Robert Hammers | August 26, 2026 | Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can happen when a healthcare provider fails to meet the applicable standard of care and harms a patient. Common types of medical malpractice in Atlanta include diagnosis errors, surgical mistakes, medication errors, birth injuries, and poor follow-up care.
A bad medical result does not always mean malpractice occurred. A claim must generally show that a provider failed to meet the applicable standard of care and that this failure caused an injury.
Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
A diagnosis error can prevent a patient from getting the treatment they need. A delay can also allow an illness or injury to become worse.
Examples may include:
- Failing to diagnose cancer
- Missing signs of a heart attack or stroke
- Misdiagnosing an infection
- Failing to order needed tests
- Misreading test or imaging results
A patient generally must show that a careful provider would have acted differently and that the error caused harm.
Surgical Errors
All surgeries have risks, but some injuries result from mistakes that could have been prevented.
Surgical errors may include:
- Operating on the wrong body part
- Performing the wrong procedure
- Leaving an object inside the patient
- Damaging nearby organs or nerves
- Failing to monitor the patient after surgery
A surgeon may not be the only person at fault. Nurses, hospitals, anesthesiologists, and other members of the medical team may also cause or add to an injury.
Medication and Prescription Errors
Medication errors can occur when a patient receives the wrong drug, the wrong dose, or an unsafe drug due to an allergy or interaction.
The mistake may happen when a doctor writes a prescription, a pharmacy fills it, or hospital staff gives the drug to the patient. Finding out where the error happened can help show who may be at fault.
Birth Injuries
Mistakes during pregnancy, labor, or delivery can harm a mother or baby.
Examples may include:
- Failing to notice fetal distress
- Waiting too long to perform a C-section
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum devices
- Missing pregnancy problems
- Medication or anesthesia errors
Some birth injuries can cause lasting health problems and require years of medical care.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia errors can cause brain injuries, organ damage, heart problems, and other serious harm.
An anesthesiologist must review the patient’s medical history, use the proper dose, watch vital signs, and respond to problems. A mistake during any of these steps can put the patient at risk.
Failure to Treat or Monitor a Patient
A doctor may make the right diagnosis but still provide poor care afterward.
For example, a provider may fail to order needed treatment, release a patient too soon, ignore an abnormal test result, or fail to watch for changes in the patient’s condition. Hospitals and nursing staff may also be at fault when poor monitoring causes harm.
Lack of Informed Consent
Informed consent requires healthcare providers to give patients certain information before specified medical procedures so they can make informed decisions about their care.
Under Georgia law, specific informed consent requirements apply to certain surgical and diagnostic procedures. Depending on the procedure, required information can include its nature and purpose, material risks, and practical alternatives. A failure to obtain legally required informed consent may become an issue when a patient suffers harm related to the procedure.
Georgia Medical Malpractice Claim Requirements
Georgia has special rules for filing medical malpractice cases. A lawsuit generally must include an expert affidavit that identifies at least one claimed act of negligence and explains the basis for it. A qualified expert must provide the affidavit.
Georgia generally gives patients two years from the date an injury or death arising from a negligent or wrongful act or omission occurred to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. A five-year statute of repose also applies to many claims. Exceptions and special rules can affect these deadlines, so the filing period should be evaluated based on the facts of each case.
Contact the Atlanta Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Medical malpractice cases can involve complex questions about the standard of care, causation, and the extent of a patient’s injuries. Georgia also imposes special requirements on these lawsuits, including expert affidavit rules and strict filing deadlines.
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can review your medical care, gather evidence, and work with qualified experts to determine whether you may have a claim. Contact our Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.
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