When you think about a busy hospital, what do you imagine is the busiest department? If your answer was “the emergency room,” then you would be correct. It’s estimated that there are over 145 million ER visits each year in the United States – and because of the time-sensitive and urgent nature of these cases, it’s easy for undertrained professionals to lapse in their duty to patients. Because of these factors, emergency room error is one of the most common forms of medical malpractice claim. If you or your loved ones have been hurt in an ER situation, you have the right to pursue damages from the hospital and attending physician. At Christian & Christian, we’re committed to helping you recover the fair compensation that you deserve, and ensuring that you have enough time to rest and recover from your traumatic ER injuries.
What Are the Most Common ER Errors?
Although there are many different kinds of ER admissions and emergencies, there are clear patterns when it comes to ER errors. Making fast decisions and trying to see as many patients as possible within the allotted timeframe, ER specialists and physicians do not always take the proper amount of time to provide an accurate diagnosis. Conversely, these same time factors could cause dangerous delays that lead to a loved one’s death or life-altering injury.
Here are some of the most common types of ER errors that we see:
- Incorrect diagnosis
- Unsanitary tools, equipment, and rooms
- Early or unethical discharge
- EMT errors
- Inadequate training for EMTs, nurses, or doctors
- Hospital-acquired infections
- Errors in the laboratory
- Delays in treatment
- X-ray errors
Defining the Standard of Care
Of course, it’s widely understood that a trip to the emergency room could mean a life-altering injury or even a fatality. Although ER patients face greater risks than at a standard physician’s office, that still doesn’t mean that physicians can act in a negligent manner. In fact, it is even more important for ER healthcare providers to take prompt and accurate action when you present with urgent symptoms.
When determining the merit of your ER injury claim, the judge or jury will look at all of the factors leading up to your injuries. Then, they will try to determine whether the physician, nurse, or EMT in question applied a reasonable standard of care for that scenario. If they failed to meet a standard that would be met by other professionals in a similar situation, they can be held accountable for negligence.
More than 100 Years of Experience
When you visit our legal team at Christian & Christian, we’ll aim first and foremost to serve you, and provide the dedicated care that you deserve for your injuries. Never shying away from a challenge, it’s our philosophy that physicians should be held liable for serious injuries – and we’ll fight for your right to a fair recovery.
Call (864) 408-8883 today for more information.