Medical malpractice is a growing epidemic in the United States. Although medical professionals take an oath to protect their patients, each year, thousands of patients file malpractice lawsuits. When an individual is injured by their doctor, the injured party needs to be aware of the rights they hold and what can be done to help them pursue compensation. Hiring a medical malpractice lawyer in Newnan, GA is a good start in pursuing the process.
Georgia Laws Governing Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a physician, healthcare professional or hospital causes a patient to become injured due to negligence or omission. In the state of Georgia, an injured patient has a two-year statute of limitations. This means they must file their lawsuit within the two-year time period after the incident occurred.
It is important to note that the date of injury may be different from the date of the incident that caused the injury. In Georgia, injured patients are limited to a five-year statute of repose, which means they must file a lawsuit within five years of the date of the incident that caused their injury, even if they found out much later they were injured.
What Must Be Proven?
Being able to prove the damages occurred is one thing, but it is even more difficult to prove a doctor or hospital is responsible. Many injured individuals end up hiring a medical malpractice lawyer in Newnan, GA. Hiring a lawyer will help an injured victim to be able to gather the extensive evidence that is so vital to being able to prove liability in any medical malpractice claim.
It is important injured victims are able to understand what must be proven in their medical malpractice claim. The following will need to be fully established before pursuing a lawsuit:
- A legal duty must have existed between the doctor and their patient.
- A breach of the professional duty must have occurred.
- The breach in duty of care must have directly caused the patient’s injuries.
- The patient must have suffered measurable damages as a result of the injury.
If you need to learn more about medical malpractice or would like to know how a lawyer can help, visit Website Domain and call the office today to schedule an appointment.
