Emergency Room Malpractice

People experiencing concerning symptoms that require immediate attention will often visit the emergency room of their nearest hospital. Emergency room staff should triage patients and ensure that people receive appropriate intervention in a timely manner, but sadly, it is not uncommon for the errors and oversights of the healthcare professionals working in emergency rooms to harm the very people they should be helping. In many instances, the mistakes made in emergency rooms constitute malpractice and are grounds for pursuing civil claims against the responsible parties. If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to emergency room malpractice, it would benefit you to speak to an attorney about your possible claims. The assertive Prince George’s County medical malpractice attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A., are well-informed as to what it takes to succeed in cases against negligent doctors and nurses, and if we represent you, we will fight zealously on your behalf.

Emergency room malpractice often has severe consequences for patients. One common example of such malpractice is a missed or delayed diagnosis. This can be particularly dangerous in cases of heart attacks, strokes, or appendicitis, where timely intervention is crucial. Another example is improper treatment, which can include administering the wrong medication, incorrect dosages, or inappropriate procedures. Such errors can lead to adverse drug reactions, exacerbation of the condition, or even death.

Additionally, failure to order necessary tests or misinterpreting test results can also constitute malpractice. For instance, neglecting to perform a CT scan for a patient with head trauma can result in undetected brain injuries. Poor communication is another significant issue, where vital information about a patient's condition or medical history is not properly relayed among healthcare providers, leading to errors in treatment. Furthermore, inadequate follow-up care or discharge planning can leave patients without the necessary support and instructions for recovery, increasing the risk of complications.

Emergency room malpractice is typically the result of carelessness rather than an intent to cause harm. Therefore, in most medical malpractice lawsuits arising out of such recklessness, the plaintiffs will pursue negligence claims against the defendants.

In Maryland, a plaintiff attempting to establish liability via a theory of negligence must first show that the defendant owed them a duty. Generally, the duty imposed on a healthcare provider is to offer treatment that meets the standard of care, which is the care that a competent practitioner working in the same practice area would provide when presented with the same scenario. The plaintiff then must show that the defendant breached the standard of care in some way. In most cases, the plaintiff will need to hire an expert to testify regarding the standard of care and the ways in which the defendant failed to uphold the standard.

Lastly, the plaintiff has to demonstrate that they suffered actual injuries and that they were caused by the defendant’s breach of the standard of care. In other words, they must show they would not have sustained harm had the defendant upheld the standard.

People rely on the doctors and nurses working in emergency rooms to provide them with prompt and appropriate care, but all too often, the treatment offered falls short of what is appropriate and ultimately causes patients to suffer significant harm. If you were hurt due to emergency room malpractice, you have the right to pursue claims against those responsible for your harm, and you should consult an attorney. The experienced Prince George’s County medical malpractice attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A., can evaluate your harm and guide you through the process of seeking the maximum compensation available under the facts of your case. We have an office in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we frequently represent people hurt by medical malpractice in cases in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and other cities in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Charles County, and all counties in the State of Maryland in medical malpractice cases. You can set up a confidential and free meeting by contacting us through our form online or by calling us at (301) 441-2022.