Emergency Room Medical Malpractice

In the emergency room, there are a high number of medical errors occurring on a regular basis due to a number of factors.  In turn, the numbers of medical malpractice lawsuits that are filed are disproportionally directed towards incidents in victim’s local emergency room.  Even more commonly, patients filing medical malpractice suits are doing so in response to treatment received for appendicitis or myocardial infarction (otherwise known as a heart attack).  Frequently, these claims stem from some form of delayed or missed diagnosis, which obviously in both cases, would greatly jeopardize the health, and even life, of a patient.

Increased Medical Malpractice Risk

Even with the knowledge of the risks present in the local emergency room, most patients simply have no choice in the matter.  Accidents, medical situations, and other health issues arise without warning in most cases, and trips to the local emergency room are not by choice, but by circumstance and necessity.  Sadly, as many victims may even consider on their way to the local ER, is the fact that over half of all medical malpractice claims stem from damages incurred in the emergency room.

ER Medical Malpractice: Common Causes

• Poor training of healthcare staff

• Patient overcrowding and doctor understaffing

• Patient medical history is mystery to attending staff in almost all cases

• Unsanitary or ill equipped facilities

• Inefficient or effective record keeping policies

• Unsafe or negligent medication distribution procedures

Common Emergency Room Errors

• Delay or failure to treat

• Prescription drug errors or negligent administration of medication

• Failure or unsafe delay to diagnose patient

• Wrong diagnosis

• Medical testing, laboratory, or evaluation errors and negligence

• Overall negligence by healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses

Wrongful Death due to Malpractice

Frequently, emergency room errors lead to series medical complications and even death of the patient.  Injuries such as medication overdoses, unsanitary conditions leading to hospital infections, paralysis, brain injury, pain and suffering, and all too commonly, death regularly occur in the local emergency room.

Victims, and their loved ones, do have legal options to recover from medical malpractice.  Compensation for medical costs, future medical costs, lost earnings and wages, rehabilitation expense, and other damages may be awarded to victims and their loved ones.  Consult with an attorney about retaining your rights to compensation today.