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Atlanta Medical Malpractice Lawyers, Dekalb County, GA

Experienced medical malpractice lawyers in Georgia

When you have been hurt by a medical professional, you deserve a firm that will take care of you. Harris Lowry Manton LLP is the law firm Georgians trust when they have been injured because of medical negligence. We know what it takes to build and present a successful case in front of a jury.

We have obtained millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of our medical malpractice clients in Atlanta, Savanah and throughout the state. Some of our more notable victories include:

  • $30.5 million on behalf of a family whose child sustained permanent brain damage due to medical negligence
  • $18 million for a woman rendered paralyzed because of an undiagnosed and untreated infection
  • $5 million for the survivors of a family whose loved one was improperly monitored while in the hospital, leading to the woman’s death
  • $4.3 million for the family of a woman who died after medical diagnosis and treatment was delayed

If you or your loved one sustained serious, life-altering injuries because of an act of medical malpractice, we are here to help you.

The attorneys at Harris Lowry Manton are highly professional and extremely compassionate. They truly care about seeking justice for their clients.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ [Google Review]

Our Case Results

$1,500,000
Wrongful death - medical malpractice

Settlement

$1,100,000
Birth Injury - shoulder dystocia

Settlement

$1,050,000
Wrongful death - medical malpractice

Settlement

$1,000,000
Medical malpractice - wrongful death

Settlement

$4,317,494 (2010)
Allen v. Consolidated OB-Gyn, Dekalb Surgical Associates: Kathleen Allen’s daughter, Tanyka Brydson, was admitted to DeKalb Medical Center to give...

Verdict

What is medical malpractice?

Under GA Code § 9-3-70 (2016):

The term "action for medical malpractice" means any claim for damages resulting from the death of or injury to any person arising out of:

  • Health, medical, dental, or surgical service, diagnosis, prescription, treatment, or care rendered by a person authorized by law to perform such service or by any person acting under the supervision and control of the lawfully authorized person; or
  • Care or service rendered by any public or private hospital, nursing home, clinic, hospital authority, facility, or institution, or by any officer, agent, or employee thereof acting within the scope of his employment.

There is sometimes a fine line between what constitutes medical malpractice and what does not, which is why you want to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney as soon as you can after the injury occurs.

What Should I Consider About Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim?

Examples of medical malpractice claims

Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in this country – right behind heart disease and cancer. These mistakes run the gamut from “never events” (complications that should, under no circumstances, ever have been allowed to happen) to gross negligence to failure to act with care. While HLM handles all manner of medical malpractice claims, our counsel is commonly sought for mistakes, such as:

Mistakes made by lab techs, pharmacists or even hospital volunteers may all fall under the umbrella of medical malpractice, depending on the specific circumstances of your experience.

Harris Lowry Manton LLP Partners

Case examples for medical negligence claims we handle in Atlanta and Savannah

Doctors, like all of us, are fallible. They make mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes are identified and treated quickly with no lasting harm to the patients. Other times, however, their negligence leads to additional problems, injuries, and even the death of the patient. Medical malpractice cases can include:

  • Leaving a surgical instrument inside of a patient
  • Operating on the wrong patient, or on the wrong body part
  • Misdiagnosing, or delaying the diagnosis of, an illness or condition
  • Failing to treat an illness or condition
  • Failing to prevent the spread of infections
  • Failing to monitor a patient post-surgery or treatment
  • Mixing up lab results or patient charts
  • Treating a patient while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Failing to review a patient’s medical history, allergies, etc.
  • Prescribing an unsafe drug, and failing to warn the patient of the risks
  • Excessive use of delivery instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors
  • Failing to diagnose signs of fetal distress
  • Allowing nursing home residents to develop bedsores
  • Failing to keep breathing apparatus clear and clean

Hospital rankings in Atlanta and Savannah

Our attorneys have handled medical malpractice claims at hospitals throughout Georgia – and it is no wonder. The Leapfrog Group, an independent watchdog group which collects, analyzes and reviews consumer medical information, has found much to be improved with our hospitals. Of the 74 facilities reviewed on the site, only 14 earned an “A,” and only 17 earned a “B.” Of those 17, only two –  Northside Hospital and Emory University Hospital – were located in Atlanta.

The following facilities were all found sub-par in one of five categories: hospital-acquired infections; problems with surgery; reducing medical errors; safety concerns; and staffing:

  • Atlanta Medical Center – D
  • Candler Hospital – C
  • Emory St. Joseph's Hospital – C
  • Emory University Hospital Midtown – D
  • Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation – C
  • Memorial University Medical Center – C
  • St. Joseph's Hospital – C

Two of our most substantial medical malpractice verdicts were against Gwinnett Medical Center Lawrenceville and Southcoast Medical Group. Gwinnet earned a “C,” and SouthCoast Medical Group, a doctors’ practice group, was ineligible for ranking.

