We place our trust in the hands of medical professionals each visit. Although medical professionals and hospitals have a duty to provide exceptional care, errors can and do occur. If you have been the victim of hospital negligence, our Harrisburg medical malpractice lawyers can help you recover maximum compensation for your claim.
The Four Ds of Medical Malpractice
Medical providers have a duty to adhere to a standard of care, with each specialty having specific standards. Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to use reasonable care in treating a patient, and the patient suffers injuries as a result.
A valid medical malpractice claim requires that the four Ds be present:
Duty of Care
A physician must exercise prudence and reasonable care when caring for patients.
Dereliction of Duty
Specific procedures and medications are considered the “gold standard” in treating certain conditions, so when a physician deviates from this standard, this is considered a dereliction of duty.
Direct Cause
You must demonstrate that the healthcare provider’s actions were the direct cause of the harm suffered. Not following post-operative instructions to the letter or other intervening factors can allow the physician to point to different causes for your injuries. Establishing a causal link between a physician’s conduct and the harm you endured is key to a malpractice case. This is no easy task, requiring the assistance of a medical malpractice lawyer.
Damages
Medical malpractice claims typically require that an individual sustain measurable losses, known as damages. To collect compensation, you will need to show that you suffered harm. This may include lost income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of consortium. The Pennsylvania Constitution prohibits caps on economic or non-economic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits.
Examples of Negligence in Hospitals
The following are just some of the common examples of hospital negligence:
Mixing Up Patient Charts
It is not unheard of for patient charts to get switched, causing a doctor to have the wrong medication and allergy lists. A physician who is looking at the wrong chart is likely to prescribe an adverse medication, potentially killing the patient.
Improperly Trained Nursing Staff
Nurses are regularly placed in emergency situations, so it is critical that they are properly trained. Even though nurses help a hospital function, inadequately trained staff can be extremely dangerous. For example, if a nurse cannot quickly perform an arterial blood draw, there may be a delay in diagnosing a patient with a respiratory illness. Delays in procedures result in delays in treatment, endangering lives.
Anesthesia Errors
Physician anesthesiologists monitor patients’ vital signs during surgical procedures. If an incorrect dosage is administered or a patient’s heart rate drops dangerously low, the anesthesiologist and hospital can be held liable if the patient suffers complications.
Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Lawyers Hold Physicians and Hospitals Accountable
When you enter a hospital to have a surgery or procedure done, you place your trust in the hands of a skilled and knowledgeable medical professional. Physicians and hospitals are not immune to mistakes, costing individuals thousands of dollars in medical bills. This is nothing compared to the pain, suffering, and mental anguish that a person must endure long-term.
If you have been harmed as a hospital patient, do not hesitate to contact our Harrisburg medical malpractice lawyers. To schedule your complimentary, risk-free consultation, contact us online or by phone.