People go to the hospital expecting to be safe. They want the best care possible to help them get better or recover from an injury. Negligence happens when a patient is not afforded this protection and must suffer the consequences. These situations can be dangerous.
When a person is injured because of the negligence of a hospital or a healthcare worker, they have every right to sue for compensation. Here we will look at instances when a person can sue a hospital.
If the Hospital Employee Did Not Follow the Treating Physician’s Instructions
A hospital has employees that should take care of the patient. During a patient’s stay in the hospital, they may be advised to follow a specific diet or exercise regimen. If the staff does not follow these instructions, it can lead to complications and result in a lot of pain and suffering for the patient after they leave the hospital.
A good example would be the failure of nurses and other healthcare workers to follow the physician’s order for pain medication. Nurses and other hospital staff need to adhere to instructions given by their doctors.
A legal claim can be made against the hospital for injuries caused by staff negligence or error. If you need help getting started with your case, a Brown & Barron medical malpractice lawyer will be happy to speak with you.
Medication Errors
The hospital staff should be aware of allergies, contraindications, and other cautions regarding the medicine administered to patients. This information will help them administer the medication correctly. Medication errors can lead to injuries, from a simple overdose to overuse or underuse of a drug.
This can cause the patient to suffer significant complications and lead to the development of life-threatening conditions. Before administering any medication, the nurse should read any label provided with the medicine.
If there are any doubts, they should immediately consult the doctor and get instructions on what to do. A hospital’s nursing staff can be liable for negligence if they fail to follow these protocols.
If Your Wounds Were Not Dressed or Treated Properly and Later Developed an Infection
The hospital is liable if a patient has a wound that is not correctly cleaned and develops an infection. Injuries should be taken seriously by any hospital staff. The wound must be cleaned thoroughly if it becomes contaminated with dirt or germs, especially if the person’s skin is broken and raw.
After being cleaned, the wound should be covered to keep it clean and safe. Treatment for infection may require the person to stay in the hospital for a long time. During this time, there is a risk that the infection may spread to other areas of the body, which may complicate treatment.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
A hospital should have a system for staff to ensure that every patient is diagnosed correctly. Testing, diagnosis, and treatment should be made promptly to avoid the patient’s unnecessary suffering. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life.
An example of misdiagnosis would be if a physician prescribed a drug for an illness that the patient did not have. The initial test results may have been misleading or incorrect, and the doctor may use these false results to make a wrong diagnosis.
If a doctor feels that follow-up tests are needed, they should communicate their concerns to the patient and their loved ones. The doctor should be willing to wait until the results are complete before prescribing a drug or making any other treatment decision.
Contact an Attorney for Help
If you wish to bring a claim against a hospital, contact a lawyer first and make sure your case is solid. Medical malpractice cases can be very complicated. An attorney can help you identify the liable party and build an evidence-based case. To win, it is vital to have a team of legal experts on your side.
About the author:
As a journalist, Leland D. Bengtson dedicated most of his career to law reporting. His greatest satisfaction is to convey legal matters to the public in a language that they can understand. He is active on various platforms and media outlets, writing about common legal issues that
people confront with every day. While medical malpractice is his strong suit, Leland covers plenty of other topics, including personal injury cases, family law, and other civil and even criminal legal matters.
