Canton Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Holding Professionals Responsible For Harm in Georgia

When a healthcare professional provides improper treatment or fails to maintain an acceptable standard of care, the patient may file a malpractice claim. At Hasty Pope, LLP, we have a depth of knowledge of medical malpractice law that allows us to provide effective representation for clients who have been harmed by those entrusted with their medical care. A Canton medical malpractice lawyer from our firm will fight for compensation for your medical costs, loss of work, pain, and suffering.

Why Hire Our Firm?

• Initial Consultations are FREE
• Hundreds of Cases Taken to Trial
• 150+ Years of Combined Experience
• Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Recovered

Our legal team is equipped and prepared to protect your rights and fight for your maximum compensation.

What Constitutes Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice happens when a health care professional, doctor, or hospital causes injury to a patient through acting negligently. In this case negligence happen through errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare, or health management.

A medical malpractice case must have these characteristics:

• A violation of the standard of care
• Proof that the injury was caused by negligence
• The injury resulted in significant damages

Common Causes of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice encompasses a broad spectrum of situations where a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, harming the patient. Identifying the common causes of medical malpractice is crucial for building a solid case. Some prevalent examples include:

• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Failing to diagnose a medical condition accurately or promptly can have severe consequences. Whether it's cancer, infections, or other serious illnesses, a delay in diagnosis can significantly impact the patient's prognosis.
• Surgical Errors: Errors during surgery, such as wrong-site surgery, anesthesia mistakes, or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient's body, can lead to serious complications and long-term damage.
• Medication Errors: Administering the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or failing to account for potential drug interactions can result in severe harm to the patient.
• Birth Injuries: Negligence during childbirth can lead to birth injuries for both the infant and the mother. These injuries can have lifelong consequences and often require extensive medical care.
• Failure to Obtain Informed Consent: Patients have the right to be fully informed about the risks and benefits of medical procedures. Failure to obtain informed consent can be grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

At Hasty Pope, LLP, our experienced legal team thoroughly investigates each case to identify the specific negligence that led to the client's injuries, ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable.

How Do You Know If You Have a Case for Medical Malpractice?

In order to prove that you have a medical malpractice claim, there are four essential elements that you must be able to prove:

• A doctor-patient relationship was established
• The doctor, or other medical professional, was negligent
• That negligence caused your injury
• Your injury caused damages

But what does this all mean? Here is a simple example: a patient establishes care with a surgeon to have a medically necessary surgery. The procedure is completed, but the patient continues to have pain and it gets worse every day. The patient brings up the concern with the doctor during the post-op appointment, but the doctor brushes it off as normal post-operative pain that will go away as the patient heals. But the patient continues to have to debilitating pain and finally gets an x-ray that shows a surgical instrument was left inside from the procedure. A second, emergency surgery is immediately ordered. There are two elements of neglect here: the first being that an instrument was left in the patient in the first place and the second being the doctor brushing off the patient's initial concern.

This is an obvious example of medical malpractice, but medical neglect can be in many forms. That's why it is vital to keep records and hire a Canton medical malpractice attorney as quickly as possible. Our legal team wants to help you fight for the compensation you deserve after going through unnecessary and preventable pain and suffering.

When Medical Providers Fail to Provide Appropriate Care

Standard of care describes the level and type of care a trained healthcare professional should provide. The acceptable standard of care varies depending on the specific medical condition, general health of the patient, the patient’s age, and other factors. Because each case is unique, it is important to speak with a Canton medical injury attorney about your specific situation.

What Compensation Can Be Obtained in a Medical Malpractice Claim?

Medical malpractice can lead to a spectrum of damages for victims, encompassing economic and non-economic losses. While each case is distinct, potential recoverable damages in a medical malpractice claim include:

• Medical Expenses: Victims may be eligible for compensation covering past and future medical expenses. This encompasses costs related to surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and other essential treatments required for the injuries sustained.
• Lost Income and Future Earnings: If the victim cannot work due to malpractice, they may seek compensation for both lost income and potential future earnings. This is particularly relevant in cases where the injuries diminish the capacity to earn a living.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation can be awarded for the physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall decline in the quality of life experienced by the victim. This category acknowledges the intangible but significant impact that medical malpractice can have on a person's well-being.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In situations where medical malpractice culminates in the death of a loved one, surviving family members have the right to pursue compensation. This compensation may cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional toll of losing a family member.
• Punitive Damages: In rare instances where the negligence is deemed particularly egregious, punitive damages may be awarded. Punitive damages punish the responsible party for their actions and serve as a deterrent against similar behavior in the future.

Understanding the potential scope of damages in a medical malpractice claim is essential for building a comprehensive case. At Hasty Pope, LLP, our dedicated legal team specializes in navigating the complexities of medical malpractice cases, ensuring our clients can recover the full extent of damages they are entitled to.

Georgia Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations

Medical malpractice lawsuits have a two-year statute of limitations from the time the injury is discovered. A case may not be filed more than five years from the negligent act, even if the injury is not immediately detected. Due to the intricacies of the law and rules governing the statute of limitations, we encourage you to contact Hasty Pope, LLP as soon as you can to discuss your case with a skilled Canton medical malpractice attorney.