DeKalb County Hospital Negligence Lawyer
When a hospital’s negligence leads to injuries, it may be held accountable. No matter how your injury occurred, a DeKalb County hospital negligence lawyer may be able to help. A team of seasoned malpractice attorneys could represent your interests in claims for compensation that result from both common negligence and medical malpractice. Call today and set up a consultation.
The Obligations of Hospitals to Protect Visitors
Hospitals are businesses that hold themselves open to the general public to receive medical care. As a result, any patient who visits this property has the right to expect the highest level of protection. These invited guests, or invitees as they are known under O.C.G.A. §51-3-1, are the most protected class of visitors onto other’s land.
Under this law, the hospital must take reasonable steps to protect these people from harm. This may include:
- Ensuring that all rooms have proper hand railings,
- Fixing any broken steps or other defects in the property,
- Providing well-trained orderlies to help immobile patients move around, and
- Clearing any temporary hazards that may threaten a person’s health.
As a result, hospitals have many of the same duties to protect guests as any other business. An injury that occurs as the result of a slip and fall or staff negligence could, therefore, be the basis for a hospital negligence claim. A hospital negligence lawyer in DeKalb County could help injured individuals to understand their rights as visitors to a hospital, even if they were not a patient.
Pursuing Claims Under Medical Malpractice Laws
Of course, hospitals also take on an additional duty to provide competent medical care. This means that they must protect their patients from any foreseeable harm that may result from an unsafe environment in a medical sense.
For example, hospitals are notorious breeding grounds for infections. Many people who come to the hospital do so because they contract an infectious disease. Hospitals must take appropriate care to ensure that this disease does not spread to other patients.
Other examples of medical malpractice that may result from hospital negligence include:
- Tainted blood transfusions,
- Improper sterilization techniques, and
- A failure to purchase and maintain life-saving equipment in case of an emergency.
These medical malpractice claims are more complicated than a typical claim for negligence. In fact, according to O.C.G.A. §9-11-9.1, a victim requires the testimony of a qualified medical expert witness to prove that a hospital made a medical mistake that caused a patient’s injuries. A DeKalb County hospital negligence attorney could help to evaluate the actions of hospitals to determine whether a medical malpractice claim may be appropriate. With the help of an in-house medical professional, experienced attorneys could garner useful information for court and present it with cutting-edge technology.
A DeKalb County Hospital Negligence Attorney Could Help
Whatever your situation may be, a DeKalb County hospital negligence lawyer may be able to help you. Attorneys could work to gather initial evidence, measure your losses, and choose a legal path that leads you to the best chance for success. Contact a DeKalb County hospital malpractice lawyer for a free case review. Attorneys are ready to speak directly to you and take calls after hours.
