Understanding Hospital Liability For Medical Malpractice

A report by the World Health Organization shows that four out of ten patients experience personal injury during outpatient treatment and primary care, according to Business Insider. Whether you’re seeking medical attention at a hospital or have procedures done at a nearby liposuction office, you expect the practitioner to be qualified and able to provide the best services. Too often, doctors and nurses offer quality healthcare services. But in some instances, a medical professional might make a mistake that results in injuries or even death. While you have a right to file a medical negligence claim, determining if the doctor or the healthcare facility is responsible can be daunting. Read on to understand hospital liability for medical malpractice.

Before filing a medical malpractice claim, it’s important to understand that hospital liability can arise when a medical practitioner commits an error that results in personal injury. A hospital can also be held accountable for medical malpractice due to the negligence of administrative staff. Common medical malpractice types include failure to treat, delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis, emergency room malpractice, childbirth errors, and wrong drug prescription.

Although hospitals must operate at high standards, some facilities fail to uphold their obligation, and patients are harmed due to errors. Factors that contribute to hospital negligence include understaffing, hiring untrained staff, and failure to ensure the safety of patients. The good news is that a healthcare facility can be held liable for carelessness that causes harm to patients. But for you to receive a fair settlement, you’ll need to seek the services of a hospital malpractice attorney. Since medical malpractice cases are complex, an attorney specializing in medical law will help you prove your injuries were caused by a doctor’s carelessness or administrative negligence. They’ll also assist you in filing the medical malpractice claim within the set timeline.

It’s a common misconception that hospitals are liable for all medical malpractices reported by patients, but that’s not always the case. A hospital may not be held accountable for medical negligence if the doctor in question is an independent contractor. It may be difficult for you to distinguish between a hospital employee and an independent contractor. However, a lawyer can help identify an independent doctor by evaluating their level of control in the hospital and whether the healthcare facility is compensating them.

Whether you or your loved one have been harmed in a medical facility due to the staff’s negligence, know that you are eligible for compensation. However, the process of filing a medical malpractice claim isn’t easy because you must determine if the hospital or an individual is at fault. For this reason, take time to understand common medical errors, when hospitals are liable for malpractice and when they are not.