You can file a medical malpractice lawsuit against a hospital, nurse, or another negligent party.
While most people associate medical malpractice claims with doctors—and it is true that doctors are the target of many such claims—you can file a medical malpractice lawsuit against someone other than a doctor. Common non-doctor targets of medical malpractice lawsuits include hospitals, medical facilities, and nurses.
In a medical malpractice lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that a health care professional did not uphold the standard of care, and as a result, the patient suffered injury, harm, or death. Victims of malpractice recover millions of dollars every year as a result of these lawsuits.
If you believe you were a victim of medical malpractice, whether by a doctor or another professional, a malpractice attorney from Newsome | Melton can pursue your claim and help you get the damages you deserve. We offer free consultations to new clients. We want to learn about your situation and offer advice on the best way to move forward. To schedule an appointment today, call our office at 1-855-MED-ASKS.
Who Can I Sue for Medical Malpractice Besides Doctors?
While many medical malpractice cases are against doctors, they are not the only people in the health care profession that have a duty of care to patients. If any professional breaches their duty of care to a patient, they could be liable for medical malpractice. Any of the following parties could be responsible for malpractice.
Hospitals
Hospitals are a frequent target of medical malpractice lawsuits. A hospital can often be liable for the actions of its employees, including doctors and nurses. This means a victim might be able to file simultaneous lawsuits against a medical professional who provided poor care and the hospital where they received the care. Hospitals are also typically large and have vast amounts of capital, meaning they have the money to pay a judgment awarded. Many of them are eager to settle outside of court and avoid a protracted legal battle if they believe your claim is valid and that you are well-represented by experienced counsel.
Medical Facilities
Most medical care happens in facilities other than hospitals. No matter if you received treatment at an urgent care clinic, a specialty center, or a university medical facility, the business or organization that provided medical services has a duty of care to you. If an employee of the facility breached that duty or provided inadequate care in any way, we might be able to hold the facility liable.
Nurses
Just like doctors, nurses are medical professionals. When patients undergo medical treatment, they often receive significantly more hands-on care from nurses than from doctors, making it all the more important that nurses uphold their duty of care. Failure to do so can result in patient injury and even death. In such situations, the nurse who provided substandard care can be liable.
When Can I Sue a Non-Doctor Health Care Professional?
Medical negligence and inadequate care can happen in many different ways and cause many different types of severe or fatal injuries. Here are some common examples that may constitute medical malpractice.
Errors During Treatment
When you are having surgery or undergoing any medical treatment, you expect the professionals treating you to exercise care and diligence at all times. Even the smallest error can cause serious injury. If a doctor, nurse, or anyone else attending to you made a mistake or administered improper treatment, you have the right to file a lawsuit and pursue damages.
Inadequate Care or Follow-Up
After a medical procedure, nurses and other health care workers handle much of the follow-up care. This includes monitoring vitals, providing food and liquids, and dressing wounds. Inadequate care can lead to illness, injury, even death. The person, along with their employer, can be liable in this case.
Bad Drugs
If you suffered injuries because of a bad drug, you might be eligible for damages from the medical professional who prescribed it, the pharmaceutical company that manufactured it, or the pharmacist who dispensed it.
Hospital - News Articles
Early in 2014, Dominique Adkins underwent an operation to have her thyroid gland removed at a hospital in Charleston, West Virginia. Adkins, 38 at the time, came out of the operation unable to speak and in severe pain. According to a medical malpractice lawsuit, filed in March 2016, her doctor allegedly impaired critical nerves in
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In August 2010, Joann Shull Bannister and her husband were told by Dr. Philip Kinder that his team at Columbia Urological Associates were planning on surgically removing a lesion from her left kidney. The Bannisters were relieved when it was determined shortly thereafter that the surgery was unnecessary. According to a medical malpractice lawsuit, filed
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