Today I received a telephone call from the sister of a fellow who died recently. She went on to tell me that she is a nurse and suspects her brother's death may have been caused or contributed to by a medical mistake. After hearing her suspicions I agreed it was worth looking into. I knew immediately what information was going to be necessary for my experts to evaluate the merits of the case, a full set of medical records and an autopsy. Many times when someone dies, the family is (obviously) so caught up in the funeral arrangements and grief that they forget to request an autopsy. Fortunately, with the family's medical experience they remembered to ask for an autopsy. Also, they asked that it be done at a hospital DIFFERENT from the one they suspect of medical malpractice.
Most times when there is a death case, my law firm and our expert witnesses will need an autopsy to determine the cause of death. An autopsy is ALWAYS helpful.
If you suspect a love one's death was caused by (or contributed to by) a medical mistake, an autopsy is extremely helpful if not required. Also, remember. The autopsy should be done at a hospital DIFFERENT from the one where the medical mistake is suspected to have occurred. Obviously this is done to avoid impropriety from the hospital trying to cover a mistake. The hospital should not object to having the autopsy done elsewhere and, I contend, should encourage it be done elsewhere to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
If you have a loved one whom you suspect has died of a medical mistake, ask for an autopsy and consult a law firm with experience in handling Georgia medical malpractice and Georgia death cases.
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