Emergency Room Malpractice

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Can I File Medical Malpractice For An Emergency Room Mistake?

Emergency room doctors, nurses, and other staff work hard to provide medical care when it is needed the most. In many cases, these medical professionals make life and death decisions every day. However, regardless of how busy an emergency room may become, each patient deserves the best medical treatment possible. If a medical mistake is made, the medical professional and the hospital should be held accountable for that mistake.

Common Emergency Room Mistakes That Could Lead to a Medical Malpractice Claim

There are hundreds of mistakes that may happen as emergency room doctors and nurses treat patients. However, we see some emergency room mistakes more often than others in medical …show more content…

However, if the medical professional had the time but just failed to obtain a medical history, this could lead to medical malpractice if the patient suffers harm for the oversight.
• Failure to Obtain Informed Consent – Again, in a life or death situation, the doctor may not be able to obtain informed consent prior to performing a procedure. However, a patient has the right to make decisions about treatments based on full disclosure of the risks and benefits. Unless it is life or death, the doctor must obtain informed consent before performing a procedure.
• Failure to Diagnose – This is a common medical malpractice claim throughout the healthcare industry. In an emergency room, the failure to diagnose could be the result of fatigue or distraction.
• Mistakes With Medications – This is another common medical malpractice claim; however, in the hectic environment of an emergency room, it can easily happen. Doctors can make mistakes in prescribing medications and nurses can make mistakes in interpreting a doctor’s instructions and/or notes.
• Negligence – Negligence can take many forms. If a medical professional fails to adhere to the industry’s standard of care, he or she can be guilty of medical …show more content…

Your physician should discuss your medical treatment, including any risks and benefits associated with a specific treatment. However, emergency rooms can become extremely busy causing physicians and nurses to rush through conversations and explanations.

You are your best advocate in an emergency room. Before you consent to any medical treatment, make sure you understand all of the potential risks and benefits. Questions you may want to ask include:

• Why are you prescribing this specific test?
• Are there any risks associated with this medical test?
• What are the risks associated with taking this medication?
• Will this medication interact with any other medications I take?
• Have you ruled out any other medical conditions? If so, what did you base your decision on?
• Are there any alternative treatments? Why did you choose this specific treatment?
• Are you admitting me to the hospital? Why or why not?

When you are discharged, make sure you ask questions regarding your discharge instructions. Do not leave the hospital until you have all of the information you need to take care of yourself.

Have You Been Injured By A Medical

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