Atlanta Hospital Negligence Attorneys

Common Forms of Hospital Negligence

Hospital negligence can take many forms, and unfortunately, it can impact patients in ways that may not be immediately obvious. Below are some of the most common types of hospital negligence that our Atlanta hospital negligence lawyers see:

• Medication Errors: Medication errors can occur when a patient is given the wrong dosage, incorrect medication, or an improperly labeled prescription. Such errors can lead to adverse drug reactions, toxicity, or even life-threatening conditions.
• Inadequate Staffing: A hospital may experience understaffing due to budget constraints or administrative oversights. When there are insufficient staff members, patient care can suffer, leading to delayed treatment, misdiagnosis, and even fatalities.
• Infections and Poor Hygiene: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) can be extremely dangerous. Inadequate sanitation practices and unsanitary conditions can expose patients to infections, which can worsen their health and prolong hospital stays. Hospital infections may include MRSA, pneumonia, or sepsis, which are often preventable with proper hygiene.
• Surgical Errors: Surgical errors can result from inadequate preparation, faulty equipment, or even miscommunication among the surgical team. Common mistakes include performing surgery on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside a patient, or failing to monitor a patient’s vitals adequately during the procedure.
• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: When a hospital fails to diagnose a condition accurately or in a timely manner, it can lead to delays in treatment or incorrect treatments. This is especially serious in life-threatening conditions such as cancer or heart disease, where early intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes.
• Patient Falls and Injuries: Hospitals are responsible for ensuring that patients are safe and that those who are at risk of falls receive adequate assistance. Failure to supervise or provide necessary assistance can result in falls, fractures, or head injuries, especially for elderly patients or those with mobility challenges.
• Improper Use of Medical Equipment: Hospitals must ensure that medical equipment is properly maintained and used by qualified staff. Malfunctioning or improperly handled equipment can lead to injuries or worsened conditions for patients.

Who is Liable for Hospital Negligence?

Determining liability in hospital negligence cases can be complex. While hospitals are typically responsible for their employees’ actions, there are often other parties involved. Potentially liable parties may include:

• Hospital Administration: The hospital administration may be held liable if their policies, staffing decisions, or failure to maintain a safe environment contributed to the negligence.
• Medical Staff (Doctors, Nurses, Technicians): Depending on the relationship between the staff and the hospital, individual doctors or medical professionals could be liable for their actions. Many doctors are independent contractors, and if their actions caused harm, they may be held responsible separately from the hospital.
• Equipment Manufacturers: If medical equipment malfunctioned due to a design or manufacturing defect, the equipment’s manufacturer may be held liable.