Legal Options For Victims Of Emergency Room Errors In Ohio
Hundreds of people are treated in emergency rooms every day for problems ranging from cuts and bruises to heart attacks. The doctors, nurses and medical technicians who staff emergency rooms are highly trained and normally perform their duties admirably. But when they fail at their jobs, your health and life may be on the line.
At Gregory S. Young Co., LPA, our firm has been fighting for victims of medical malpractice for 50 years. We have earned the trust of our community and the respect of our peers through hard work, results and exceptional service. We know how to investigate medical malpractice claims and will help you determine if your negative medical outcome was the result of malpractice.
Examples Of Medical Negligence In The Emergency Room
Many hospital emergency rooms are understaffed, resulting in patients not receiving the care they need. In some cases, this may cause further injury or illness to the patient and constitutes negligence on the part of the hospital. Our lawyers know how to spot negligent behavior and its results.
Emergency room errors may include:
- Emergency medical technician (EMT) errors
- Failure to diagnose
- Failure to order tests
- Failure to follow up after discharge
- Inadequate discharge instructions
- Improper interpretation of X-rays
- Improper interpretation of test results
- Improper procedures
Any of these mistakes can cause further harm or illness to the patient and may even result in permanent damage or death.
What Are The Common Causes Of Emergency Room Errors?
Most medical mistakes come down to nothing more than simple human failings. Some common causes of emergency room errors include:
- Communication breakdowns: Miscommunication among health care staff about patient information, test results or treatment plans can lead to errors.
- Staffing shortages: Overworked or understaffed emergency departments may result in rushed assessments and treatments, increasing the likelihood of errors.
- Fatigue and stress: Health care providers working long hours under high-pressure situations can experience fatigue, impairing their decision-making abilities.
- Lack of standardized protocols: Inconsistent or inadequate protocols for patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment can contribute to errors in emergency care.
- Equipment failures: Malfunctioning or improperly calibrated medical equipment can lead to misdiagnoses or incorrect treatment.
- Inadequate training or experience: Insufficient training or lack of experience among healthcare providers may result in errors in diagnosis, treatment or procedural techniques.
Our attorneys understand some of these causes are unintentional, but that should not be an excuse. We will investigate your case to determine if your case is due to malpractice.
Steps To Take After An Emergency Room Error
After experiencing an emergency room error, ensure your immediate medical needs are addressed. Document all details of the incident, including names of health care providers involved, treatments received and any adverse effects you have experienced. You can also request copies of medical records and reports.
Next, consult with an attorney specializing in emergency room errors. An experienced attorney can help:
- Investigate the incident to determine liability
- Gather evidence
- Represent you in court
They can also negotiate with insurance companies and health care providers for fair compensation.
Our Ohio emergency room error attorneys have the expertise and resources to navigate complex medical malpractice laws. We can fight for justice on your behalf and seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and any other damages you have incurred due to the error.
Put Our Experience To Work For You
We work with medical experts to determine where hospital staff deviated from the standard of care during your emergency room visit and what the care should have been. We consult with life care planners to forecast the costs of continuing medical care and what your potential loss of wages over your lifetime may be. We look at all possibilities for recovery to maximize your compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.
Talk To An Attorney About Your Case
If you or a loved one has suffered emergency room negligence and you would like to discuss your case with one of our experienced attorneys, please call us to schedule your free initial consultation at 513-838-4562 in Cincinnati, 888-469-6437 in Dayton or Kentucky or contact us online. You are never charged a fee unless you are compensated for your injuries.
