As health care providers, hospitals and the employees and medical professionals who work at medical facilities are held to certain standards of care. This means they are legally obligated to treat patients in accordance to acceptable medical standards – or what is expected of them based on current medical knowledge and established protocol. When they fail to do so and patients are injured as a result of their negligence, they can be held accountable.
At the Law Office of Marshall Silberberg, our legal team has helped numerous victims and families protect their rights after they suffered preventable harm at the hands of nurses, doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers, and has handled more than 200 medical malpractice trials. Backed by decades of collective experience, we are able to guide clients step-by-step through the medical malpractice claim process, and fight for the compensation they deserve.
Although medical malpractice cases allege that victims were harmed as a result of negligence and substandard medical care, every case is unique. This is because there are a number of hospital errors that can lead to preventable injuries, including:
- Administrative errors – Not all injuries to patients result from injuries make exclusively by medical professionals. Some are the result of administrative errors. These can include improper documentation, medical record mix ups, and communication errors made in patient hand offs. When administrative employees commit errors that ultimately lead to patient injuries, whether through improper treatments or lack of necessary treatment, hospitals can be held liable for damages.
- Infections – Infections are always a risk when it comes to medical treatment, particularly during and after surgeries. However, when they occur in hospital settings as a result of negligence, such as unsanitary conditions or negligence medical care, patients have the right to pursue medical malpractice claims.
- Medication errors – Medication errors are a leading cause of patient injury in hospitals. When nurses, doctors, anesthesiologists, and other health care providers administer the wrong medications, or administer the improper dosage of a medication, they can seriously injure patients.
- Negligent discharge – Hospitals and medical staff can be held liable when they negligently discharge patients who should remain under medical supervision, whether from Emergency Rooms or general admissions. Should a nurse, doctor, or other staff member discharge a patient that any reasonably skillful health care provider would continue to keep at the hospital, such as when they present symptoms that indicate serious complications or need for monitoring, it can amount to malpractice.
- Birth Injuries – Because most pregnant mothers choose to give birth in hospitals and have their labor and deliveries attended by nurses and medical professionals, hospitals see numerous preventable birth injuries, many of which can result in life-altering consequences for children and their families. Common errors leading to birth injuries include failures to monitor fetal distress, improper use of forceps or vacuum extractor devices, failures to perform C-sections, improper use of labor-inducing drugs, and more.
- Poor maintenance / hazards – Just as any premises owner can be held liable for failing to address potential hazards on their property, hospitals can also be held accountable when victims suffer injuries due to hazards they knew or should have known about, yet failed to address. A poorly maintained premises can pose hazards that include wet or slippery floors, unsanitary conditions, and more.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries at a hospital you believe could and should have been prevented, you have the right to explore whether you have a valid claim for compensation. By discussing your case with an award-winning Orange County medical malpractice attorney from our firm, you can gain insight into the errors that might have occurred, as well as who can be held liable for your damages. Speak with a member of our team today when you contact us for a free consultation.