
Atlanta Medical Malpractice Attorney
SERIOUS CASES. SERIOUS TRIAL LAWYERS. SERIOUS RESULTS.
$
600
MILLION
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$
40
MILLION
Medical Malpractice
$
18
MILLION
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$
15.3
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$
7.9
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YOUR TRUSTED ATLANTA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEYS
Medical malpractice cases require insight into two exceptionally complicated areas: law and medicine. When you’ve suffered an injury as a result of a medical professional’s negligence, you want to find an Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer who understands the complex medical issues involved and can provide legal guidance and representation.
Our firm also understands the intricacies of medical malpractice insurance, which is crucial in navigating the complexities of these cases.
Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC offers just such understanding. Our personal injury lawyers have established themselves as Atlanta’s finest medical malpractice attorneys.
We’ve grown to understand the medicine, and we’ve forged deep connections with recognized medical experts who can help us analyze your case and establish what went wrong.
As a renowned medical malpractice law firm, we have extensive experience in handling medical negligence cases and are committed to obtaining favorable outcomes for our clients.
If you’ve been injured in Columbus, Decatur, or anywhere in the Atlanta, Georgia area and you need an experienced lawyer, please call Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC today at 404-760-7400 for a free consultation.
NO UPFRONT FEE ATLANTA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEY
We offer free consultations, and handle all our malpractice cases without any initial cost to our clients. we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you won’t incur any legal fees or upfront costs unless we win a verdict on your behalf.
SPEAK TO OUR ATLANTA LAWYERS
We place a lot of trust in medical professionals. And in many instances, we literally trust them with our lives. Doctors and nurses have difficult jobs, and most of them are ethical, committed professionals. The law has long recognized that a tragic outcome does not, by itself, qualify as medical malpractice.
However, medical professionals are still capable of making unacceptable mistakes, and those mistakes tend to result in devastating injuries to innocent patients. Medical malpractice defense attorneys play a crucial role in defending against claims, ensuring that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined and prepared for trial.
Medical malpractice law revolves around the concept of “standards of care.” A standard of care is an accepted method of treatment or prevention that a reasonably competent medical professional would be expected to follow in a given set of circumstances. Failure to follow a standard of care is often a form of negligence and is grounds for a legal claim.
If you are a victim of medical negligence, you shouldn’t try to determine on your own if your case qualifies as a malpractice lawsuit. We specialize in assisting medical malpractice victims, providing empathetic and tailored support to those harmed by medical negligence. Speak to us at a free consultation and give us the opportunity to evaluate your claim.
WHAT IS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE?
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or hospital, fails to provide adequate care to a patient, resulting in injury or harm. This can happen in various ways, including misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, and birth injuries. Medical malpractice can have severe consequences, including physical harm, emotional distress, and even death. In Atlanta, GA, medical malpractice cases are governed by Georgia law, which requires healthcare providers to meet a certain standard of care.
Definition of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice refers to the failure of a healthcare provider to meet the standard of care expected in their profession, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. This can occur in various forms, including misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, and birth injuries. Medical malpractice can be committed by any healthcare provider, including doctors, nurses, hospitals, and medical facilities.
In Georgia, medical malpractice is defined as a deviation from the standard of care that a reasonably prudent healthcare provider would have provided under similar circumstances. To establish a medical malpractice claim, the plaintiff must prove that the healthcare provider breached the standard of care, resulting in harm or injury to the patient.
Examples of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can take many forms, and it’s essential to understand the different types of malpractice that can occur. Here are some examples of medical malpractice:
- Misdiagnosis: A doctor fails to diagnose a patient’s condition correctly, leading to delayed or inappropriate treatment. For instance, a patient with a severe case of pneumonia may be misdiagnosed with a common cold, resulting in delayed antibiotic treatment. Misdiagnosis can lead to significant health deterioration and even life-threatening situations.
- Surgical Errors: A surgeon performs the wrong procedure, operates on the wrong body part, or leaves a foreign object inside the patient’s body. For example, a patient undergoing a routine gallbladder removal surgery may have their small intestine accidentally cut, leading to severe complications. Surgical errors can result in prolonged recovery times, additional surgeries, and increased medical expenses.
- Medication Errors: A doctor prescribes the wrong medication, the wrong dosage, or fails to consider a patient’s allergies or medical history. For instance, a patient with a known allergy to penicillin may be prescribed a penicillin-based antibiotic, leading to a severe allergic reaction. Medication errors can cause adverse drug reactions, worsening of the condition, or even death.
- Birth Injuries: A doctor or medical professional fails to properly monitor a mother during childbirth, leading to birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or brachial plexus injuries. These injuries can have lifelong consequences for the child and significant emotional and financial impacts on the family.
