Common Hospital Errors That Lead to Lawsuits

A serious hospital error can leave families dealing with lasting harm and uncertainty about what to do next. When negligent medical care is involved, proving what went wrong can be challenging. Our medical malpractice lawyers in Allentown can help individuals and families make sense of these complex cases. Mette Attorneys at Law represents clients who have suffered harm because of negligent medical care. 

Common Mistakes That May Result in Malpractice Claims

Hospitals handle complicated medical conditions, procedures, and emergencies every day. Common hospital errors that may contribute to medical malpractice claims include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. A failure to properly identify a medical condition can delay necessary treatment and potentially allow an illness or injury to become more serious.
• Medication errors. Giving a patient the wrong medication, an incorrect dosage, or medication that conflicts with another drug can result in significant harm.
• Surgical errors. Mistakes during surgery can include operating on the wrong site, leaving surgical materials inside a patient, or causing preventable injuries.
• Failure to monitor a patient. Patients can require close monitoring after surgery, during treatment, or when experiencing serious symptoms. A failure to recognize and respond to changes in a patient’s condition can contribute to additional injuries.
• Communication failures. Incomplete communication among doctors, nurses, specialists, and other healthcare professionals can result in missed symptoms, incorrect treatment, or delays in care.
• Failure to obtain informed consent. Pennsylvania law generally requires medical professionals to obtain informed consent before proceeding with certain medical procedures and treatments. Failing to do so may expose them to legal liability.

These mistakes can alter a patient’s life forever. However, not every instance of injury in a hospital setting is categorized as malpractice. Medical malpractice generally occurs when a healthcare professional’s conduct falls below the accepted standard of care and causes harm to a patient. Understanding this is key to pursuing compensation for your losses.

Steps to Take After Suspected Medical Malpractice

After experiencing an injury that may have resulted from a hospital error, taking practical steps can help preserve important information and support your legal claim. Important steps may include:

1. Seek appropriate medical care for ongoing or worsening symptoms.

2. Request and preserve relevant medical records, bills, test results, prescriptions, and other documentation.

3. Write down the dates of appointments, procedures, symptoms, communications, and significant events while the information is fresh.

4. Keep records of expenses, missed work, and other losses associated with the injury.

5. Speak with Mette Attorneys at Law before making statements or taking action that could affect a potential claim.

There are also specific actions patients should avoid after suspected malpractice. Avoid destroying or altering medical records, exaggerating symptoms, posting detailed allegations about the situation on social media, or agreeing to a settlement without understanding the potential legal consequences. 

Get Trusted Legal Guidance from Our Allentown Medical Malpractice Attorneys

To learn how our Allentown medical malpractice lawyers can help you, call us today at 717-232-5000 or contact us by using our online contact form. Mette Attorneys at Law is prepared to discuss your circumstances and help you understand the next steps that may be available under Pennsylvania law.