When an emergency room doctor misdiagnoses your condition, delays treatment, or gives the wrong medication, and that mistake harms you, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Pennsylvania law allows you to hold both the provider and the hospital accountable when emergency care falls below accepted standards.
At Marzella & Associates, our malpractice attorneys serving York, PA, know how quickly a rushed ER decision can change a life. That’s why we strive to secure compensation for those who have been harmed due to medical negligence.
Why Emergency Room Malpractice Still Happens in York
Emergency departments operate under relentless pressure. At WellSpan York Hospital or Memorial Hospital, staff juggle critical patients, crowded waiting areas, and incomplete histories, typically within minutes. In that chaos, errors happen more than most people think. While no two cases are alike, inevitable mistakes show up repeatedly:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, such as a stroke dismissed as a migraine, or sepsis mistaken for the flu.
- Medication errors, including the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or a dangerous interaction with another prescription.
- Failure to monitor, such as ignoring dropping oxygen levels or skipping vital sign checks after treatment.
- Premature discharge refers to sending a patient home before their condition is stable.
The Journal of Patient Safety reports that many ER misdiagnoses involve life-threatening conditions, heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, and meningitis, where every minute counts. When an ER misses a heart attack, misreads an X-ray, or discharges a patient too soon, the consequences can be life-altering for the injured patients and their families.
The Massive Impact of Emergency Room Negligence in York
ER mistakes can leave a permanent mark. A missed diagnosis can lead to issues like brain injuries, amputations, or chronic pain. A medication error can trigger organ failure. Even a short treatment delay may turn a recoverable condition into a fatal one. The harm is likewise more than physical. There’s the financial strain of extended treatment, the emotional weight of lost trust in the healthcare system, and the ripple effects on your family.
Many patients face months or years of rehabilitation, and some lose the ability to work entirely. Relationships can be strained under the stress of caregiving and mounting bills. The sense of betrayal, knowing the place you turned to for help, made things worse, but it can also be overwhelming. And while no legal action can undo the damage, holding a hospital accountable can provide resources for your much-needed recovery and help prevent similar mistakes from happening to others.
Let Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers Handle Your Case
Emergency room errors typically indicate rushed decisions, flawed systems, and unchecked human error. If an ER sent you home without recognizing a serious condition or made a mistake that changed your health, you deserve answers and proper compensation. Our York medical malpractice attorneys can help you investigate what happened, explain your legal options, and fight for the recovery you need to move forward with your life.
At Marzella & Associates, our dedicated legal team will take on the hospital’s army of lawyers and insurers. While they work to protect their image and finances, our lawyers will work to protect your future, seeking compensation for medical costs, emotional distress, lost income, ongoing care, and the disruption to your life. Discover how we can assist you by scheduling a complimentary case evaluation online or calling 717-876-8681.