When doctors fail to diagnose their patients, it can lead to serious injuries and even death. Medical malpractice resulting from delayed diagnosis is a common factor in personal injury cases.
But it’s difficult to achieve a successful outcome in medical malpractice cases due to the unique challenges that can arise.
Working with a skilled personal injury attorney who understands the laws related to malpractice will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Delayed Diagnosis and Personal Injuries
Delayed diagnosis leads to injuries related to illness, chronic medical conditions, and injuries. Any errors in diagnosis can lead to aggravation of symptoms and incorrect testing or treatments.
In some cases, patients may not receive any treatment at all. As a person’s condition becomes worse, the likelihood of further injury or death increases.
Unlike other medical errors, a delayed diagnosis is an indirect cause of personal injuries. It’s the doctor’s failure to act that leads to physical harm. This makes these kinds of cases more complicated.
But when a timely diagnosis could have been made, the doctor may be held accountable for the injuries that resulted from the failure to fulfill the duty of care that exists between medical professionals and their patients.
Medical Malpractice in Georgia
Medical malpractice injuries result from negligence during the assessment and treatment of patients.
But there are several factors that must be present in a medical malpractice lawsuit including:
- An existing duty to provide adequate care
- A doctor-patient relationship
- A breach of the duty of care
- Injuries caused by a breach of duty
- Damages that directly resulted from the injuries
Your attorney will help you gather and submit the evidence needed to demonstrate the failure of your doctor to fulfill the duty of care.
If your injuries resulted from a failure to meet an established standard of care, then you may be entitled to compensation for any damages.
Additional compensation may be granted for any loss of income or earning capacity, disabilities, and pain and suffering.
Getting the Compensation You Deserve in Your Medical Malpractice Case
Meeting the requirements of medical malpractice cases is the first step in getting the compensation you need to recover from your injuries.
Proving negligence can be difficult. So having the right legal resources is essential to a successful outcome in your lawsuit.
Your attorney can help you show that a doctor-patient relationship existed as well as the ways in which your doctor failed to provide the required standard of care.
It’s important to highlight the standard of care for your case. This can make it easy to prove that your diagnosis was made too late, causing you further harm and a higher risk of future injury.
There are statutes in place that limit your ability to make a legal claim against your medical care provider. Understanding these and other restrictions ensures that you file your claim when necessary.
In Georgia, a legal claim related to malpractice must be filed within the two years after the injury occurred. Some exceptions can be made, and your attorney will help you understand the complex rules involved in medical malpractice cases.
The right legal protection will help you get compensated for injuries resulting from a delayed diagnosis. You’ll protect your rights under Georgia state laws and secure the wellbeing of you and your family’s future.
