The Moses Firm | November 3, 2026 | Medical Malpractice
When you go to the doctor, you expect to get the care you need. You trust doctors, nurses, and other medical workers to keep you safe. Sadly, mistakes can happen. Some medical errors can cause serious injuries or even death.
A medical error happens when something goes wrong during medical care. These mistakes can happen at hospitals, doctors’ offices, and nursing homes. Some errors are small, while others can lead to lasting health problems and costly medical bills.
If you or someone you love was hurt by a medical mistake, you may be able to take legal action. Learning about common medical errors can help you understand your rights.
Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
A misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor diagnoses a patient with the wrong illness. A delayed diagnosis happens when a doctor takes too long to find the problem.
Common examples include:
- Mistaking heart attack symptoms for acid reflux or anxiety
- Failing to diagnose cancer despite abnormal test results
- Mistaking stroke symptoms for a migraine or vertigo
- Failing to recognize signs of sepsis or another serious infection
- Misdiagnosing appendicitis as a stomach virus
These mistakes can be dangerous. Without the right treatment, a patient’s condition may get worse. In some cases, a missed diagnosis can lead to lasting injuries or death.
Medication Errors
Doctors and nurses must be careful when giving patients medicine. Giving the wrong medicine or the wrong amount can cause serious harm. Common medication mistakes include:
- Giving a patient the wrong medicine
- Giving too much or too little medicine
- Mixing drugs that should not be taken together
- Administering a drug that causes an allergic reaction
The World Health Organization warns that medication errors are a major cause of preventable harm. These mistakes can make patients very sick. Some may need more treatment or a longer hospital stay.
Patients should ask questions about their medicine and tell their doctors about any unusual side effects.
Surgical Errors
Sadly, mistakes can happen during surgery. Common surgical errors include operating on the wrong body part, hurting healthy organs, or leaving tools inside a patient’s body.
Doctors may also give too much medicine to put a patient to sleep during surgery. These mistakes can cause infections, bleeding, and lasting pain. Some patients need another surgery to fix the problem, while others may never fully recover.
Not every problem during surgery is medical malpractice. However, a patient may have a claim if a doctor’s careless actions caused their injuries.
Infection Prevention Errors
Hospitals should be clean and safe places for patients. However, some patients get infections while receiving medical care. These infections can happen when workers fail to follow safety rules.
For example, infections may develop when medical tools are not properly cleaned or when workers fail to wash their hands. Some infections happen after surgery, while others can develop from tubes placed inside a patient’s body.
These infections can cause pain, fever, and serious health problems. Patients may need medicine or more time in the hospital to recover. Hospitals must take reasonable steps to protect patients from infections. When they fail to do so, they may be responsible for the ensuing harm.
Can You Sue for a Medical Error?
To have a medical malpractice case, you generally must show that a healthcare provider failed to provide proper care and caused harm.
You must also act before the legal deadline. Under Georgia Code § 9-3-71, most medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury. Georgia also has a five-year statute of repose, although exceptions may apply.
A medical malpractice lawyer can review your case and explain your options. An attorney can also help gather medical records, speak with experts, and seek payment for your injuries. Getting legal help early can make it easier to protect your rights.
Contact the Atlanta Medical Malpractice Attorneys at The Moses Firm: Medical Malpractice Lawyers for Help Today
Medical mistakes can change your life. You may face painful injuries, high medical bills, and time away from work. If a doctor, nurse, or hospital caused your injuries due to poor care, you may have the right to seek damages.
At The Moses Firm: Medical Malpractice Lawyers, our Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys help people who have been hurt by medical errors. Give us a call today to arrange a free consultation.
We are proud to serve clients throughout Atlanta, Fulton County, and the surrounding communities in Georgia.
The Moses Firm
3490 Piedmont Rd NE #1206,
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 721-1050
Available 24/7