Were You A Victim of Nursing Malpractice?
Much like medical malpractice, nursing malpractice happens when patients who are supposed to be under healthcare provider care are injured due to negligent behavior. The injuries sustained in these incidents can range from minor to life-altering, and some of the most common types of nursing malpractice in Pennsylvania include medication errors, falls, pressure ulcers, and infections. We visit the hospital and get treatment from doctors and nurses to feel better. No one walks into a hospital wishing to exacerbate their condition. However, there are times when healthcare providers fail to comply with the medical standard of care, and for this, injured patients would need the help of a PA malpractice attorney. If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing malpractice, don’t hesitate to seek legal help. Touch base with a nursing malpractice attorney from Reading, PA law firm PA Malpractice Lawyers, P.C. An attorney can thoroughly review your case, determine liability, and help you file injury claims so you can get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward seeking justice for your injuries.What is Nursing Malpractice?
Nursing malpractice occurs when nurses fail to provide the patient with the proper care that is expected of them. Falling short of the medical standard of care and causing injury to the patient is considered malpractice. This takes many forms from wrong drug administration to failing to report conditions to doctors. Negligent errors can cause serious harm to patients who are seeking to improve their health. For this, patients are entitled to compensation. However, the road to obtaining damages is complicated, hence the need for an attorney to help with the process.What Counts as Nursing Malpractice?
Nursing malpractice involves a whole host of negligent actions, much like medical malpractice for doctors. Each action is potentially harmful to patients and can result in life-altering injuries and even wrongful death. Here are some of the most common examples of nursing malpractice in PA:Failure to Report or Act When Required
Failure to do something when action is needed is grounds for nursing malpractice. Not reporting or acting on a condition can cause it to become exacerbated, thus further harming the patient. After all, a nurse’s duty is to monitor the patient.Patient Injury Due to Equipment
Faulty handling of equipment can result in injury in patients. This can range from simply knocking something on a patient or leaving medical equipment inside a patient. This counts as negligent behavior.Wrong Drug Administration
Administering drugs is a crucial part of nursing care, and errors in this process can lead to significant harm to patients. If you or a loved one has suffered from wrong drug administration, seeking legal help from a nursing malpractice attorney is essential. They can help you navigate the legal system and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact a nursing malpractice attorney today for assistance.Who is Liable for Nursing Malpractice?
Nursing malpractice cases can result in many individuals being held liable, including hospitals and doctors. Here are some common examples of who can be held liable for nursing malpractice:The Hospital
If the nurse is employed in the hospital and fulfilling a duty when the patient was injured, the hospital can be held liable for the malpractice injuries. The hospital is also liable if a doctor not employed by the medical institution was not present.The Doctor
The doctor can be held liable if they were not present when the malpractice occurred and whether the doctor had any control over the nurse’s actions. In most cases, expert testimony from a qualified medical expert is required to determine negligence and what a competent nurse would have done in the situation. In some states, the qualified medical expert to testify in a nursing malpractice case must be a nurse. A non-specialist doctor is not enough. In nursing malpractice cases, there are times when a nurse’s carelessness is so obvious that no medical expert testimony is required. If you need your case to be thoroughly evaluated in order to obtain compensation, consult with a nursing malpractice attorney from PA Malpractice Lawyers, P.C. Their attorney can investigate the case and determine the best course of action for you to take.Can You Sue for Nursing Malpractice?
When a patient receives nursing care, they trust that they will receive the appropriate standard of care. However, there are times when nurses fall short of their expected duties, leading to harm or injury to patients. In such situations, patients may be able to sue for nursing malpractice to receive compensation. However, to file a successful lawsuit, you must meet the legal requirements, seek the help of an attorney, and be aware of the time limits for filing. If you believe you have a case for nursing malpractice, don’t hesitate to reach out to a medical malpractice attorney to discuss your options.What are the Elements Needed for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
The elements needed for a medical malpractice claim include the following:- Establishing a healthcare provider-patient relationship. You must first be able to prove that there was indeed a relationship between you and the nursing staff, that you sought treatment from them and were injured as a result.
- The nurse was negligent. Similar to doctors in a medical malpractice claim, in nursing malpractice cases, negligence on the end of the nurse must be proven.
- Negligence resulted in harm or injury. The negligence of the healthcare provider is the cause of your injuries.
- Injuries resulted in specific damages. You must be able to prove that the injuries you have sustained from the negligent acts were responsible for the declined quality of life you have experienced.
