsuit, as per Official Code of Georgia § 9-3-71. In cases where the injury is not discovered until after the date the malpractice occurred, the time limit begins on the date of discovery but cannot exceed five years after the negligent action.
The statute of limitations is important, as it helps ensure that medical malpractice lawsuits are based on recent evidence. It also frees potential defendants from worrying about legal action for several years to come.
A medical malpractice lawyer in Ringgold could assist a potential plaintiff in getting their lawsuit filed prior to the statute of limitations expiring. Once it has expired, a plaintiff can still file their case. However, the defending party can ask the judge to dismiss the case based on the statute of limitations, and the judge would most likely agree to do so.
Reaching Out to a Ringgold Medical Malpractice Attorney
When you suffer a serious injury of any kind due to the negligence of a medical professional, you may need serious help from a Ringgold medical malpractice lawyer. Our seasoned team of attorneys has a solid understanding of Georgia medical malpractice laws and could strive to apply them to your benefit.
Medical malpractice can come in many different forms. If you believe you are a victim of such negligence, contact our office today. We could evaluate your case and discuss your legal options and rights.
