It is common for Georgia residents to need medical attention for various health issues. In some cases, a doctor may be able to perform a quick examination, determine the problem and provide a course of treatment. In other cases, a series of tests may be needed or possibly even surgery.
Understandably, you may feel nervous any time you need to visit a medical professional. You may worry that you will have a greater issue than you suspected, but you may also worry that your doctor or another staff member will brush off your concerns. You may also have fears that a member of the staff will make a mistake that leaves you worse off than before.
Medical errors
It may come as a frightening revelation to know that medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. As a result, you or a loved one could face the serious risk of suffering a fatal outcome due to errors associated with medical treatment. Even if a fatal outcome does not result, you could still suffer considerably from such mistakes. However, you may have the legal ability to hold those responsible for the negative outcomes accountable for their actions or negligence.
Proving your case
If you believe that medical negligence resulted in serious harm to you or in the death of a loved one, you may want to explore your legal options. In medical malpractice cases, you cannot simply say that a medical professional acted negligently. You will need to provide proof of your claims. For instance, if you believe that a doctor did not uphold the appropriate standard of care, you could claim that he or she breached that duty of care. Still, you will need to have evidence to support your claim.
It is also important to remember that a negative outcome does not always mean that a medical staff member committed any wrongdoing. If the staff member acted negligently, such as by leaving a foreign object behind after surgery or failing to correctly diagnose a serious illness, evidence related to that negligence may help you prove wrongdoing.
Having help
You may not know whether you have a valid claim based on the details of your situation because you do not fully understand this area of law. Before you feel out of luck, you may want to have your circumstances evaluated by a legal professional. An attorney experienced in medical malpractice law may be able to assess your situation and provide you with information on your legal options.