It is not uncommon for someone who has been injured in an accident or has suddenly become ill to be taken to an emergency room. This type of visit is based on urgency and requires the help of a qualified and skilled doctor. Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of this setting, there is the risk of an emergency room error taking place.
If you have suffered medical negligence in an emergency room, you may be eligible to seek compensation through an Illinois medical malpractice claim. Consulting with a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer is the next step you should take to determine whether you have a valid claim.
What can lead to an emergency room error?
Emergency rooms are busy with a lot of activity taking place. This creates the possibility of an emergency room error happening. However, the risk of hospital errors increases when there is a shortage in staff or if a large number of the patients who are being tended to are in serious or critical condition.
Sometimes there is miscommunication or a mix-up in patients or their files and records. Other circumstances that could lead to an emergency room error include:
- lack of training or experience;
- emergency rooms are poorly equipped;
- delay in obtaining a specialist;
- fatigued/overworked staff; and
- doctor rushes the patient rather than providing detailed care and attention.
While there may be a lot of pressure to work quickly, if a staff member causes a patient to suffer injuries or an illness that could have been prevented, this may be a case of emergency room negligence.
Patients who are seen in an emergency room are entitled to receive the highest quality of care. If they do not and it results in injuries, the responsible healthcare provider may be held liable through an Illinois medical malpractice claim.
A decision made by emergency room staff could mean the difference between recovery and disability, saving a life or causing severe injuries that can prove fatal. All it takes is one emergency room error to completely change an individual’s life.
What types of hospital errors can occur in an emergency room?
Hospital errors in an emergency room can range from misdiagnosing to a failure to treat. Some of the more common types of medical conditions that an emergency room doctor may misdiagnose include an acute stroke, appendicitis and a heart attack. Other types of hospital errors that can take place in an emergency room include:
- failure to order the appropriate tests or medication;
- misread findings of a test;
- giving a delayed or incorrect diagnosis;
- laboratory test errors;
- lab tests are misread;
- incorrect dosage of medication is given;
- incorrect type of medication is administered; and
- patient is not properly monitored.
Another type of emergency room negligence is if a patient is discharged for financial reasons, such as not having adequate or any health insurance. This is known as “patient dumping.” If a patient is critical and unstable yet they are discharged this could be a case for emergency room malpractice.
How a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help
It doesn’t matter how busy or chaotic your emergency room visit was, if it caused you to suffer injuries you may have a case of emergency room negligence. Negligence of a healthcare provider can lead to the filing of an Illinois medical malpractice claim.
A Chicago medical malpractice lawyer can evaluate your case to determine if you have a valid claim. If so, they will help you proceed with the paperwork and collecting of evidence in your Illinois medical malpractice claim. Your Chicago medical malpractice lawyer may contact expert witnesses for testimony and perform their own investigation into your emergency room error.
Working on your behalf, a lawyer will do their best to protect your legal rights and help you fight for your Illinois medical malpractice claim.
When to Hire a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer
A Chicago medical malpractice lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has dealt with similar cases to yours and knows the best course of action for your claim. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in a medical malpractice claim in Illinois, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
