Have you lost a limb due to medical malpractice in Atlanta, GA? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Proving that medical negligence occurred in a hospital takes significant knowledge of the law as well as a clear understanding of how to negotiate with insurance companies.
At Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers, our team of Atlanta amputation injury lawyers can help you get started on your claim. We have over 50 years of experience and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
Contact our law office today at (770) 390-7550 to schedule a free consultation.
How Malone Law Can Help After Limb Loss From a Surgical Error in Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys at Malone Law can assist you with the legal process. We offer services such as:
- An in-depth look into the surgical error that led to the loss of a limb
- Collection of evidence to demonstrate that medical negligence occurred
- Calculation of damages
- Negotiations with insurance adjusters
- Representation in court, if needed
Our Atlanta surgical error attorneys have been fighting for decades to obtain fair compensation for our clients so that they can address medical expenses, lost wages, and the emotional toll their injuries have had on their lives.
Contact our law office in Atlanta, Georgia, today to schedule a free consultation.
What Surgical Errors Can Cause Limb Loss?
In the United States, more than one in three surgical patients has adverse events related to their care. These errors can occur before, during, or after surgery, and could lead to catastrophic injuries, including limb loss.
Losing a limb because of a healthcare provider’s negligence is one of the most devastating injuries you can suffer. There are a few types of errors that can cause these catastrophic consequences.
Wrong Site or Wrong Patient Errors
Operating on the wrong site can damage a potentially healthy limb while also not addressing the problems of the affected limb. In some instances, the wrong person may be taken into surgery, potentially resulting in the amputation of a completely healthy body part. Unfortunately, wrong-site and wrong-patient errors are too common.
Damage to Blood Vessels
If the healthcare provider is negligent with the tools they use during the surgery, they can cause damage to blood vessels. This can result in severe blood loss and the limb not being able to receive the oxygen-rich blood it needs. That can cause tissue death, which could require the removal of the limb.
Foreign Objects Left in the Body
Medical professionals who aren’t careful about ensuring that all surgical instruments are accounted for at the end of surgery or those who leave any kind of foreign object behind could put a patient in danger. The object can move and cut vital tissues, or it can cause serious infections that put not only the limb at risk but also the life of the patient on the line.
Infections
Even after the surgery is over, patients need to be closely monitored to ensure no adverse effects occur as they recover. That includes checking for signs of infections.
Not acting quickly if there are risks of contamination of any sort could mean developing septicemia, also called blood poisoning, which could lead to gangrenous tissue. If the tissue isn’t removed in time, a system-wide infection could put the person at risk.
Unaddressed Blood Clots
After surgery, there is an increased risk of developing blood clots. If these are not spotted in time and addressed, they can cause blockages, which will prevent blood or oxygen from reaching the impacted limb, leading to tissue death.
How Long Do I Have to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Georgia?
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for most medical malpractice lawsuits is generally two years from the date of the injury or from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
However, there is also a “statute of repose” which sets an absolute deadline of five years from the date of the negligent act, regardless of when the injury was discovered. There are some exceptions to these rules, such as cases involving foreign objects left in the body or if the injured party was a minor.
It is crucial to consult with an experienced attorney to understand how these deadlines apply to your specific situation.
Contact Our Atlanta Surgical Error Lawyers for A Free Consultation
When you get any type of medical treatment, you’re putting your trust in professionals to keep you safe, but they don’t always succeed in doing so. If you have sustained limb loss because of medical negligence, you may be entitled to begin a claim against the liable parties. However, identifying these parties and proving they were negligent isn’t easy.
At Malone Law, our Atlanta surgical error attorneys can assist you as you fight for your rights. Contact us for a no-cost consultation so that you can understand your options.