If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice in Atlanta, it is important to know your legal rights and options. Medical malpractice can occur whenever a medical professional breaches the professional standard of care and causes harm to a patient.
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Why Choose Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Atlanta?
How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Atlanta Can Help You
What are the Legal Requirements for a Medical Malpractice Case?
Do I Have a Time Limit to File for a Case?
Who Can Be Liable for Medical Malpractice?
What are the Potential Damages from a Medical Malpractice Case?
How Much Can I Recover from Medical Malpractice Cases?
What is Medical Malpractice?
Common Causes of Medical Malpractice
What to do After Medical Malpractice?
Atlanta Medical Malpractice Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Choose Our Atlanta Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
Our Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers have the experience and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex legal system and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call our law firm, Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.
Meet Attorney and Founder: Julie A. Rice
Since 1994, Julie A. Rice has been practicing law in metro Atlanta and beyond. With a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Minnesota, she majored in Psychology and Women’s Studies and minored in Scandinavian Studies. She then obtained her Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1993. Julie became a licensed attorney in Georgia on June 4, 1994, and is listed in the State Bar of Georgia under Julie A. Rice or Julie A. Hauge Rice, Attorney at Law.
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“Energetic, knowledgeable and innovative! Julie is accomplished at many topics; I’ve used her services over the past 20 years for employment benefits, vehicle and property damage, landlord-tenant issues, wills & legacy planning, even divorce.”
– ANONYMOUS CLIENT
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“I highly recommend her as your attorney. My family and I interviewed several attorneys before we found Ms. Rice. This attorney knows the law. We found her to be attentive, precise and thorough in every way.”
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Notable Case Results for Medical Malpractice in Atlanta
$5 MILLION – LAB ERROR/UNNECESSARY SURGERY
$3.7 MILLION – BIRTH INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
$1 MILLION – NURSING HOME MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
$900,000 – MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
How Can A Medical Malpractice Attorney in Atlanta Help You?
It is crucial that victims of medical malpractice in Atlanta contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Insurance adjusters and lawyers for the liable medical professional will already be working to minimize their clients’ liability, and victims need representation to protect their rights and ensure they receive full compensation for their damages.
At our law firm, we understand the devastating impact that medical malpractice can have on patients and their families, and we are committed to helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses.
We have extensive experience representing clients in all types of medical malpractice cases, including nursing home neglect and abuse, misdiagnosis, birth injuries, surgical errors, medication errors in Atlanta. We work closely with medical experts to build strong cases for our clients, and we are not afraid to take on even the largest medical professionals and insurance companies.
The Legal Requirements for Medical Malpractice Claims in Atlanta, Georgia
In Georgia, medical malpractice claims are subject to strict legal requirements. To prove medical malpractice, you must show that:
- Duty: The medical professional had a duty to provide you with a reasonable standard of care
- Breach of Duty: The medical professional committed a breach of duty by failing to provide you with a reasonable standard of care
- Injury: The breach of duty caused you injury
- Actual Damages: You suffered actual damages as a result of the injury
The Difficulty With Medical Malpractice Claims
The complexities involved in pursuing a medical malpractice claim make it imperative for claimants to seek the services of a competent legal professional. Even the slightest mistake could have significant implications, potentially jeopardizing the entire case. Only an experienced Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer possesses the necessary experience to navigate the intricacies of such claims.
Additionally, medical malpractice cases can prove to be financially draining. Claimants are often required to engage medical experts to provide evidence that their injuries were a direct result of the medical professional’s negligence. The cost of retaining such professionals can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, making it crucial for victims of medical malpractice to select a lawyer who specializes in such claims and possesses the financial resources to engage the necessary experts to pursue their case effectively.
The Time Limit For Medical Malpractice Claims in Georgia
Medical malpractice claims in Georgia are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This means that you must file your claim within two years of the date of the injury or the date on which you discovered the injury. Failure to file within this time frame can result in the loss of your right to seek compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Medical Malpractice?
A medical malpractice claim can be filed against any medical professional or facility that provided substandard care that led to the harm you suffered. This includes:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Urgent care facilities
Potential Damages In A Medical Malpractice Claim in Atlanta
Victims of medical malpractice in Atlanta can seek compensation for physical, emotional, and financial damages, including but not limited to the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of love, companionship, and affection if the victim dies
- Medical bills
- Lost wages from time off work
- Funeral and burial expense
Calculating Damages and Compensation in Medical Malpractice Claims in Georgia
When pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Atlanta, understanding how damages and compensation are calculated is crucial. The damages awarded in a medical malpractice case aim to compensate the injured party for the losses and harm they have suffered due to medical negligence. As an experienced Atlanta medical malpractice attorney, we are well-versed in the various factors considered when determining the appropriate amount of compensation in such cases.
Economic Damages:
Economic damages in medical malpractice claims encompass the financial losses incurred by the victim as a direct result of the negligence. These damages are typically easier to quantify as they involve tangible expenses and losses. Examples of economic damages include:
Medical Expenses: This includes past and future medical bills, hospitalization costs, surgical procedures, medication expenses, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical treatment related to the malpractice incident.
