Warning Signs
In the extremely busy and hectic environment of an emergency room, it can be quite easy for hospital staff to lose track of patients and fail to deliver excellent care. Despite protocol and procedures, mistakes and errors occur, putting patient’s lives at risk each and every day.
Diagnosis & Care
Emergency room mistakes account for nearly half of the malpractice claims filed against hospitals each year, and most of the claims are based upon diagnostic errors. The most frequently misdiagnosed conditions in emergency rooms include heart attack, stroke, appendicitis, meningitis, and pulmonary embolism. Emergency room errors can also be caused by inadequate training; inadequate number of doctors and support staff on duty; inadequate record keeping procedures and patient tracking procedures; unsanitary conditions; medication administration mistakes; communication errors; or failure to fully evaluate, treat, or monitor a patient.
Expenses
Mistakes that are made in emergency rooms often result in complications that have the potential to lead to serious injury or death. As a result, individuals face additional medical expenses, in addition to lost income and decreased quality of life. Depending on the extent of injury and patient prognosis, cost projections for the injured party typically include expenses associated with future medical treatment, any necessary medical equipment, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys can evaluate your case free of charge to see if you are eligible for compensation.
Treatment Centers
While many people visit emergency rooms with non-emergency conditions, other serious visits must be quickly and accurately assessed since just minutes could mean the difference between life and death. Treatment greatly depends on the type of injury incurred or the patient’s current condition as well as the patient’s longterm prognosis. Because each individual case varies, it is best to contact our offices for a free consultation.
Books & Resources
For more information on emergency room errors, the following resources are available: