In Georgia, the Laws Are Different
Hospital negligence is an overall term covering nursing mistakes, shift change assessment errors, improper medication or dosage and emergency room mistakes.
In Georgia, doctors are considered independent contractors; they do not work for the hospital directly. But other errors are directly attributed to the hospital: primarily I see mistakes made in nursing due to staff cut backs and shortages.
A Mistake Doesn't Mean No One Is Responsible
Nurses going off duty will give a report to the nurses coming on duty. The on duty nurses will then perform an independent evaluation of the patient for new complaints of pain, discomfort, etc., and alert the doctor if necessary.
In one of my cases, this shift change assessment didn't happen. The doctor was never notified of paralysis symptoms, and the patient became paralyzed from the waist down. If the doctor had been notified, he or she could have done something, but with paralysis symptoms, something must be done within eight hours. Since the nurses were negligent and never reported it, a potentially avoidable result ensued.
30 Years of Medical Malpractice Experience
A lawyer experienced in Georgia law can help you determine if you have a medical malpractice or hospital negligence case. Atlanta's James O. Wilson, Jr., Attorney at Law, has 30 years of experience in personal injury and medical malpractice cases.
Call 770-427-2476 or contact me online to schedule a free initial consultation. I am available in my Marietta office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request.
Hospital Credentialing Committee
Doctors are subject to credential approval before they can see a patient. If the doctor should not have been credentialed or should have had his privileges revoked and they weren't, the hospital can be held responsible for damages to a victimized patient. This is also hospital negligence that I can help with. Call 770-427-2476 or contact me online to schedule a free initial consultation.
