Medical Malpractice in the Emergency Room

Emergency rooms provide critical care at a time when patients are suffering from severe, life-threatening medical events. As a result, they are high-pressure, oftentimes chaotic environments where medical professionals must do their best to stabilize a patient’s condition. Unfortunately, mistakes can occur and those mistakes can result in long-term health problems and sometimes death. If you believe that you have suffered injury as a result of being treated in an emergency room, the best thing you can do is speak with an experienced Laurel medical malpractice lawyer. 

Understanding How the Standard of Care Applies in Emergency Room Cases

In any medical malpractice case, the victim must prove more than simple negligence. Instead, they must prove that the treatment they received deviated from the commonly accepted standard of care. The standard of care is what would be considered adequate medical treatment as would be performed in the same or similar circumstances by a medical professional with the same education, experience, and training. The standard of care also takes into consideration the nature of the illness or injury. A Laurel medical malpractice lawyer will be able to determine what standard of care applies in whatever type of medical malpractice claim they may be handling. 

Because of the nature of emergency rooms, a different standard of care will apply than in other circumstances. ER doctors and nurses often do not have the opportunity to access your medical records. If you are unresponsive and your condition is life-threatening, they may have to make instantaneous decisions that might not otherwise be made. The bottom line is that mistakes made in the emergency room do not always qualify as medical malpractice. 

This is why it is so important to discuss your case with a Laurel medical malpractice lawyer before deciding how to proceed. They can review your case, determine whether you have a claim, and estimate what your claim may be worth. 

Common Emergency Room Mistakes That May Be Medical Malpractice

Here are some of the most common emergency room errors that can give rise to medical malpractice claims: 

• Misdiagnosis 
• Medication errors
• Surgical errors
• Misinterpreting test results or failing to order the appropriate tests
• Ignoring symptoms
• Delaying treatment

Again, it can be difficult to determine whether these errors rise to the level of medical malpractice. The facts surrounding the treatment you received will be critical. In addition, it is important to note that the malpractice may have been committed by one or more medical professionals, including nurses or other medical staff. If you believe you have suffered harm as a result of receiving treatment at the ER, the best thing you can do is talk to a Laurel medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. 

Talk to Laurel Medical Malpractice Lawyer Thomas E. Pyles Today

With over 30 years of experience, Laurel medical malpractice lawyer Thomas E. Pyles knows how to help malpractice victims get fair compensation for their claims. You don’t have to face an uncertain future alone – call 301-705-5006 or email us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.