When you visit a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, you expect to receive medical care that helps you recover from an injury or illness. Unfortunately, patients sometimes develop infections during their hospital stays, leading to additional medical treatment, prolonged recovery periods, and serious complications.
At Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers, our experienced attorneys help patients who have suffered harm due to negligent medical care. If you or a loved one developed a preventable infection at an Atlanta hospital, contact us today at (770) 390-7550 for a free consultation with an Atlanta hospital-acquired infection lawyer.
How Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Hospital-Acquired Infection in Atlanta, GA
Hospital malpractice cases are some of the most complex civil claims you can pursue. Hospitals have teams of attorneys to help fight claims, which means you could end up walking away with no financial help if you try to file a malpractice claim without legal assistance. When dealing with the potential consequences of hospital-acquired infections, you can’t take this risk.
At Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers, our Atlanta hospital malpractice attorneys know how to help you through this stressful process.
We offer services that include:
- Assessment of your case during a free consultation
- Investigation of the malpractice that led to the infection
- Collection of evidence, including expert witness statements
- Calculation of your full losses
- Negotiations with insurance providers
- Litigation, as necessary
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer.
The Dangers of Hospital-Acquired Infections
Hospital-acquired infections, also called nosocomial infections, are illnesses you can catch when getting treated in a hospital or other medical facility.
The most common types of these infections are:
- Bloodstream infections
- Pneumonia
- Surgical site infections
- Urinary tract infections
Frail and elderly patients are most at risk, as are people with weak immune systems or those with invasive medical devices such as tubes or lines. Anyone can develop an infection, though. If you do suffer a hospital-acquired infection, the consequences are potentially severe.
Many of the pathogens you could be exposed to in a hospital are resistant to antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an example. It can quickly lead to abscesses that could result in life-threatening sepsis. Because these pathogens don’t respond well to typical antibiotics, they can be much more difficult to treat.
If you develop an infection in the hospital, you will have a longer hospital stay. Aside from the expenses associated with this, you could be exposed to further health issues.
What Causes Hospital-Acquired Infections?
Hospital-acquired infections can develop when healthcare providers fail to follow proper safety and infection control procedures. While not all infections are preventable, some result from medical negligence.
Common causes of hospital-acquired infections include:
- Contaminated medical equipment: Improperly sterilized surgical instruments and equipment can introduce harmful bacteria.
- Poor hand hygiene: Healthcare professionals who fail to wash their hands or use gloves properly can spread infections.
- Improper catheter or IV care: Mistakes during insertion or maintenance can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream.
- Contaminated ventilators: Improper cleaning of respiratory equipment can increase the risk of serious lung infections.
- Surgical errors: Failure to maintain a sterile environment during surgery can expose patients to dangerous pathogens.
- Inadequate post-surgical care: Failing to monitor wounds, change dressings, or recognize infection symptoms can cause serious complications.
When these infections result from preventable medical mistakes, patients may have grounds to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
Can I Sue a Hospital for a Hospital-Acquired Infection in Atlanta?
Yes, you may be able to sue a hospital for a hospital-acquired infection if medical negligence caused your illness. However, developing an infection during a hospital stay does not automatically mean malpractice occurred.
To pursue a successful medical malpractice claim in Georgia, you generally must establish that:
- A duty of care existed: The hospital or healthcare provider was responsible for providing appropriate medical care.
- The standard of care was breached: A healthcare professional failed to meet accepted medical standards.
- The breach caused your infection: The provider’s negligence directly contributed to your infection.
- You suffered damages: The infection caused additional medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, or other losses.
Medical records, infection control reports, and expert testimony may help establish whether your infection resulted from negligent care. An experienced Atlanta hospital-acquired infection attorney can evaluate your case and help determine whether you have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Contact Our Atlanta Hospital-Acquired Infections Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you developed a hospital-acquired infection due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Proving malpractice can be challenging, making experienced legal representation essential.
At Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers, our team is committed to helping injured patients pursue the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta hospital-acquired infection attorney and learn more about your legal options.
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