The High Cost of Medical Errors in Georgia
Did you know that patients pay about $39,000 more in hospital bills when they experience complications during surgery? And not all hospitals have policies in place that require doctors and other staff to reveal errors when they happen. In one devastating case, a man recently went in for a routine colonoscopy. When doctors punctured his colon, he experienced heart failure and other complications. In the end, his medical bills totaled $600,000.
We rely on doctors, hospitals, and other medical professionals to help us when we’re injured and sick. In our society, we look up to physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers as highly educated people who have our best interests in mind. We trust them to take care of us, and many times we literally put our lives in their hands. And while it’s true that everyone makes mistakes, in the medical field, mistakes can be deadly.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Because the margin for error is so slim, doctors, health facilities, and medical workers are held to a high standard of care. When they don’t perform to these standards, they are liable for the injuries they cause. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a medical mistake, it’s important to speak to an medical malpractice attorney in Georgia right away. The law limits the amount of time you have to bring a claim, and if you wait too long, you could miss your chance to get compensation for your injuries.
Most people respect doctors and health professionals but often fail to challenge their advice and actions. As a result, many victims of medical malpractice don’t even realize their injuries are the result of a doctor’s mistake. But when the level of care isn’t up to medial standards, physicians, hospitals, and healthcare workers have engaged in medical malpractice. When care dips below this standard, people get hurt – and you have the option to file a medical negligence claim.
As people live longer and experience more health complications, the chance of experiencing a medical error increases. These mistakes include things like:
- Failure to diagnose
- Wrong diagnosis
- Birth injury
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Missed diagnosis
- Pharmaceutical mistakes
- Unsterile instruments and equipment
- Wrongful amputation
- Sponges and other foreign material left in the body
Along with this, shorthanded hospitals and ill-equipped facilities frequently apply cost-cutting measures that lead to preventable errors. And an increasing number of PPOs, HMOs, and other managed care plans strictly mandate the level and amount of care patients can receive. Sadly, medical malpractice victims bear the cost of these policies.
Georgia Medical Malpractice Law Firm
As a Georgia Medical Malpractice lawyer for two decades, I know how important it is for my clients to know they are being heard. Too often, they don’t get that same courtesy from their doctors. From the moment we meet, I want you to know you are in careful, competent hands. I can’t erase the physical pain and mental suffering you have gone through, but I can give you a voice – and I can help you get the full and fair compensation to help you recover and heal. Contact my office today at (912) 265-9811 to discuss your case.
This blog is for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the attorney or law firm. The blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.