The emergency room is a busy, fast-moving place. In fact, 139 million people visited the emergency room in the United States in one recent year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Emergency room doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are highly trained and skilled in handling a high caseload and providing people the emergency treatment they need. However, in this fast-paced environment, mistakes can and do happen.
If you have suffered harm from a medical error while receiving emergency treatment, a medical malpractice attorney at Baker & Gilchrist can help you understand your options for pursuing compensation. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your claim and answers to your legal questions.
Types of Emergency Room Errors
There are many types of medical errors that can cause harm to patients in the ER. Many of these errors can delay recovery significantly and even cause additional harm to the patient. Common types of ER errors include:
- Misdiagnosis (most commonly with heart attacks, strokes, meningitis, cancer, and infections)
- Delay in treatment
- Medication errors
- Laboratory errors
- Mistakes interpreting test results
- Failure to reduce the risk of infection
There are many factors that contribute to errors in an emergency room setting, such as overcrowding, difficulty obtaining medical history, lack of equipment, or medical personnel feeling stressed or tired. Although some of these factors may seem unavoidable, there is no excuse for providing substandard care to patients.
When Is an ER Error Considered Malpractice?
When you go to the emergency room, you expect that the medical professionals there will help you get better, not worse. Doctors and other healthcare professionals have a duty to patients to provide an acceptable standard of care when evaluating and treating injuries and illnesses. When a healthcare provider fails to meet this standard of care, and you suffer harm as a result, you may be able to seek compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
In order to prove that the doctor or other medical professional was negligent, your attorney will need to gather and examine a variety of evidence, including hospital records and statements from the individuals who were involved in your treatment. Your attorney will also consult with other medical experts about the treatment you received.
Cases involving medical malpractice in the ER can be complex, so it is crucial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Baker & Gilchrist Today
If you were injured or otherwise harmed due to an error in the emergency room, the attorneys at Baker & Gilchrist can review your case and explain your legal rights. You may be owed compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning potential, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Attorneys Rex Baker and Caroline Gilchrist have over 60 years of combined litigation experience, much of which has been focused on medical malpractice claims. Our team understands that medical malpractice claims can be particularly complicated, and we have the knowledge and the resources to fight for the best interests of injured patients.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get answers to your legal questions.
The injury attorneys at Baker & Gilchrist take great pride in helping injured people when their injuries occur due to someone else’s negligent, careless, or reckless actions. With over 60 years of combined litigation experience, we can offer you the knowledge and assistance necessary to help you win the compensation you rightfully deserve for your injuries.