Hospital Liability for Wrongful Death

Medical malpractice is the leading cause of wrongful death cases in America.  Hundred of thousands of people die every year due to the negligent actions of doctors, nurses, hospitals and other health care facilities.  When the wrongful death of a patient is the result of medical negligence in a hospital, they may be held accountable for medical negligence leading to death.

Common Forms of Negligence

The most common reasons for the wrongful death of a patient may include:

• Failure to diagnose the patient properly
• Emergency room errors
• Surgical mistakes
• Medication errors
• Under staffed hospitals
• Untreated infections
• Not properly monitoring the patient

Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit after a Hospital Error

The spouses, children and parents of wrongful death victims can file a wrongful death lawsuit against a hospital when they believe that medical negligence was the cause of wrongful death.  The family members may file a suit to recover damages for their pain and suffering. 

Many areas of law do not permit lawsuits or compensation after a certain time period has expired.  This timeframe is called the statute of limitations, and the length varies in each state.  Typically, it ranges between 1 and 5 years from the time the medical malpractice occurred.

When to Talk to a Medical Malpractice Attorney

If your family has lost a loved one because of medical negligence, you should consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit against a hospital by consulting with a medical malpractice attorney.  They can also help you by negotiating a settlement with the hospital or insurance company without having to go to court.