When members of the public or their loved ones spend time in a hospital, they trust that the medical staff will act in a responsible and professional manner. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. When doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel do not perform their duties as expected, associated results for patients can include injuries, prolonged hospital stays and even disability or death. Hospital negligence is not an isolated incident or an imagined problem. A 2004 report by Health Grades, Inc. revealed that roughly 195,000 individuals died in the U.S. in 2000, 2001 and 2002 due to avoidable errors made in the hospital. If you have suffered harm because of the inattention of medical staff, a hospital negligence attorney at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP may be able to help.
What Constitutes Hospital Negligence?
Hospital negligence is a broad term that may apply to a multitude of situations that can occur within the healthcare system. In some cases, the hospital staff member causes intentional harm to a patient. In others, the harm is unintentional. However, the person who caused the harm may still be liable if he or she neglected to perform the duties of the job in a reasonable manner and that neglect caused injury to a patient. Here are some examples of actions considered negligent:
- Failing to properly sterilize equipment or using improper equipment
- Giving a patient medication he or she was not prescribed or administering prescribed medication in the wrong amount
- Failing to keep proper reports and records
- Failing to properly diagnose a patient so that he or she can receive appropriate treatment for a condition
- Failing to treat or see a patient within a reasonable amount of time (a problem that usually occurs in hospital emergency rooms)
- Failing to order and/or complete tests and procedures that are appropriate for a specific illness or condition
The preceding are merely a few examples of actions and situations that may constitute hospital negligence. If you feel you have received inadequate or improper hospital care, the best way to determine whether you may be able to recover damages is to speak with a hospital negligence attorney about your situation. If you reside in Pennsylvania, contact Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP to arrange a free consultation with an experienced Philadelphia hospital negligence attorney.
Contact Us Today! WE CAN HELP YOU!
If you have been seriously injured in the state of Pennsylvania by the negligence of another and if you have questions or concerns about your legal rights, please don't hesitate to call. Our Pennsylvania injury attorneys are available 24 hours a day to speak with you, and we welcome all calls at no charge. Contact us today at 215-268-6623.
