Can I Sue for Medical Malpractice Following Hospital or ER Errors?

 Posted on December 31, 2024 in Medical Malpractice

If you go to a hospital emergency room, you likely need immediate medical attention. Patients who enter the hospital for outpatient surgeries or inpatient stays also require quality care. You trust the physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals to be competent. Unfortunately, many patients suffer harm from healthcare providers.

What common incidents in ERs and other hospital departments are grounds for a medical malpractice suit? How do you know if you can sue for compensation? A knowledgeable Kane County, IL personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and explain your legal options.

What ER and Hospital Mistakes Could Be Considered Medical Malpractice?

Like anyone else, doctors can make mistakes. However, medical errors can have dire consequences for patients. Medical negligence is the failure to provide the level of care that another provider with similar qualifications would offer in the same situation. When this negligence injures or harms a patient, a medical malpractice claim can provide compensation.

Common hospital and ER incidents that may be considered medical malpractice include:

• Poor monitoring of a patient’s condition or vital signs

• Discharging a patient before treatment is completed or without adequate instructions for follow-up care

• Diagnostic errors, including misreading diagnostic tests, misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or missed diagnosis

• Failing to triage ER patients correctly

• Surgical errors

• Medication mistakes

• Delaying treatment

• Failing to order appropriate diagnostic tests

• Failing to get a patient’s medical history prior to treatment

• Incorrect suturing and wound care

• Failing to respond promptly to patient call requests or monitoring device alerts

Unsuccessful treatments do not necessarily qualify as medical malpractice. An experienced attorney can review your case and help determine whether you have a valid claim.

What Are Some Potential Consequences of Medical Negligence?

The type of negligence in question helps determine what possible consequences could be. Common examples include:

• Falls due to inadequate assistance or monitoring, possibly causing broken bones and head injuries

• Hospital-acquired infections due to contamination, patient-to-patient contact, or lack of sterilization

• Allergic reactions to medications or harm caused by drug interactions

• Harm sustained by undergoing an inappropriate or unnecessary treatment

• Worsening of a condition due to delayed diagnosis or treatment

• Death

You do not need to wonder whether your case qualifies; call and speak with a qualified lawyer to verify your eligibility.

Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Medical Malpractice Claim?

No law requires you to retain the services of an attorney, but you are highly unlikely to see optimal results without legal representation. Medical malpractice claims are full of complex medical information that most people do not understand. In addition, your eligible damages are likely to be high, but you will probably be offered a low settlement amount.

When you work with a skilled lawyer, we know how to build your case and calculate your damages. We have seen various tricks insurers use and know how to overcome them. We fight aggressively to help you recover the maximum available compensation.

Speak to a Competent Aurora, IL Medical Malpractice Attorney

When your ER visit or hospital stay results in harm due to medical malpractice, Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. is here for assistance. Request a free consultation with one of our dedicated Kane County, IL personal injury lawyers today by calling 630-907-0909 or contacting us online.