Washington, D.C Emergency Department Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Few environments are more chaotic, stressful, and overwhelming than a hospital emergency department (ED). According to the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC, over 130 million patients visit the ED annually, and over 16 million are admitted. ED doctors are prepared to diagnose and treat a wide range of emergencies, from car accident injuries and broken bones from falls to heart attacks, strokes, and other serious medical conditions. In most cases, these patients receive top-notch care from the healthcare providers in the ED. Too often, however, due to overcrowded and understaffed EDs and the pressure imposed on healthcare providers to cycle patients through the diagnostic process as quickly as possible, negligent medical errors can occur.

What Are Common Examples of Medical Errors in the Emergency Department?

The busier an ED is, the more likely mistakes can happen. While not all medical errors are considered negligent, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim if the following medical errors resulted in a serious health complication, caused your condition to worsen, or lead to a tragic fatality:

• Misdiagnosis: This can lead to inappropriate or incorrect treatment, which can cause the condition to worsen and become more challenging to treat. In some cases, incorrect treatment can also cause other health complications.
• Delayed diagnosis: If the patient’s condition is not diagnosed in a timely manner, the condition can progress and become more serious and difficult to treat. If the condition progresses to the point where treatment is no longer possible, this can result in a devastating fatality.
• Medication errors: These include prescribing the wrong medication, administering an incorrect dosage, and failing to monitor the medication’s effectiveness. In addition, if a patient has a severe allergic reaction to a medication and the allergy is included in the patient’s medical records, this is an example of medical negligence.
• Failure to obtain a thorough medical history: The first step in treating a patient in the emergency department is to get the patient’s complete medical history, including any current or previous health issues, a list of medications, and any other information that can help diagnose and treat the patient.
• Surgical errors: These can include operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the body, or damaging vital organs during a surgical procedure.
• Anesthesia errors: If an anesthesiologist administers the wrong medication or an incorrect dose or fails to consider potential medication interactions, the consequences can be devastating.
• Failure to order the necessary tests: Diagnostic tests like MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, and other laboratory tests can help accurately diagnose a health condition. A failure to order these tests can result in a delayed diagnosis and delayed treatment.
• Poor patient monitoring: If patients are not adequately monitored in the emergency room, their condition can deteriorate, particularly if critical.

Who Is Liable for Medical Errors in the Emergency Department?

Several parties may be liable for a medical error and the resulting injury or health complication. The following are examples of individuals that may be liable for a medical error in the emergency department:

• Medical professionals: The doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers responsible for your care are expected to uphold the standard of care that another similarly trained healthcare professional would provide in a similar situation. Medical providers who fail to deliver the standard of care due to a medical error may be liable for the resulting injuries or health complications.
• Hospital or facility: If the hospital fails to provide adequate training, maintain proper protocols, or ensure that the ED is sufficiently staffed, they may be liable for any resulting medical errors.
• Pharmaceutical companies: If a patient suffers a health complication due to a defective drug or a failure to provide the necessary warnings about the risks associated with a certain medication, they may be liable for any health complications caused by the medication.
• Third parties: This may include a medical device company or a company responsible for maintaining or repairing medical equipment. If their negligence contributed to an error in the emergency room, they may be liable for the resulting injury or health complication.

How Do Medical Errors in the Emergency Department Impact Patients?

Patients who arrive at an ED expect to receive the highly skilled medical care they deserve. Unfortunately, EDs nationwide are often overcrowded, and physicians and staff may be nearing the end of a 24-hour shift. This can lead to many of the medical errors discussed above. In addition to the impact this can have on patients’ physical health, medical errors can have a negative effect on patients in the following ways:

• Delays in CT scans and other diagnostic imaging can cause ED bottlenecks, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
• Newly trained or poorly trained nurses and clinicians in the ED are a major safety concern for patient care.
• Some ED patients are at high risk for suicide, even though their complaints are unrelated. However, while ED staff should be aware of the fact that suicidal ideation is common and that many patients suffering from psychiatric issues often present with physical complaints, there are no effective ways to quickly and accurately screen for suicide risk in the ED aside from listening to what the patient is saying.

What Damages Can I Receive in an Emergency Department Lawsuit?

If your health was compromised due to a medical error while you were a patient in the emergency department, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. A successful claims outcome may include the following damages:

• All medical expenses associated with your injury, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and future medical costs
• Lost wages if your injuries prevent you from returning to work
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement

The Washington, D.C. Emergency Department Medical Malpractice Lawyers at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates Represent Victims of Medical Errors in the Emergency Department

If you suffered an injury or health complication from a medical error in the ED, do not hesitate to contact the Washington, D.C. emergency department medical malpractice lawyers at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates. We will thoroughly review the details of your case, determine whether negligence was a factor, and assist you with every step of the claims process. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 202-223-4488 or contact us online. Our office is located in Washington, D.C., where we serve clients in the surrounding areas, including Northern Virginia and Maryland.