Medical malpractice occurs when a medical practitioner does not exercise the degree of care, skill, or ability exercised under similar conditions and like circumstances by other reasonable medical practitioners.
Victims of Georgia medical malpractice may pay the price with permanent impairment and disability, dramatic reductions in quality of life, and loss of life. According to Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, over 98,000 hospital patients are killed by preventable medical errors each year—that doesn’t include the number of medical malpractice-related deaths occurring away from the hospital.
A prevalent type of medical malpractice is incorrect administration of medication. The Institute of Medicine estimates that in excess of 1.5 million patients suffer harm each year due to medication errors. The correct medication, the precise amount and frequency, the proper administration, and delivery to the right person are essential. Adverse drug reactions and interactions play a significant role as well.
Birth injuries—too many of them permanent—are sometimes caused by malpractice. What should be a joyous time can quickly turn tragic when obstetric mistakes and improper fetal monitoring take place.
Errors in diagnosis and delayed diagnosis can lead to dire consequences. Conditions are allowed to deteriorate and/or spread (in the case of cancer). Some mistakes are due to human error; others may be attributed to faulty equipment.
Surgical mistakes can lead to permanent, severe harm, and also death. Errors causing paralysis or loss of bodily function, surgery performed on the wrong body part, and anesthesia errors are just the tip of the iceberg.
Medical malpractice comes in many other forms as well. If you believe you or a family member may have been the victim of medical malpractice, contact an experienced Georgia medical malpractice attorney to navigate the many complex issues involved in these cases.