Medical malpractice in Fulton County, Georgia, can have devastating consequences, including serious injury, prolonged treatment, and emotional stress. A medical malpractice lawyer from Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. provides experienced legal representation to help victims pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our team investigates the case thoroughly, consults medical experts, and develops strategic solutions to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. We guide clients through the legal process with personalized attention and care. Contact Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. at 678-498-1574 for a free consultation and work with a dedicated medical malpractice lawyer.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice Claims

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide a reasonable standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. In Fulton County, Georgia, victims of medical errors may have the right to pursue compensation for injuries, lost wages, and other damages. Recognizing the most common types of medical malpractice claims can help patients understand when their rights may be affected and what steps to take.

What Constitutes Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is more than just a poor outcome or an unsuccessful procedure. To establish a claim, several elements must be present:

A healthcare professional had a duty to provide a reasonable standard of care.
The professional breached that duty through action or inaction.
The breach directly caused injury or worsened an existing condition.
The injury resulted in measurable damages, such as medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.

Medical malpractice can involve doctors, nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, or other licensed medical professionals.

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors are among the most common medical malpractice claims. Mistakes can occur before, during, or after surgery and may include:

Operating on the wrong body part.
Leaving surgical instruments inside the patient.
Performing the wrong procedure.
Anesthesia errors leading to complications or brain injury.
Postoperative infections caused by negligence.

Surgical errors can have long-term consequences, including chronic pain, disability, or even death. Victims often face extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, making legal guidance essential.

Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis

Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis can prevent timely treatment for serious conditions. Examples include:

Failing to recognize cancer, heart attack, or stroke symptoms.
Confusing one condition for another, leading to incorrect treatment.
Ignoring abnormal test results or failing to follow up.

Delayed or incorrect diagnoses can allow a disease to progress, resulting in more complex treatment and poorer outcomes. Victims may pursue claims if medical professionals’ negligence caused or worsened their condition.

Medication Errors

Medication errors occur when healthcare providers prescribe, dispense, or administer the wrong drug, dosage, or frequency. Common medication mistakes include:

Prescribing medications that interact dangerously with other drugs.
Giving a patient the wrong medication or incorrect dosage.
Failing to monitor patients for adverse reactions.
Ignoring patient allergies or medical history.

Medication errors can lead to serious side effects, hospitalization, or even death. Documentation, medical records, and expert testimony are often necessary to prove negligence in these cases.

Birth Injuries and Obstetric Malpractice

Obstetric malpractice can have devastating consequences for both infants and mothers. Examples of common claims include:

Failing to detect fetal distress during labor.
Improper use of forceps or vacuum during delivery.
Delayed or negligent response to birth complications.
Neglecting to inform the mother of risks during pregnancy or delivery.

Birth injuries can result in lifelong disabilities for the child, including cerebral palsy, brain damage, or paralysis. Families may seek compensation to cover medical care, therapy, and other support costs.

Emergency Room Errors

Emergency rooms are fast-paced environments where mistakes can occur under pressure. Common ER errors include:

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of serious conditions.
Failure to perform necessary tests.
Medication mistakes.
Inadequate monitoring of patients.

Because emergency care often involves critical situations, errors can lead to severe injury or death. Legal action may be necessary to hold providers accountable.

Hospital Negligence

Hospitals themselves can be liable for negligence, not just individual healthcare providers. Common examples include:

Improper sterilization practices leading to infections.
Failing to maintain safe conditions for patients.
Inadequate staffing or supervision.
Neglecting to ensure proper procedures and protocols are followed.

Hospital negligence claims often require detailed investigation and expert testimony to establish the chain of responsibility.

Dental Malpractice

Dental malpractice can also cause significant injury. Examples include:

Nerve damage during dental procedures.
Infection due to poor hygiene or sterilization.
Improper extractions or implants.
Failure to diagnose oral cancers or other serious conditions.

Although dental claims may seem less severe, they can result in chronic pain, disfigurement, or loss of function, justifying compensation.

Proving a Medical Malpractice Claim

Successfully pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Fulton County requires establishing the standard of care, showing how it was breached, and linking that breach to the injury. Key steps include:

Obtaining complete medical records.
Consulting medical experts to evaluate the care provided.
Documenting all treatments, hospital stays, and expenses.
Gathering witness statements or testimony when relevant.
Filing the claim within Georgia’s statute of limitations, typically two years from the date the injury was discovered.

An experienced personal injury attorney can guide victims through these steps and help ensure their claim meets legal requirements.

Compensation

Victims may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the severity of their injury. These can include:

Medical expenses, including past and future care.
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
Pain and suffering.
Emotional distress or psychological impact.
In some cases, punitive damages if the provider’s actions were particularly reckless.

The amount of compensation varies based on the facts of the case, the degree of negligence, and the long-term impact on the victim’s life.

Medical malpractice encompasses a range of incidents, from surgical errors and misdiagnoses to birth injuries and hospital negligence. Understanding the most common types of claims helps patients recognize when their rights may have been violated and what evidence is necessary to pursue a claim.

Protect Your Health With a Medical Malpractice Attorney

Medical malpractice in Fulton County, Georgia, can have devastating consequences, including severe injury, prolonged treatment, and emotional distress. A medical malpractice attorney from Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. provides experienced representation to help victims pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our team investigates cases thoroughly, consults with medical experts, and develops strategies to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. We guide clients through the legal process with personalized attention and support. Contact Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. at 678-498-1574 for a free consultation and partner with a dedicated medical malpractice attorney.