Injury Lawyers for Emergency Room Mistakes

When you go to the hospital for medical care, you have the right to expect thorough, effective, and timely treatment for your health concern. This is true whether you visit a hospital for a scheduled procedure or due to an emergency. Unfortunately, not all patients receive the care they deserve. When hospital staff members make mistakes, the injuries that result can be extremely serious and possibly fatal.

At Walsh, Knippen & Cetina, Chartered, our skilled medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to holding medical centers and healthcare systems accountable for their negligence. We provide trusted, comprehensive representation to injured victims throughout Illinois.

Doctor Malpractice vs. Hospital Malpractice

A doctor who fails to uphold the prevailing standard of care in a given situation may be liable for medical malpractice, also known as professional negligence. Doctors, however, are not the only individuals who can make harmful mistakes. Errors or negligence on the part of nurses, laboratory technicians, phlebotomists, and other hospital employees can cause injuries to a patient.

Sometimes, despite the appearance that the doctor is an employee, a particular doctor might not be an actual employee of the hospital or hospitals in which he or she provides care. Malpractice committed by a doctor who is neither an actual nor apparent agent of the hospital may not translate into liability on the part of the hospital. When hospital employees are negligent, however, the facility itself may be held liable. Examples of hospital employee negligence include:

• Treating the wrong patient;
• Medication and pharmacy mistakes;
• Inadequate patient monitoring;
• Discharging a patient too soon; and
• Anesthesia errors.

Emergency Room Malpractice

The emergency department is usually one of the busiest, most chaotic areas in a hospital, and the types of cases that present in the emergency room often challenge the skills of even the best medical professionals. Unfortunately, many emergency departments are understaffed, which means that doctors and nurses often rush to get from one patient to the next. As a result, it is not uncommon for mistakes to occur, including:

• Misdiagnosis of a patient’s condition;
• Treatment delays;
• Improper triage procedures;
• Medication errors;
• Failing to order appropriate tests; and
• Individuals performing tasks without sufficient training.

Aggressive, Thorough Illinois Malpractice Attorneys

At Walsh, Knippen & Cetina, Chartered, we understand that it can be difficult for the average person to piece together the events that may have led to his or her injuries in a hospital or emergency room. Our skilled attorneys know how to analyze and evaluate medical records to identify possible mistakes. We also recognize the importance of working with medical experts and other professionals who can help us build the best possible case on your behalf. If you or a loved one has been injured by the negligence of hospital staff, we are equipped to provide the top-quality representation you deserve.

Call 630-462-1980 Today

To learn more about our firm and how we can assist you with your medical malpractice claim, contact our office. Call 630-462-1980 for a free, no-obligation consultation today.