Liability in Fulton County Surgical Error Cases

Surgical errors can have devastating consequences, causing patients to suffer lasting injuries and damages. Fortunately, state law provides an avenue for injured patients to seek compensation from the person responsible for their damages. If you were harmed by a negligent medical professional, you may have the right to file a legal claim.

It is important to note that you may not recover compensation unless you successfully prove the other party is at fault. If you are considering taking legal action, speak with a seasoned lawyer about liability in Fulton County surgical error cases.

Under What Circumstances Would a Medical Provider be Liable for a Surgical Error?

Even when medical providers do everything right, there are still risks to surgery. A certain procedure may not have the desired outcome, or an unpredictable complication may arise. In cases such as these, patients are generally not able to hold the medical provider legally responsible.

Medical providers can only be held liable for surgical errors that stem from a deviation in the standard of care. That departure from the standard of care could happen before, during, or after surgery. Further, the breach in the standard of care must have directly caused an injury.

If a patient can prove the medical provider committed an error but cannot show compensable damages, he or she would not have a valid claim. Those who are unsure whether they have an actionable case should contact an attorney for legal advice.

Potential Liable Parties in a Malpractice Case in Fulton County

One common misconception in surgical error cases is that the surgeon is the main person operating on the patient and therefore is the only one who can be responsible. While surgeons are often responsible, there are many other medical professionals that play important roles in a surgery.

There may be multiple surgeons, surgical assistants, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and scrub nurses involved in the procedure. All of these medical professionals could bear different levels of responsibility for an error.

In cases involving several potentially liable parties, certain individuals may attempt to shift the blame to others. This can make assigning liability difficult in a surgical error case. A hard-working lawyer could assess the evidence thoroughly to determine what happened and who bears fault for the incident.

Surgical Assistants and Surgeons in Training

Occasionally, surgeons bring in surgical assistants or surgeons in training to help with a procedure. In these cases, the patient may not be aware of how much of the procedure the younger surgeon is conducting. When an assistant or resident is responsible for an error, the supervising surgeon may be held liable.

Discuss Liability in Fulton County Surgical Error Cases with an Attorney

Surgical error cases are complex. There are rules of evidence and law that are difficult to understand without extensive legal training. Working with a lawyer experienced in these types of cases could give you the best chance at a successful outcome. Call us today to speak with a lawyer about liability in Fulton County surgical error cases.