When a trusted doctor or hospital gets something wrong, and it leaves you worse off than when you started, everything shifts. There’s the physical impact, yes. But also the questions, the worry, the growing sense that maybe something should have been caught earlier, done differently, or simply explained better.
If you’re in Macon and wondering whether what happened was just unfortunate, or legally unacceptable, these steps can help you get clear before you call a lawyer.
1. Know What Counts as Medical Negligence
Not every poor outcome means someone was negligent. But when a provider’s actions fall below what most professionals in their field would consider reasonable, and harm follows, it crosses into legal territory. This might look like:
- Surgical mistakes
- Missed diagnoses
- Improper medication or dosages
- Delayed treatment despite clear symptoms
- Birth-related injuries, anesthesia errors, or post-op neglect
It’s not about perfection. It’s about preventable harm caused by avoidable mistakes.
2. Get Your Records Before Anything Else
You don’t need a lawyer to request your records. But you’ll need them before you go far. Ask for everything: notes, charts, imaging, discharge summaries, follow-ups, prescriptions. In Georgia, you have a right to them, though there may be paperwork or wait time involved.
These records are the raw material for your case. Without them, it’s hard to know what went wrong, or prove that it did.
3. Build a Timeline While It’s Fresh
Your memory will fade faster than you think. Write down when symptoms started, when you saw each provider, what they said, what they did, how you felt, and what changed. Note the bills, the missed work, the long nights. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about keeping track, so someone else can see what you lived through.
4. Get Another Medical Opinion
Before jumping to conclusions, ask another doctor to review what happened. Choose someone outside the system you’re questioning. A second opinion can confirm (or challenge) your concern and may show that the care you received missed something crucial.
It might also give you clarity: whether this is legal ground, or something else. Either way, it’s information worth having.
5. Understand Georgia’s Legal Deadlines
Most medical malpractice claims in Georgia have to be filed within two years of when the harm happened, or when it should reasonably have been discovered. There’s also a five-year cutoff, no matter what. Some exceptions exist, for minors or hidden issues, but don’t bet your case on them.
Missing the deadline, even by days, can close your case before it starts.
6. Choose a Lawyer Who Knows Medical Negligence, Not Just Injury Law
Malpractice isn’t like other injury cases. It requires different evidence, expert witnesses, deeper investigation, and more legal structure. Not every firm is built for that.
Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C. has handled malpractice cases across Georgia, from surgical errors to misdiagnoses to long-term complications. We know how to read medical records, talk to experts, and pressure insurers when they push back.
7. Make the Most of Your First Meeting
Bring what you’ve gathered: your timeline, your records, your bills. A good attorney will ask the right questions, but being prepared helps move things forward faster.
Ask them, too. How often do they handle cases like this? What’s their trial record? How do they define success? This is your story. You deserve to know who’s telling it.
8. Be Honest About Everything
Don’t leave things out because you think they don’t matter, or that they’ll hurt your case. Previous health issues. Past legal claims. Missed follow-ups. Your lawyer can work with the truth. They can’t work around surprises.
Clarity from the start builds trust. And strong cases start with trust.
9. Don’t Just Choose Credentials. Choose Connection.
You’re not just hiring a resume. You’re hiring a voice. Pay attention to how the lawyer talks to you, not just what they promise. Do they listen? Do they explain without brushing off your concerns? Do they treat your story like it matters?
The best legal relationships are built on more than results. They’re built on respect.
Why Clients in Macon Turn to Adams, Jordan & Herrington
When medicine fails, the consequences can echo for years. Our team understands what’s at stake, and we treat every case like it matters. We’ve handled claims involving surgical teams, hospital systems, pediatric errors, and more. We work with leading experts. We take cases to court when we need to. And we don’t rush to settle just to move on.
If you want experience with compassion, and legal strength behind your voice, we’re here for that.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Out of Options
What happened can’t be undone. But what comes next can be different, with the right help. Start before the deadlines run out. Before memories fade. Before the paperwork disappears.
Contact Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C. today for a free consultation with a Macon medical malpractice lawyer who knows how to listen, and how to act when it counts.
