Hospital negligence occurs when the employees of a hospital fail to provide the standard of care or ignore a patient’s needs
Hospital negligence occurs when the employees of a hospital fail to provide the standard of care or ignore a patient’s needs. Being admitted to a hospital can be a very overwhelming and stressful experience. It is expected that the medical professionals have your best interests at heart and are there to provide the utmost care. Unfortunately, it often happens that a patient is not given the care they need due to neglect.
Examples of Hospital Negligence
If a hospital employee performs a job-related function and the patient was injured, this is an example of hospital negligence. As a result, the hospital may be liable for the injury. Some common examples of hospital negligence include:
- Misdiagnosing an illness/injury
- Failure to provide necessary medications
- Failure to recognize symptoms
- Surgical errors
- Disregarding patient history/concerns
- Bedsores/pressure ulcers
- Falls and fractures
The hospital may also be held liable if it failed to make reasonable inquiries when hiring staff. This may include keeping a physician on staff when the hospital knew or should have known that the doctor was incompetent or dangerous. Also, hospitals are required to ensure there is sufficient medical staff on duty at all times.
Who is Responsible?
Hospitals can be held liable for the negligence of their employees. Nurses, technicians, and other staff are employed by the hospital, while doctors are usually independent contractors. In general, an employee is someone whose working hours, vacation time, and fees they charge are set by the hospital where they work. If a patient sustains an injury under the care of a hospital employee, the hospital can be liable for the injury. For example, suppose a nurse employed by the hospital administers the wrong medication, and the patient ends up suffering harm as a result. In that case, the hospital could probably be considered liable for the nurse’s mistake. However, suppose a doctor makes a mistake and injures a patient while working in the hospital. In that case, the hospital will not be liable for the doctor’s error unless the doctor is an employee.
Putting together a negligence case can be very difficult. It is crucial first to determine whether the doctor, the hospital or the individual hospital employees are at fault for the patient’s injury. A patient must prove that the hospital’s error caused an injury that the patient would not have suffered in the absence of negligence to have a valid claim.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
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 and settlements. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, or call us at 410-843-3476, for more information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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