What is Emergency Room Malpractice?

Emergency room medical malpractice occurs when a member of the emergency room staff including front desk employees, surgeons, physicians, EMTs and paramedics, are negligent in their medical and professional responsibility to their patients. In medical malpractice lawsuits, negligence is defined as a physician failing to provide patients with a standard of care consistent with other professionals in their field.

Why do emergency room errors occur?

Emergency rooms are often understaffed with overworked employees having to treat crowded waiting rooms. The combination of these factors often leads to mistakes being made, which can result in serious injury or wrongful death.

What types of emergency room errors cause ER malpractice?

Emergency room errors that can lead to misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis or premature discharge include:

  • Failure to recognize symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or brain aneurysm
  • Failure to perform or order necessary tests for a patient
  • Failure to recognize suicidal tendencies
  • Judgment error in suspecting a patient of drug-seeking behavior
  • Failure to diagnose trauma to internal organs
  • Using a contaminated blood transfusion
  • EMT and paramedic neglect
  • Anesthesia malpractice
  • Surgical error

Common Emergency Room Errors

What are the most common emergency room errors?

According to reports, the most common emergency room error is misdiagnosis (30% of all emergency room related malpractice lawsuits are filed for this reason). The second most common is failure to diagnose, which accounted for 20% of emergency room related malpractice lawsuits.

What injuries can arise from emergency room errors?

Emergency room errors can result in catastrophic injuries, including:

  • Heart attack
  • Improper triage
  • Brain aneurysm
  • Stroke
  • Appendicitis
  • Pulmonary embolism

What should I do if I have been the victim of emergency room malpractice?

If you or a loved one has been the victim of emergency room medical malpractice, it is essential that you preserve all medical records related to the incident. Additionally, you need to consult with an experienced, emergency room malpractice attorney who can guide you through the process and fight for your full financial compensation.

At The Cochran Firm, we have offices throughout the United States and the resources to successfully litigate emergency room malpractice cases wherever they may occur. Please contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm nationwide to schedule your confidential consultation today.