Failure to Treat

Respected Savannah Medical Malpractice Attorneys Committed to Securing Fair Compensation on Behalf of Injured Patients

When you or your loved ones seek medical attention, you trust that healthcare providers will act promptly and appropriately to address your needs. However, too often, patients are neglected, and their conditions worsen due to a provider’s failure to treat the underlying condition. At Suthers & Harper, we help patients in Savannah and throughout Georgia hold healthcare providers accountable for the harm caused by their inaction. We have extensive experience handling all types of medical malpractice cases and know what it takes to secure the compensation you family deserves. 

What Does a Failure to Treat Mean?

A failure to treat occurs when a healthcare provider recognizes a condition but does not take the necessary steps to address it. This form of negligence can manifest in various ways, including:

• Ignoring Test Results: Physicians failing to act on abnormal lab results or imaging studies.
• Delaying Treatment: Postponing care for non-emergent patients until their condition becomes critical.
• Premature Discharge: Releasing patients from hospitals without adequately addressing their health concerns.
• Inadequate Follow-Up Care: Failing to schedule necessary follow-ups after a diagnosis or procedure.

Failure to treat often results from a lack of communication, overburdened staff, or cost-cutting measures, but none of these excuses justify the harm caused to patients.

Why Patients Are Left Untreated

Several systemic and individual factors contribute to failures to treat. These include:

• Overcrowded Facilities: Emergency rooms and hospitals stretched beyond capacity may prioritize patients with more apparent or immediate needs, neglecting others.
• Implicit Bias: Some patients may receive inadequate care based on their age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status.
• Mismanagement of Resources: Hospitals or clinics may allocate resources ineffectively, leaving some patients without necessary care.
• Failure to Take Complaints Seriously: Medical providers may dismiss or downplay patient-reported symptoms, assuming they are not serious.
• Inadequate Staffing: Overworked doctors and nurses may overlook critical signs or fail to prioritize patients appropriately.
• Lack of Training: Inexperienced staff may not recognize subtle symptoms that require urgent attention.
• Administrative Errors: Misfiled paperwork or incomplete patient records can lead to critical delays in care.

These failures create a cascade of avoidable harm for patients who depend on timely and adequate care.

Common Conditions Worsened by Failure to Treat

Failing to address medical issues in a timely manner can lead to serious complications or death, particularly for conditions such as:

• Heart Attacks and Strokes: Delays in diagnosis or intervention can result in irreversible damage or death.
• Infections: Untreated infections, like sepsis, can spread rapidly and become life-threatening.
• Cancer: Failing to act on early warning signs can allow cancer to progress to more advanced stages.
• Chronic Illnesses: Conditions like diabetes or hypertension may worsen without proper management.

When treatment is neglected, patients often face prolonged suffering and more invasive or expensive interventions down the line.

The Human Impact of Being Left Without Care

Failure to treat is not just a medical issue; it’s a deeply personal experience that impacts every aspect of a patient’s life. The consequences often include:

• Physical Suffering: Conditions left untreated can lead to worsening symptoms, complications, or permanent disability.
• Emotional Harm: Patients often feel ignored, devalued, or abandoned, leading to feelings of anxiety or depression.
• Financial Strain: Delays in care may result in more extensive medical treatments, longer hospital stays, and lost income.

Families also bear the emotional and financial burden of supporting loved ones whose care was neglected.

Steps Patients and Families Can Take

While patients trust their providers to make the right decisions, there are proactive steps they can take to advocate for their care:

1. Ask Questions: Always seek clarification about test results, treatment plans, or discharge instructions.
2. Request Second Opinions: If something doesn’t feel right, seek input from another medical professional.
3. Document Everything: Keep detailed notes of symptoms, appointments, and communications with healthcare providers.

Despite these efforts, the burden of ensuring adequate care should not fall solely on patients. When failures occur, legal action may be necessary.

How Suthers & Harper Can Help You

At Suthers & Harper, we understand the frustration and pain that comes with being denied adequate medical care. Our experienced team works tirelessly to:

• Investigate the circumstances of the failure to treat.
• Identify whether systemic or individual negligence contributed to the harm.
• Secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.

With our legal support, you can focus on your recovery while we fight for the justice you deserve.

Speak With a Savannah Failure to Treat Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a healthcare provider’s failure to treat, don’t wait to seek legal assistance. Georgia law imposes strict deadlines for filing medical malpractice claims, typically within two years of the injury. Therefore, it is imperative that you act quickly to ensure your rights are protected. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Savannah medical malpractice lawyer at Suthers & Harper, give us a call at 800-320-2384. You can also reach us by completing our secure online contact form.