When someone goes to a doctor or a hospital, they expect to get help. They trust the people in charge to know what they are doing. But sometimes, things do not go as planned. A person might leave feeling worse, not better. In these situations, the person might have a medical malpractice case. That means they think the doctor or hospital made a mistake that caused harm.
These cases are not simple. They are not like fender benders or slips in a grocery store. Medical malpractice cases need strong proof. A person has to show that the medical care they got was not right. And more than that, they need someone with the right background in medicine to help explain what went wrong. That person is usually someone who understands the field of medicine very well and can talk to the court about what should have been done.
Why Someone Who Understands Medicine Is So Important
Georgia law says that before a medical malpractice case even gets started, the person filing the lawsuit has to bring in a medical professional to say something was done incorrectly. This is not just a good idea—it is the rule. Georgia courts want to hear from someone who understands the kind of medicine involved in the case. This person gives a statement, called an affidavit, that says the care was below what should be expected.
The person giving the affidavit needs to be someone who works or has worked in the same area of medicine as the one being questioned. If it is a heart doctor being sued, the court wants to hear from another heart doctor. That way, the court knows the person giving the opinion knows what they are talking about.
What This Medical Professional Does During the Lawsuit
Once the case moves forward, the medical professional often stays involved. They may look over test results, doctor notes, treatment plans, and surgery records. Then they talk about these things in a way that people without medical training can understand. They help show the difference between normal care and care that was not okay.
They may even go to court and speak in front of a judge or jury. This is a big moment in the case. What they say can help the judge or jury decide if the doctor or hospital really did something wrong. They explain what should have happened, what went wrong, and how that hurt the person.
Sometimes, the other side—the doctor or hospital being sued—brings in their own medical professional to explain their side. Then the court hears from both and has to choose who to believe.
How Georgia Law Sets the Rules for These Cases
Georgia law has rules about how these cases are handled. One of the most important parts is the need to file that affidavit early on. This paper must say that a mistake likely happened. If a person does not include it with their lawsuit, the case might be thrown out. That is why it is so important to have someone in the medical field involved right away.
The rules also say the person giving the affidavit must have done the same kind of work as the doctor being sued within the last five years. This helps make sure the advice and opinion are up to date and meaningful.
These rules are there to keep the process fair and to stop people from filing weak or fake cases. But they also make it harder for someone who was hurt to move forward unless they have the right support.
Verdicts & Settlements
How the Right Medical Testimony Can Change Everything
When the medical person explains what happened and why it was wrong, that can change the whole case. Judges and juries often do not know what is normal in a hospital or what a doctor should do during a surgery. They need someone to walk them through it. When that person is clear, honest, and calm, they are very helpful.
This does not just help with blame. It also helps with showing how badly someone was hurt and what they might need in the future. That can include more medical care, therapy, or even changes in work or life. A clear voice explaining the true damage can help make sure the person gets the support they need.
What Kinds of Cases Need These Medical Professionals
Any case where a doctor, nurse, or hospital is blamed for doing something wrong will likely need help from a medical professional. This could be a surgery gone wrong. It could be a baby hurt during birth. It might be the wrong medicine or a missed diagnosis.
No matter what kind of mistake happened, if the harm was caused by medical care, the law usually asks for someone in medicine to explain what should have happened. That is true in emergency rooms, regular checkups, and even in mental health treatment.
The Steps People Go Through in One of These Lawsuits
First, the person who got hurt talks to a lawyer. The lawyer listens to what happened and starts looking into it. If it seems like something went wrong, the lawyer finds someone who works in medicine to look at the records. If that person agrees there was a mistake, they write the affidavit. Then the lawsuit is filed with the court.
After that, both sides share more records. There may be a lot of talking between lawyers. Sometimes they try to settle the case. Other times it goes to trial, where a judge or jury hears everything. All along the way, the medical voice can help make the truth clearer.
What Makes a Medical Voice Strong in These Cases
The strongest voices in these cases are clear, calm, and honest. They have real knowledge of the kind of care being talked about. They also know how to explain medical words in a way anyone can understand. They do not take sides just to help one party. Instead, they look at the facts and speak plainly.
Their job is to tell the truth. They are not there to blame anyone or to protect anyone. That is what makes their help so important. When they do their job right, they help the court see what really happened.
How These Medical Opinions Help Victims and Families
For someone who is hurt or lost a loved one, this process can be scary. They might not understand why the care went wrong or what to do next. The medical voice helps them understand their own case. They help answer questions and give the family a path forward.
This is not just about pointing fingers. It is about making things right. If someone needs more care, or if a family lost someone they loved, the court can make sure they get help. The medical voice helps the court understand what really happened, so the right support can be given.
When to Get Help If You Think Something Went Wrong
If you or someone in your family was hurt during medical care, it is okay to ask questions. It is okay to want answers. These cases take time, but they can lead to change. They can also help you move forward.
You should speak to a legal team that has worked on cases like this before. The right team will help find the right people to look at your records. They will guide you through the steps and make sure your case is as strong as it can be.
If you believe your medical care in Georgia led to harm, and you are looking for answers, the Keenan Law Firm is here to support you. We understand how hard these cases can be. Let us help you find the truth and work toward justice.