Negligence in Georgia: Emergency Room Malpractice

When a medical emergency strikes, many people turn to their local emergency rooms throughout Georgia with the expectation of receiving prompt and effective care. Emergency room healthcare providers play a critical role in saving lives and providing essential medical treatment. However, when errors and negligence occur in the emergency room, the consequences can be devastating.

Emergency Room Use in Georgia

According to the most recent annual data:

• There were 1.8 million emergency room visits in Georgia.
• The most common reasons for emergency room visits in Georgia were respiratory infections, abdominal pain, and injuries.
• The average wait time for an emergency room visit in Georgia was 2 hours and 31 minutes.
• The average stay in an emergency room in Georgia was 5 hours and 20 minutes.
• The most common emergency room procedures in Georgia were blood tests, X-rays, and urinalysis.
• The most common emergency room medications prescribed in Georgia were antibiotics, pain relievers, and anti-inflammatory medications.
• The average cost of an emergency room visit in Georgia was $1,294.

What is Emergency Room Malpractice?

Emergency room malpractice is a type of medical malpractice that occurs when an emergency room doctor or other healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, and this failure causes harm to a patient.

Common Types of Emergency Room Malpractice

Some of the most common types of emergency room malpractice include:

• Misdiagnosis
• Delayed diagnosis
• Failure to treat
• Medication errors
• Surgical errors
• Improper use of medical equipment
• Failure to monitor patients properly

Signs and Symptoms of Emergency Room Malpractice

If you have been injured by emergency room malpractice, you may experience a variety of symptoms, including:

• Worsening of your medical condition
• New medical problems
• Severe pain
• Disability
• Death

What to Do If You Suspect Emergency Room Malpractice

If you suspect that you or a loved one has been injured by emergency room malpractice, it is important to take the following steps:

Get medical attention right away. If you are experiencing any symptoms of a serious medical condition, it is important to see a doctor right away. This will help to ensure that you receive the proper diagnosis and treatment.

Keep a record of your medical care. This includes keeping copies of your medical records, test results, and billing statements. This information will be helpful to your lawyer if you decide to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney. A lawyer can help you to assess your case and determine if you have a valid claim. If you do have a claim, your lawyer can help you to pursue legal action against the emergency room doctor or other healthcare providers who were responsible for your injuries.

Georgia Medical Malpractice Laws

Georgia has a number of laws in place that protect patients from medical malpractice. For example, Georgia law requires all healthcare providers to meet a minimum standard of care. If a healthcare provider breaches this standard of care and causes harm to a patient, the patient may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Under Georgia law, patients who are injured by medical malpractice may be able to recover a variety of damages, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death

Contact an Experienced Georgia Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you believe that you have been injured by emergency room malpractice, it is important to contact Davis-Adams as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help you to assess your case and determine if you have a valid claim. If you do have a claim, your lawyer can help you to pursue legal action against the emergency room doctor or other healthcare providers who were responsible for your injuries.