Is There A Time Limit In Which I Need To File A Lawsuit For Medical Malpractice?
Yes, there is and that time limit is referred to as the statute of limitations. Failure to file suit within this time frame prevents you from filing suit at all. For medical malpractice claims, Georgia has a twoyear statute of limitations and a fiveyear statute of repose. The statue of repose means that in no event may an action be brought more than five years after the date of the alleged negligent act. These limits apply to minors except that the limitation period will never run prior to the claimant`s seventh birthday and the statute of repose will never run until the child`s tenth birthday. The twoyear limitation does apply to a parent`s claim for the child`s medical expenses. Foreign object cases may be brought anytime within one year of discovering the object. The term foreign object includes a chemical compound, fixation device, or prosthetic aid or device.
There are special claims presentation requirements for claims against state and local government. For claims against the state or the county, written notice must be presented within twelve months and prior to filing suit. For municipal government, you must present a written claim within six months of the alleged wrongful act.
Other Georgia Medical Malpractice FAQs
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What Happens If I Am Injured In The Course Of Medical Treatment?
A: If a medical professional makes an error that results in injury to the patient, the patient may be able to sue the negligent party or parties for monetary damages to … More -
Q:
How Do I Know If My Injury Constitutes Medical Malpractice?
A: Medical professionals are not expected to be infallible and there may be poor results from treatment that do not amount to malpractice. Medical professionals are … More -
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Who Can Be Held Accountable For The Medical Malpractice?
A: Generally, a medical malpractice claim can be brought against a licensed health care provider. This can include a person, corporation, facility or institution licensed … More -
Q:
Does Signing A Consent Form Waive My Rights To File A Lawsuit For Medical Malpractice?
A: Signing a consent form in and of itself does not waive your rights. It is possible that the consent form does not contain all of the relevant information that it … More -
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How Much Can I Expect An Attorney To Charge To Handle A Medical Malpractice Case?
A: Most attorneys who believe a case has merit will take the case without payment up front. They will take the case on a contingency basis, which means they will receive … More -
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What Damages Can Be Recovered For Medical Malpractice?
A: As a victim of medical malpractice, you can sue for your injuries and all of the direct consequences of those injuries. You can recover your actual economic losses … More -
Q:
Will We Have To Go To Arbitration?
A: Arbitration is not mandatory in the State of Georgia. The parties may agree to arbitration but the agreement cannot be made prior to the alleged act of malpractice and … More -
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What Is The Collateral Source Rule?
A: Georgia has held that allowing tort defendants to reduce damages by introducing evidence of payments to the claimant from collateral sources unconstitutional. -
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What About Contributory Or Comparative Negligence?
A: Georgia has adopted a variation of comparative negligence. A claimant's action is barred if he could have avoided the consequences of the defendant's negligence. … More -
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Is Expert Testimony Required?
A: A medical malpractice complaint must generally contain an affidavit of an expert stating that the facts justify a claim of negligence. When a claimant fails to file an … More