Gwinnett County Hospital Negligence Lawyer
When a medical professional is negligent in his or her duty to provide reasonable care and skill when treating patients, injured individuals may be eligible to recover compensation against the medical professional. Contact a Gwinnett County hospital negligence lawyer today if you believe your injuries were caused by medical negligence. A personal injury attorney that utilizes cutting-edge technology and an in-house doctor could evaluate your case and help determine whether you have a strong claim for compensation.
Instances of Hospital Negligence
Hospital negligence may manifest in numerous forms. However, some of the most common instances of this type of negligence include:
- Understaffing,
- Improper hiring or training measures, and
- Unsanitary procedures,
An attorney in Gwinnett County could investigate the circumstances of a victim’s injuries to assess whether hospital negligence was to blame.
Recovering Compensation in a Hospital Negligence Claim
In the event of successful jury verdict or settlement negotiation, injured parties could be compensated for the losses they endured. Compensation could include:
- Lost income,
- Medical expenses,
- Rehabilitation costs,
- Future reduced earning capacity,
- Prescription costs,
- Therapy,
- Loss of life enjoyment, and
- Pain and suffering.
In specific scenarios, the court may also deem it appropriate to award punitive damages to the victim. Punitive damages punish the at-fault party in cases of egregious negligence and dissuade others who may act similarly in the future.
Hospital Liability Rules
In the State of Georgia, physicians and other medical providers are required to meet the standard of care expected of professionals in their field. If a physician or other healthcare worker fails to utilize the degree of care and skill exercised in his or her field, the medical professional and/or hospital may be held legally liable if a patient is injured.
Establishing liability is especially complex in hospital negligence cases, particularly because these facilities frequently retain doctors as independent contractors rather than employees. If a medical professional is an employee of the hospital and commits an act of negligence, the hospital could be legally liable based on the doctrine of vicarious liability.
Conversely, if the doctor or other staff member is an independent contractor, the actual medical professional could be held liable if his or her negligence injures a patient. In certain situations, even when the negligent party is an independent contractor, the hospital could still be legally liable if careless hiring procedures, poor staffing protocols, or other instances of negligent oversight contributed to the victim’s harm. A hospital attorney in Gwinnett County could investigate and hold a medical provider and any other liable parties accountable for negligence with the help of an in-house medical professional and cutting-edge technology.
Shared Liability Rules
In cases involving shared liability between the patient and the healthcare provider, the state’s comparative fault rules would apply. Consistent with O.C.G.A. §51-12-33, a victim may still recover compensation if his or her share of fault is 49 percent or below. However, if the victim’s degree of liability is equal to or exceeds 50 percent, that victim may be deprived of financial recovery.
Set Up An Appointment with a Gwinnett County Hospital Negligence Attorney
If you or your loved one has been harmed due to medical negligence, a Gwinnett County hospital negligence lawyer could assist you. A seasoned attorney could provide a comprehensive evaluation of your potential claim, determine who may be held legally liable for your losses, and seek fair compensation for your injuries.
Learn more about what legal recourse may be available to you by scheduling your free consultation with an attorney who takes calls at all hours today.
