Examples of Medical Malpractice in Hospitals
In the most recent five-year period, over 2,300 adverse actions were filed against practitioners in South Carolina. As patients, we rely on healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat our ailments, placing our trust in their hands. While most physicians and medical staff do exceed this standard of care, others fall short. When a hospital contributes to patient harm, both the hospital and treating provider may be found liable.
If you have had the misfortune of being a victim of hospital malpractice, the Greenville medical malpractice attorneys at Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC are available to provide assistance in filing your claim. In this blog, we discuss common examples of malpractice in hospitals to help you better protect your rights.
Medication Errors
Whether it be due to administering an incorrect dosage or the wrong medication, roughly 1.5 million people are affected by medication errors each year. Since many parties are involved in distributing medication to a patient, fault lies wherever the error occurred. For instance, if a physician prescribed the wrong medication, then the fault lies with the physician. However, if medical staff administered the wrong medication (inadvertently mixing up medications between two patients), then fault would lie with the nurse or other medical team member. In cases in which more than one party acted in error, liability may be assigned based on each person’s proportion of fault.
Misdiagnosis
An ER doctor provides the first line of defense in diagnosing and treating patients experiencing a medical crisis, making their role essential. A misdiagnosis may occur if a doctor fails to take a proper history, closely monitor a patient’s vitals, or order appropriate testing. Overcrowded ER rooms lead to compromised care, resulting in doctors placing patient lives in danger. If an error occurred due to inadequate staffing, then you may be eligible to recover damages from both the treating physician and the hospital.
Surgical Errors
From operating on the wrong patient, performing the wrong procedure, or leaving surgical instruments behind, surgical errors are occurring at an alarming rate. Many of these events are known as “never events,” signifying that these errors are completely preventable given appropriate security measures. It is estimated that approximately 4,000 “never events” take place in a surgical setting annually.
Although South Carolina medical malpractice law allows injured persons to recover three years from the date of the injury, there is a notable exception. Since medical mistakes are not usually apparent until the patient begins to experience symptoms, an injured party is given more time to file a claim. Under the discovery rule, an individual can recover damages for up to three years once they become aware of, or should be aware of, their injury. The “clock” will begin ticking if you have discovered your injury through “reasonable diligence.” However, the state imposes a six-year statute of repose following a provider’s negligent act, meaning that no action can be taken after that time.
Mixing Up Blood Samples
When a patient’s blood is drawn, the sample should be labeled with the patient’s name and immediately sent to the lab. Each hospital has their own system for organizing patient samples, but somewhere along the lines wires get crossed. Mixed up blood samples have been known to cause misdiagnosis, the incorrect treatment being administered, and fatalities.
Bedsores
Bed-ridden patients require constant repositioning to avoid pressure ulcers from developing on their skin. Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are areas of damaged skin and underlying tissue, which increase a patient’s risk of infection. Bedsores develop when an individual is lying in the same position for days on end, resulting in sustained pressure on the area and reduced blood flow. Bedsores are a clear sign of hospital negligence, often caused by understaffing.
Recovering the Full Extent of Your Losses
Hospitals have no excuse when patients leave in worse condition than when they entered. Patients who receive less than acceptable care often undergo further surgeries, physical therapy, and follow-up visits with specialists. These expenses add up quickly, causing patients to experience financial struggle just to return to their prior state of health.
As the injured party, you have the burden of proving that the physician’s actions caused you harm. At Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC, our medical malpractice attorneys conduct a thorough investigation into malpractice allegations. Our legal team will speak with other medical staff involved in your case and submit your medical records for review. We gather all relevant information concerning physician negligence, also consulting with expert witnesses who provide their insight into when and how the error occurred. Pinpointing the provider’s error can be challenging, but essential for winning the compensation that is owed to you.
Speak with Our Greenville Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today
Both hospital administration and medical professionals have a duty to adhere to a certain level of patient care. Although a lack of staffing has a direct impact on patient safety, medical staff should still be on the hook for any wrongdoing. If you or a loved one has recently experienced lost wages or extensive medical bills due to a provider’s oversight, the legal team at Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC knows that you probably feel overwhelmed and confused. Discussing your legal options is essential for deciding your next steps. To arrange your free consultation with one of our Greenville medical malpractice attorneys, reach out to us online or by calling (864) 432-1796 today.