Read on for a breakdown of the common types of hospital negligence.
A hospital visit is often an intense and stressful situation. Whether you are going for a scheduled procedure or an emergency, you certainly aren’t expecting to be injured by an act of negligence. Unfortunately, medical malpractice can easily occur through a hospital’s negligence for several reasons. Read on for a breakdown of the common types of hospital negligence.
Staffing
When we think of medical negligence, it is usually being carried out by employees of the hospital. In this case, you could make the argument that the hospital did not take proper precautions when hiring. The hospital is liable for failing to assess the skills of nurses, physicians, and other staff. And if a hospital is understaffed, that’s is also a concern. If you need urgent care, then the lack of staff could lead to delayed care and otherwise-preventable consequences. A hospital is almost always a busy place, and being understaffed is entirely inexcusable.
Equipment
The medical equipment used in a hospital is a vital part of many procedures, which means it must be adequately maintained. However, malfunctions in the equipment or system malfunctions can be surprisingly common. When a monitor fails to set off an alarm for an emergency, then a patient could enter a life-threatening state without any doctors noticing. This and many other examples of equipment failure could lead to preventable injuries or death. Maintaining, repairing, and replacing ineffective equipment is the responsibility of the hospital. Failure to do that is a distinct form of negligence.
Infection
While infections are a risk at hospitals where several ailments are present, you have a right to expect that, as a patient, the hospital will follow proper sanitation procedures to prevent infection. Sterilization is a high priority in a hospital setting. When doctors and staff fail to follow their due diligence, dangerous infections like sepsis, staph, or MRSA could spread to you.
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The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements*. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, for more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.