Medical malpractice cases are on the rise across the country and unfortunately a major proportion leads to serious complications, even death. A patient can become a victim of a practitioner’s negligence at various places, ranging from a clinic to a diagnostic center, hospital, nursing home, and a rehab center. Out of these, many cases happen in hospitals, specifically in emergency rooms. Every second count for patients in the emergency room, which makes it a stressful place for doctors and patients alike. Doctors have to make quick decisions and there are chances that these decisions may go wrong, leading to serious implications for the patient. Considering the prevalence and seriousness of emergency room medical malpractice, it becomes important to understand the situations that are covered and entitle you to compensation.
Paramedic and EMT neglect
Paramedics and EMTs are often the first people who reach people in emergency situations. The first few minutes of treatment they give to the victim can be life-saving. As a part of their duty, they have to make sure that the patient’s well-being is not endangered. From ensuring that the vehicle that carries the patient is germ-free to checking the expiry date of the medication to be administered, they have to be careful about everything. Reckless driving while transporting the patient is also regarded as medical malpractice.
Anesthesia malpractice
Anesthesiologists play a key role in surgical procedures because they give patients anesthesia prior to the surgery. The process requires extreme caution as the specialist has to be careful about the dosage and potential risk of an allergic reaction to the medication. In both cases, there may be serious complications or even death. Post-operative infections, airway mishaps, and cardiac arrest can also happen to patients under anesthesia when they are in the emergency room.
Surgical errors
Though surgical errors don’t always happen in the emergency room, there can be instances of wrong decisions being made under impending urgency. Surgical errors may range from operating the wrong part or performing a procedure that isn’t necessary. Surgeons even end up leaving tools inside the victim’s body. Since these cases are complicated, it is best to have an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to prove the claim and ensure that you get a fair settlement. Depending on the circumstances, they will advise whether you should implicate the doctor alone or involve the hospital as well.
Delayed diagnosis
Another common form of negligence in emergency room settings is diagnostic mistakes and even delayed diagnostics. When someone suffers from a rare disease that requires immediate treatment, emergency room providers seldom have time to make a proper diagnosis. Still, it is their duty to use proper diagnostic procedures to assess the patients and give them timely treatment.
Contaminated blood transfusion
Transfusion of contaminated blood can be life-threatening for patients and is a serious case of negligence. Despite stringent testing protocols in medical facilities, such errors still happen. The situation can lead to deadly infections, particularly if the blood is infected with HIV. Other complications that the patient may suffer from include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and shock.
While doctors areas susceptible to making mistakes as any other professional is, the consequences for the patients can be drastic. So you must absolutely get treatment only from reliable healthcare providers and also be aware of your rights in case of medical malpractice.
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