How Can Negligence Occur During a Hospital Stay

No one checks into a hospital for a vacation. If you go to the hospital, it is because you have a health issue that needs to be taken care of. Even with the excitement of having a baby, going into the hospital can trigger stress and anxiety for many. The hope is that you come out of the hospital better than when you went in, but there are no guarantees. Sometimes, there is nothing more that a doctor can do.

Unfortunately, there are also scenarios where you could leave the hospital in a worse condition because of negligence. In that case, you could be dealing with an issue of medical malpractice, and that is when you need the guidance of a supportive attorney, like you would find at Prince Law Firm. We have helped many clients navigate the complexities of a medical malpractice claim.

First, it is important to understand how negligence can occur during a hospital stay. Consider the following:

Emergency Room Errors

Emergency rooms are the very definition of high-stakes environments. At any given time, dozens of patients could be present, all dealing with various levels of trauma. This requires the doctors, nurses, and support staff to always be on alert. Too often, mistakes occur in ERs because of overcrowding or rushed decisions.

Hospital-Acquired Infections

Like any other building, hospitals are frequented by many visitors, each of whom runs the risk of bringing in germs and viruses. Unlike other buildings, hospitals have strict protocols in place designed to mitigate the spread of germs. If it can be established that the hospital staff didn’t follow the sanitary protocols, there could be a negligence claim.

Surgical Errors

Every surgery requires a team of dedicated professionals focused on the procedure. Even with all those people working on the surgery, mistakes can happen, such as operating on the wrong body parts or leaving a surgical instrument in a patient. These errors can cause further health complications and lead to corrective surgery.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

Treatment for a condition can’t be prescribed until a diagnosis is complete. If there is a missing diagnosis or a delayed diagnosis during a hospital stay, it can create complications. This can also be an issue if a patient is sent home too early and their condition worsens.

Birth Injuries

Mistakes that happen during a child’s delivery can injure the new baby and the mother. These complications can be anything from handling birth misjudgments to failure to perform a C-section when conditions require the procedure.

Medication Errors

Everyone on the hospital floor will have medication dispensed to them sometime during their stay. The medication can be administered orally, intravenously, or through an injection. Because there is such a high volume of medications being dispensed, there is a risk of occasional errors. There could also be problems associated with harmful side effects.

Violation of Patient Rights

Patients can also be harmed if their privacy, decision-making, and treatment rights are violated.

The Need for an Affidavit of Merit

If you are the victim of hospital negligence, you must obtain an affidavit of merit before proceeding with your medical malpractice claim. You would not be able to handle this on your own, but you can get it accomplished with the support of a medical malpractice attorney.

According to Illinois law, the affidavit of merit needs to be written by a medical professional who meets the following criteria:

• They are knowledgeable about specific medical issues and claims.
• They have experience and comprehend the claim’s subject matter.
• They currently practice or teach medicine in a field that is related to the patient’s claim.

This affidavit is not the final proof that you have a legitimate claim. It is a way to protect doctors and hospitals from frivolous lawsuits that can distract from patient care.

Moving Forward with a Medical Malpractice Claim

If you feel the need to move forward with a medical malpractice claim against a hospital, Prince Law Firm wants to hear from you. We can provide an initial case evaluation to determine the merits of your case and discuss the best options for moving forward. Get your questions answered today.