- Failure to Monitor: A doctor or medical professional fails to properly monitor a patient’s condition, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment. For example, a patient with a severe case of sepsis may not receive timely antibiotics, leading to organ failure. Proper monitoring is crucial to ensure timely and appropriate medical interventions.
- Hospital-Acquired Infections: A patient contracts an infection while in the hospital due to poor sanitation, inadequate hand hygiene, or contaminated medical equipment. Hospital-acquired infections can lead to extended hospital stays, additional treatments, and increased medical costs.
- Anesthesia Errors: An anesthesiologist administers the wrong amount of anesthesia, fails to properly monitor a patient’s vital signs, or uses defective equipment, leading to anesthesia-related complications. These errors can result in severe injury, brain damage, or even death.
- Delayed Treatment: A doctor or medical professional delays treatment, leading to worsening of a patient’s condition. For instance, a patient with a severe case of appendicitis may not receive timely surgery, leading to perforation of the appendix and peritonitis. Delayed treatment can cause preventable complications and increased suffering.
- Failure to Refer: A doctor fails to refer a patient to a specialist or fails to seek a second opinion, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment. Specialist referrals are often necessary for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plans.
- Medical Record Errors: A doctor or medical professional fails to accurately document a patient’s medical history, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Accurate medical records are essential for providing appropriate and timely care.
These examples illustrate the various ways in which medical malpractice can occur. If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, it’s essential to seek the help of an experienced Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Importance of Seeking Legal Action
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, it is essential to seek legal action to protect your rights and interests. Medical malpractice can result in significant financial losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and future medical expenses. A medical malpractice lawsuit can help you recover these losses and hold the responsible healthcare provider accountable for their actions.
Seeking legal action can also help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. By holding healthcare providers accountable for their actions, medical malpractice lawsuits can promote better patient care and safety.
HOW DO I PROVE MALPRACTICE IN GEORGIA?
To prove a medical malpractice lawsuit in Georgia, you would need to follow these essential steps:
- Establish a Doctor-Patient Relationship: You must demonstrate that there was a formal doctor-patient relationship, which creates a duty of care towards you.
- Show Breach of Duty: Prove that the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care that a competent professional in the same field would provide under similar circumstances. This often involves expert testimony to define what the standard of care is and how it was breached.
- Link the Breach to the Injury: Establish causation by showing that the provider’s negligence directly resulted in you being injured. This may also require expert testimony to draw a clear connection between the breach of duty and the injury suffered. The challenges faced in medical malpractice lawsuits are significant, and having experienced lawyers is crucial to navigate the legal complexities and secure the compensation you deserve.
- Demonstrate Damages: Finally, prove that when you got injured, your injury resulted in specific damages, such as pain, suffering, additional medical bills, loss of earning capacity, etc.
MOST COMMON TYPES OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIMS
Every malpractice claim is unique, and the compensation you can pursue will be determined by the specific circumstances of your case. And no medical malpractice attorney can promise you a specific result.
However, our specialized experience has proven invaluable for many clients, and finding the right lawyer will greatly help your case. We have helped clients who have been hurt by:
- Anesthesia errors
- Failure to diagnose
- Surgical errors
- Birth injuries
- Post-operative infections
We understand your particular set of circumstances might not fall under one of the general case types listed above. Our experienced attorneys still want to talk to you about your injuries. We’ll connect you with proven, recognized doctors who can evaluate your injuries, advise us on the important medical details of your case and help you find the proper treatment.
BENEFITS OF HIRING A MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWYER
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, hiring a medical malpractice lawyer can be beneficial in several ways. A medical malpractice lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process, gather evidence, and build a strong case against the healthcare provider. They can also negotiate with insurance companies and advocate for your rights in court. Additionally, a medical malpractice lawyer can help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. In Atlanta, GA, medical malpractice lawyers have extensive experience in handling medical malpractice cases and can provide you with the expertise and support you need.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEY
Choosing the right medical malpractice attorney is crucial to the success of your case. When selecting a medical malpractice attorney, consider their experience, expertise, and reputation. Look for an attorney who has a proven track record of handling medical malpractice cases in Atlanta, GA, and who has a deep understanding of Georgia medical malpractice law. It’s also essential to choose an attorney who is compassionate, responsive, and committed to providing personalized service. At our law firm, our medical malpractice attorneys have decades of experience in handling medical malpractice cases and are dedicated to providing exceptional service and results.
Qualities of a Top-Rated Medical Malpractice Attorney
When seeking a medical malpractice attorney, it is essential to look for certain qualities that can ensure a successful outcome. A top-rated medical malpractice attorney should have:
- Extensive experience in handling medical malpractice cases
- A deep understanding of medical malpractice law and the standard of care expected in the medical profession
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- A proven track record of success in medical malpractice cases
- A commitment to providing personalized attention and service to clients
In Atlanta, GA, there are several top-rated medical malpractice attorneys who possess these qualities. When selecting an attorney, it is essential to research their experience, reputation, and success rate in medical malpractice cases. It’s also essential to choose an attorney who is compassionate, responsive, and committed to providing personalized service.se qualities. When selecting an attorney, it is essential to research their experience, reputation, and success rate in medical malpractice cases.
FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL MEDICAL INJURY CASES
the medical negligence attorneys at at LOURIE, CHANCE, FORLINES, CARTER & KING, PC know that winning medical injury cases rely on two crucial factors:
EVIDENCE
We conduct thorough investigations to gather all relevant evidence necessary for a successful malpractice claim. We start with attaining certified copies of medical bills and records, radiology films, and, whenever applicable, an “audit trail,” which comprises electronic data enabling us to track all medical care providers who accessed the records, along with any modifications made. In certain instances, we also acquire SMS (text messages), emails, and all other forms of communication among providers regarding the patient’s care. Additionally, we interview witnesses and depose medical care providers involved in the patient’s treatment.
EXPERTS
Every medical malpractice claim in Atlanta necessitates the involvement of an expert witness to establish the applicable “standard of care” for that specific case – what a reasonably prudent healthcare provider would do in similar circumstances. Expert testimony is crucial to demonstrate how a provider breached this standard and how this breach caused the victim’s injury. LOURIE, CHANCE, FORLINES, CARTER & KING, PC collaborates with highly qualified experts across medical fields to ensure we have the best professionals evaluating your case.
LOURIE, CHANCE, FORLINES, CARTER & KING, PC works on every medical malpractice case as if it is proceeding to trial. This unique approach always facilitates the resolution of cases through mediation. Defense attorneys knowledgeable in negligence are aware of our track record of securing substantial verdicts for our Atlanta medical malpractice clients, which often enables us to resolve numerous cases without the ambiguity and high costs associated with jury trials. Our reputation as dedicated Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers committed to achieving favorable outcomes underscores our success in advocating for clients who have suffered due to medical errors.
HOW MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWYERS HANDLE CASES
Medical malpractice lawyers handle cases in a variety of ways, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Typically, a medical malpractice lawyer will begin by reviewing your medical records and gathering evidence to support your claim. They will then conduct interviews with medical professionals, experts, and other witnesses to build a strong case against the healthcare provider, often relying on expert testimony to establish the standard of care and how it was breached. If necessary, they will negotiate with insurance companies and advocate for your rights in court. Throughout the process, a medical malpractice lawyer will keep you informed and involved, ensuring that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve. In Atlanta, GA, medical malpractice lawyers are committed to providing exceptional service and results for their clients.
SETTLEMENTS YOU CAN RECOVER IN AN ATLANTA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASE?
Under Georgia law, in a medical malpractice case, an injured party may be entitled to various economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Coverage for lost income
- Coverage for medical expenses, that occurred in the past due to the incident or that are due in the future.
- Compensation for intangible harm such as emotional suffering or pain, this also includes both past and future suffering.
- If the malpractice resulted in the wrongful death of a loved one, we can pursue economic compensation for loss of financial support, as well as coverage for funeral expenses in wrongful death cases.
Learn more about medical malpractice claims in our blog
If you live in Columbus, Decatur, or anywhere in the Atlanta, Georgia area and you’ve been victimized by medical malpractice, our attorneys can help. Please contact Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC
WHAT IS THE MALPRACTICE CAP IN GEORGIA?
As of the most recent updates, Georgia does not have a cap on economic damages in medical malpractice cases, meaning compensation for direct economic losses like medical bills and lost wages can be fully claimed. However, Georgia’s Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that caps on noneconomic damages like pain and suffering were unconstitutional. Thus, there are no longer any statutory limits on the amount that can be awarded for such damages in medical malpractice suits in Georgia. This ruling allows plaintiffs to potentially receive higher compensations based on jury awards without a capped limit.
Georgia medical malpractice stats
Surgery errors
accounted for about
34
%
of inpatient claims
Errors in diagnosis
made up about
46
%
claims for outpatient incidents

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP? CONTACT OUR ATLANTA, GA LAW FIRM TODAY
Whatever the circumstances of your case, don’t hesitate to arrange a consultation with our firm. We will discuss the severity of your injuries and help you determine if we are the right firm for your Medical Malpractice case.
If you’ve been injured in the Atlanta, Georgia area and you want to speak to an experienced Medical Malpractice attorney, please contact Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC today for a no-cost consultation.
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"My siblings and I engaged Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC during an extremely stressful time in our lives, and we are thankful that they provided a warm working environment. We were highly impressed by their level of knowledge, their efficiency and their extreme professionalism. From our first contact to our very last conversation, we felt that our team at LCFCK genuinely cares about helping people."
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