Nursing negligence can occur. A nurse is given tasks to do, and does not do them. The nurse performs a treatment wrong. The medication is not dosed properly. These are just a few of the ways negligence can occur in nursing. Anyone who enters a hospital or other treatment facility expects to receive the best possible care. When this does not occur, individuals should contact an attorney to determine if, in fact, the individual has a legal case.
When Nursing Negligence Occurs
In order for anything to be negligence, this means that a standard of care is not met, and that the treatment or practice is what a reasonably prudent nurse would use. It can be very difficult to prove that a case is in fact nursing negligence, however, this type of medical malpractice can occur. When it does, it is important to prove that the nurse is liable for the resulting actions. In order to prove a nurse liable, the following must occur:
- Some type of negligence must cause the injury or condition.
- Some type of record must show that the nurse did not perform the duties required properly with the patient in quest.
- This may equate to a failure to perform a duty which is directly related to the patient's injury.
In short, you need to prove that the condition was worsened or the patient was injured because of inadequate nursing skills or because a lack of attention was given to the tasks at hand. This must result in complications to the patient in some way. This can happen in numerous ways. Some of the most common (though nursing malpractice is in itself not common) include medication mistakes, failure to follow the orders of a doctor or administrator, improper use of equipment or failure to follow protocol.
It is also important to point out that some nursing negligence claims may also be medical malpractice claims for the hospital as well, since nurses work for the hospital in this type of setting. However, a nurse may not be held responsible for negligence claims if a doctor instructs the nurse to take a specific treatment route or overseas the individual's performance.
When to Hire a Doctor
If you suspect that you may be a victim of nursing negligence, hire an attorney. The attorney will work with you to prove that the nurse is liable for his or her actions and therefore may be found guilty of medical malpractice. Attorneys will offer guidance and advice to help you to determine if you have a case.
