Augusta Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Securing Justice with Augusta Medical Malpractice Lawyers: From Misdiagnosis to Surgical Errors

When we step into a healthcare facility in Augusta, Georgia, it’s often for one of two reasons: an urgent need, or a search for clarity about our health. Some enter through the emergency room or an urgent care center in need of immediate aid. Others arrive at their primary or specialty care provider hopeful for accurate diagnoses. 

But regardless of the reason for the visit, there is a universal expectation of trust and competence. We believe that emergencies will be skillfully addressed, symptoms will be rightly interpreted and if surgery becomes necessary, it will be flawlessly executed.

However, the stark reality is that each of these pivotal moments holds potential risks of medical malpractice. According to a study carried out by Johns Hopkins University, more than 250,000 people in the U.S. die every year from medical errors. In healthcare’s most crucial moments, even the smallest oversight can lead to serious or life-altering consequences. 
If you suffered an injury due to medical malpractice in the Augusta, Georgia area, you should contact Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC. Call us at 404-760-7400, or schedule a time online for a free consultation. We have decades of experience with medical malpractice litigation. We understand modern standards of care and know when they’ve been violated.

Emergency Room Negligence: How Augusta Medical Malpractice Attorneys Can Help

Every patient walking into an emergency room should feel assured of prompt and adequate medical attention. U.S. federal law sets clear guidelines for hospitals to ensure that each individual receives:

• Appropriate screening
• Appropriate emergency care and stabilization
• Appropriate transfer.

These laws apply to virtually all emergency rooms, especially those accepting Medicare.

Yet, the unfortunate reality is that errors occur. Delays in diagnosis or treatment during emergencies can drastically alter lives. In some tragic cases, they can be fatal. Such errors may include:

• Failure to diagnose critical conditions like heart attacks, strokes, or meningitis
• Medication errors
• Mistakes during intubation when a patient’s breathing is compromised
• Failure to properly stabilize self-reporting psychiatric patients who, when turned away, committed suicide or harmed other people

In the aftermath of such errors, you need medical malpractice lawyers with an understanding of malpractice law and a proven track record. 
If you or someone you know has been a victim, our Augusta medical malpractice lawyers at Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC are here to support and guide you through the process.

Misdiagnosis: When to Consult with an Augusta Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Diagnosis is the foundation of medicine. A misdiagnosis can lead to serious health risks, causing patients to undergo treatments that are at best ineffective and at worst harmful.

Some of our clients faced undiagnosed conditions like cancer, heart attacks, and meningitis, conditions that when caught early could have had vastly different outcomes. Every medical professional is expected to uphold strict standards when diagnosing a patient. Failing to do so isn’t just an oversight—it’s medical malpractice. 

According to the National Academy of Medicine, at least 5% of patients who undergo outpatient care experience a diagnostic error. 

Victims of medical malpractice deserve more than just the minimal amounts typically offered by insurance companies. They deserve compensation that genuinely acknowledges the depth of their suffering and loss.
At Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, our Augusta medical malpractice lawyers understand the standards of care for diagnosing serious conditions and we know what it looks like when a doctor violates these standards.

Surgical Errors: The Role of Your Augusta Medical Malpractice Attorney

Following diagnoses, surgery is sometimes the necessary next step. Undergoing surgery is a significant event where our opportunities for full and proper recovery are in the hands of medical professionals. We trust their expertise and skills and hope our trust is well-placed.

Yet, the statistics aren’t encouraging. Research indicates over 4,000 preventable errors happen during medical procedures annually across the U.S. Nearly 40% of these lead to permanent injury or even death. Medical errors rank third among the leading causes of death in the U.S., trailing only heart disease and cancer.

Mistakes during surgery aren’t mere oversights; they’re clear instances of medical negligence. And the aftermath of such negligence in a surgical setting can be devastating.

Here are some common surgical errors:

• Leaving instruments inside patients
• Accidentally harming a nerve, tendon, or muscle
• Amputating the wrong limb
• Anesthesia-related mistakes, including not verifying allergies
• Performing surgery when it is not medically advisable
• Infections

Your Right to Compensation: Our Augusta Medical Malpractice Attorneys Can Help You

Medical malpractice isn’t just about physical and emotional pain; it’s also about justice and rightful compensation.

There can be several causes of medical malpractice. A thorough investigation will likely be required to determine if your injury was the result of negligence.

In the state of Georgia, you have five years from the date on which the act of negligence occurred, regardless of when you first became aware of your injury, to file a medical malpractice claim.

We strongly encourage you to file a claim as soon as you suspect malpractice. This can help to avoid some of the most common complications when seeking fair and full compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to emergency room mistakes, misdiagnosis, or surgical errors, we can help. While we can’t change the past, we can fight for the compensation you deserve. At Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, our Augusta medical malpractice attorneys stand with you. Call us at 404-760-7400, or schedule a time online for a free consultation.