Did a medical mistake leave you or a loved one with a spinal cord injury (SCI)? A catastrophic injury is devastating enough. It can be even more traumatic when a medical provider’s negligence causes it. Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers is here to fight for your future and help you hold the negligent provider accountable.
We have more than 50 years of experience handling complex medical malpractice cases in Atlanta, GA. Schedule a free consultation today at (770) 390-7550 with an Atlanta malpractice attorney. We’ll listen to your story and help you explore your options for securing the financial support you need.
Why Choose Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers?
Medical malpractice is one of the most complex areas of personal injury law. When a spinal cord injury permanently alters the course of your life in Atlanta, Georgia, the stakes are even higher. It’s crucial to choose an attorney with experience litigating medical malpractice cases.
At Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers, we bring more than 50 years of experience to every case we handle. Since 1965, our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars. We fight for clients whose lives were turned upside-down when the healthcare system failed them. When your future is on the line, you need a law firm with a proven track record.
Recognized as Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, we are trusted by clients and respected by peers. We take a meticulous approach to investigate and prepare each case with the attention and resources it deserves. Our unwavering goal is to achieve the best possible results for our clients.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation with an Atlanta medical malpractice attorney. We’re ready to help you.
How Can Medical Malpractice Cause a Spinal Cord Injury?
While traumatic accidents cause most SCIs, almost 4% are due to medical or surgical complications. This may include degenerative conditions, infections, and tumors. It also includes treatment complications and medical errors.
Medical malpractice happens when a provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care. A spinal cord injury may occur if a condition is allowed to worsen or progress. It can also be caused by avoidable complications or an incorrectly performed procedure.
Some common examples of medical negligence that may lead to a spinal cord injury include:
- Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of a spinal condition. Examples include spinal stenosis, spinal epidural abscess (SEA), vertebral fractures, and spondylolisthesis.
- Inadequate care of a spinal infection or tumor. This may allow the condition to spread and compress the spinal cord or limit blood flow.
- Spinal and epidural anesthesia errors. These techniques can be risky without close monitoring and risk assessment. Improper technique can also cause trauma.
- Surgical errors. Improper hardware placement or errant incisions can cause nerve damage or dural tears.
A thorough investigation will be necessary if you suspect a medical error or poor care caused your injury. Medical malpractice can be difficult to recognize and even more challenging to prove.
Why Do Medical Errors Happen?
Most doctors and healthcare providers want the best for their patients. However, medical professionals are human and sometimes make mistakes. Sometimes these errors have life-changing consequences for patients.
Common root causes of medical errors include:
- Poor communication between doctors, nurses, specialists, and patients
- Cognitive biases that affect a provider’s decision-making and interpretation of information
- Physician burnout or fatigue, which can reduce focus and accuracy
- Heavy workloads that limit the time a provider spends with each patient
- Understaffing, leading to rushed care and missed warning signs
- Inadequate oversight or supervision, especially in teaching hospitals
When these problems occur, patients often pay the price. If a medical error caused your spinal cord injury, it’s important to know you may have legal options to hold the negligent provider accountable.
Who Can Be Liable For Malpractice That Causes a Spinal Cord Injury In Georgia?
When a spinal cord injury results from medical malpractice, more than one party may be responsible. Georgia law allows victims to hold any healthcare provider or institution accountable. Identifying all liable parties ensures you recover the full compensation you deserve.
Those who may be held liable for a malpractice-related spinal cord injury include:
- Doctors and specialists
- Surgeons, including general and orthopedic surgeons
- Anesthesiologists
- Nurses and other medical staff
- Technicians
- Chiropractors
- Hospitals and surgical centers
- Medical groups or clinics
Your lawyer will investigate your case to identify all parties who may share blame.
How Do You Prove Medical Malpractice Caused a Spinal Cord Injury?
Proving that medical malpractice caused a spinal cord injury is rarely simple. You must show that the provider failed to provide the medical standard of care in your case. You must also show that their error or breach of duty directly led to your injury. Substantial evidence and expert testimony are essential.
Evidence in your case may include:
- Medical records that show diagnostic history, tests ordered, and treatments you received
- Diagnostic test results such as MRIs, CT scans, or lab reports
- Witness testimony
- Expert medical testimony from relevant specialists
- Documentation of your damages
In Georgia, medical malpractice cases almost always depend on expert testimony. These experts help establish the standard of care in your case. An expert can testify what should have been done, how your care fell short, and how this caused your injury.
Without this testimony, it’s nearly impossible to prove negligence in court.
Contact Our Atlanta Medical Malpractice Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Are you facing an uncertain future due to a medical provider’s negligence? Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers has been fighting for injured patients for over 60 years. We’ll pursue maximum compensation to preserve your quality of life and security.
Call our law office for a free consultation with an Atlanta malpractice attorney. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing out of pocket for the tireless representation you deserve.