Hospitals in Harrisburg can be held liable for the mistakes of their residents and interns. This is especially true when those trainees make preventable mistakes while delivering patient care. Under certain legal principles, hospitals may be liable for negligence, even when the provider wasn’t yet fully licensed, if that provider was acting within the scope of their duties as part of the hospital’s staff or training program.
Suppose you or a loved one suffered harm due to an error by a resident or intern. In that case, our medical malpractice attorneys in Harrisburg, PA, can investigate whether the hospital failed in its duty to supervise and protect you. We’ll also ensure that they pay for all the losses you incurred due to their mistakes.
When Can a Hospital Be Held Responsible in Harrisburg?
Hospitals, such as Penn State Health and UPMC Harrisburg, may be liable under a legal theory known as vicarious liability. This means they’re responsible for the actions of their employees or agents. The hospital can often be held accountable for the harm caused if a resident or intern is part of the hospital’s official training program and makes a negligent error while working within their expected role.
Some situations where a hospital may be liable include:
- A fatigued intern makes a medication error due to an unreasonably long shift schedule
- The hospital failed to intervene or supervise after prior warnings about a trainee’s competence
- A resident performs a procedure they weren’t trained to do without proper supervision
Likewise, they must follow informed consent rules. For instance, if you weren’t told that a trainee would deliver your primary care or if they don’t get your consent properly, that may form the basis of a lawsuit.
These Errors Can Lead to Life-Altering Injuries
Mistakes made by interns and residents can result in life-altering injuries, particularly in life-or-death medical environments. Some of the most common outcomes include:
- Surgical injuries from errors in technique or lack of oversight
- Misdiagnosis due to inexperience or overreliance on outdated information
- Delayed treatment in emergency settings, where trainees misread symptoms
- Birth injuries from the incorrect use of tools during delivery
- Medication errors, including dangerous drug combinations or incorrect dosages
Unfortunately, when hospitals push trainees to the limit without proper support, patients like you pay the price.
How We Can Help After a Trainee’s Mistake Hurts You
Hospitals will typically claim they aren’t liable for what a trainee did or argue that the attending physician was solely to blame. However, these cases are more complex than they seem. A Harrisburg medical malpractice attorney can check the training program documents, staff records, hospital policies, and witness testimony to show that the institution either failed to supervise properly or delegated tasks beyond a trainee’s abilities.
They will also coordinate with medical experts to determine the standard of care and whether the intern or resident fell short of it. Additionally, they will review hospital logs, policies, and communications to determine whether this incident was part of a larger pattern of poor oversight. If the hospital system was negligent in how it trained or supervised its medical staff, your attorney can help prove it and make sure they pay for your damages.
Reach Out to Our Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Lawyers
If you believe an intern’s or resident’s mistake caused you harm, our Harrisburg medical malpractice attorneys are ready to help. Contact Marzella & Associates to schedule your no-cost consultation online or by calling 717-876-8681.