Lost Wages: If the victim was unable to work or suffered a reduction in earning capacity due to the malpractice, they may be entitled to compensation for the income they lost during their recovery period and potentially in the future.
Additional Expenses: Other financial losses such as transportation costs to medical appointments, home modifications, or the need for assistive devices resulting from the malpractice may also be included as economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages:
Non-economic damages refer to the intangible losses that are more subjective in nature and can be challenging to quantify. These damages aim to compensate the victim for the pain, suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life caused by the medical negligence. Factors considered when calculating non-economic damages may include:
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress experienced as a result of the malpractice incident and subsequent treatment.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the victim’s ability to engage in activities they previously enjoyed has been significantly impaired or lost entirely, they may be entitled to compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.
Emotional Distress: The psychological impact of medical malpractice can be profound. Compensation may be awarded for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues caused by the negligence.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded to the victim as a means of punishing the healthcare provider for particularly reckless or intentional misconduct. These damages go beyond compensation and are designed to deter others from engaging in similar behavior.
Calculating the appropriate amount of damages and compensation in a medical malpractice case is a complex process that requires a thorough examination of the evidence, expert opinions, and legal expertise. As your Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys, we will work diligently to ensure all relevant factors are considered, and you receive the maximum compensation you deserve for the injuries or wrongful death you or a loved one has endured.
Please note that the specific laws and regulations governing medical malpractice claims in Atlanta may vary, and it is important to consult with a qualified Atlanta medical malpractice attorney to understand how these principles apply to your individual case.
What Is Medical Malpractice in Atlanta?
Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional fails to provide medical care that a reasonable medical professional would have provided under the same or similar circumstances, resulting in harm to the patient. It is important to note that a bad medical outcome does not necessarily mean medical malpractice occurred. To prove medical malpractice, the patient must show that the medical professional breached the professional standard of care and that their medical malpractice injuries are a direct result of that breach.
Common Causes of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can result from a medical professional’s failure to perform their duties competently. Some of the most common causes of medical malpractice in health care include:
- Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose: Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a medical condition can be a devastating form of medical malpractice. When a medical professional fails to diagnose a condition or misdiagnoses a condition, the patient may not receive the treatment they need, and their condition may worsen over time.
- Surgical Errors: Surgical errors can occur when a surgeon fails to perform a procedure correctly, uses the wrong surgical technique, or causes an injury during surgery. Surgical errors can cause significant harm to patients, including nerve damage, infection, and other complications.
- Medication Errors: Medication errors can occur when a medical professional prescribes the wrong medication, provides the wrong dosage, or fails to account for a patient’s allergies or other medical conditions. Medication errors can cause serious harm, including organ damage, overdose, and even death.
- Birth Injuries: Birth injuries can occur when medical professionals fail to provide appropriate care during childbirth. Birth injuries can range from minor injuries, such as bruises and cuts, to more severe injuries, such as cerebral palsy or other neurological conditions. Learn more about birth injury accidents in Atlanta here.
- Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse: Nursing home neglect or abuse can occur when medical professionals fail to provide adequate care to nursing home residents. Neglect or abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect of basic care needs. If a you or a loved one has been abused in a nursing home, contact our nursing home neglect lawyers in Atlanta today.
Other common causes of medical malpractice include emergency room mistakes, anesthesia errors, lack of informed consent, and medical record mistakes.
What to Do After Medical Malpractice in Atlanta
If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice in Atlanta, you may be able to bring a medical malpractice lawsuit against the medical professional or facility responsible for your care. Here are some steps you can take to preserve evidence and protect your right to compensation:
- Write down the names of all the medical professionals involved
- Gather medical records for the dates of service involved
- Get an experienced Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer involved as soon as possible
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Atlanta Medical Malpractice FAQs
How do I know if I have a valid medical malpractice case?
To determine if you have a valid case, you must establish that the healthcare provider’s negligence directly caused your injury and that the standard of care was breached. Consulting a medical malpractice attorney in Atlanta for a case evaluation is recommended.
Do I need to go to court for a medical malpractice case?
Not all cases go to court. Many cases are settled through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution methods. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your Atlanta medical malpractice attorney may recommend taking the case to court to secure your rights and compensation.
How long does a medical malpractice case take to resolve?
The duration of a medical malpractice case varies. Some cases can be resolved within a few months, while others might take several years, especially if they go to trial. Factors influencing the timeline include the complexity of the case, court availability, and negotiation efforts.
Contact Our Atlanta Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today
Medical malpractice claims are complex injury cases and require knowledge of the law, medical procedures, and medical ethics. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers in Atlanta have the skills and experience to represent victims of medical malpractice and hold medical professionals accountable for their negligence.
If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice in Atlanta, contact Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates, P.C. Call our law firm today at (770) 865-8654 or contact us to schedule a free consultation with experienced Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys. We charge no fee unless we win compensation for you. Let us help you get the justice you deserve.