What is the statutes of limitations for medical malpractice claims in Georgia?

Per GA Code § 9-3-71 (2016), the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice claim in Georgia is generally two (2) years from the date that the injury or death occurred. If a foreign object is left inside the body, you have one (1) year to file a claim. There are some exceptions to this rule, as they apply to minor children, or to people with intellectual disabilities or mental illness.

No medical malpractice claims will be reviewed after five (5) years.

Liability and damages for medical malpractice

There are two types of damages available in a medical malpractice case:

Economic damages. These are quantifiable expenses. You may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical expenses (medications, treatments, therapies, etc.), wages, earning capacity, income, and funeral or burial expenses.

Non-economic damages. These are “nonpecuniary” costs – the parts of your life that are affected. Georgia defines these as “damages for physical and emotional pain, discomfort, anxiety, hardship, distress, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society and companionship, loss of consortium, injury to reputation, and all other nonpecuniary losses of any kind or nature.”

Choosing the best medical malpractice lawyer for your needs

If you have sustained an injury or illness because of acts of medical negligence, you have the right to seek compensation through the civil justice system. But how do you know which law firm is right for you? How do you choose the best Georgia medical malpractice lawyer for your needs?

First, see what the Georgia Bar has to say. You want a lawyer who is in good standing with the Bar and who will act not only with your best interests in mind, but also with the highest ethical standards and integrity.

Next, do your research. Talk to your friends and family who have made claims for negligence, and ask them about their experiences. Check out websites and online reviews, to see which attorneys are most adept at working one-on-one with clients throughout the process.

Finally, schedule some free consultations with firms to see if they have the resources and experience to handle your needs. If you can bring your medical records, that could be helpful – but it is not necessary for the initial consultation.

If you follow these steps, you will see that Harris Lowry Manton LLP fits the bill at every turn. We have successfully obtained millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of our clients. Our award-winning attorneys are all in good standing, and have been praised by multiple independent ratings organizations for our dedication to service to our clients, our communities, and the legal profession. We are the firm other Georgia and out-of-state attorneys turn to, to handle complex litigation on behalf of their clients.

Unlike other firms, we do not outsource our medical malpractice claims. At HLM, you work with one of our trial-tested attorneys from Day One of your claim, and we do not stop fighting until we know we have reached the best possible outcome for you.

The Basics of a Medical Malpractice Claim

The following questions and answers provide the basics of a malpractice case and how a seasoned medical negligence attorney can help you or your loved one recover the compensation you deserve.

I signed a consent form. Can I still file a medical malpractice claim in Georgia?

Before any invasive procedures or surgeries, doctors and surgeons are required to receive a patient’s informed consent. Informed consent involves informing the patient of the procedure’s purpose, its risks and possible outcomes (both positive and negative). However, even when patients consent, they still have the right to bring a medical malpractice action if the prevailing standard of care has been violated.

When should I file my medical malpractice claim?

The Georgia statute of limitations for medical malpractice is two years, with some exceptions. However, medical malpractice cases are complex and time-consuming, so it’s important you consult an attorney as soon as possible in order to begin building the strongest case possible.

How much compensation can I expect in a successful malpractice case?

Due to the complicated nature of medical negligence cases, the potential compensation can vary greatly from case to case. A plaintiff in a medical malpractice case can be awarded both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include tangible losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages are more subjective than economic damages and include pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

As you can see, a seasoned medical malpractice firm can provide the knowledgeable guidance you need when you’ve been injured due to medical negligence.

Injured as a result of medical negligence? Let us help

Harris Lowry Manton LLP is an award-winning medical malpractice firm serving clients in Atlanta, Savannah, and throughout Georgia. We know what it takes to build a successful claim for compensation, and we do not back down from the fight. If you or your loved one was catastrophically injured, or if your loved one has died as a result of medical negligence, HLM wants to help you seek justice. To schedule a free consultation with a member of our team, please fill out our contact form or call our offices: 404-961-7650 in Atlanta, or 912-651-9967 in Savannah.

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Brookhaven, Dekalb County Office

1418 Dresden Dr NE
Suite 250
Brookhaven, Georgia 30319

[Directions]

Our Case Results

$1,500,000
Wrongful death - medical malpractice

Settlement

$1,100,000
Birth Injury - shoulder dystocia

Settlement

$1,050,000
Wrongful death - medical malpractice

Settlement

$1,000,000
Medical malpractice - wrongful death

Settlement

$4,317,494 (2010)
Allen v. Consolidated OB-Gyn, Dekalb Surgical Associates: Kathleen Allen’s daughter, Tanyka Brydson, was admitted to DeKalb Medical Center to give...

Verdict

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