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Experienced Salt Lake City, UT Hospital Malpractice Lawyer
Hospital malpractice is a type of medical malpractice that involves error, omission, negligence, or improper conduct on part of the hospital employees or administration. When doctors or hospital workers act negligently, they can cause harm to the patient under their care. Injuries that are the result of hospital malpractice can be serious, catastrophic, and even deadly. Unfortunately, these incidents are more common in the U.S. than many people realize. Victims who suffered injuries due to hospital malpractice have a right to file a claim against the at-fault party. At Rasmussen & Miner, our hospital malpractice lawyers are firmly committed to holding medical facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah accountable for hospital malpractice.
When you need a hospital malpractice lawyer Salt Lake City UT residents trust, Rasmussen & Miner are prepared to help. Our lawyers have provided legal counsel to countless Utah residents who have been injured due to another person’s negligence. We value our clients and are committed to handling each case that comes our way with the utmost care and attention. We have successfully achieved excellent results for our clients who have suffered terrible injuries due to hospital malpractice. Malpractice cases are some of the most complex types of cases, leaving innocent victims severely impacted. As an affected victim, you deserve to be compensated for the lack of adequate care that you have received at a hospital. If you or someone you love has been injured due to a mistake made at a hospital, you may be able to claim financial compensation through a lawsuit or settlement claim.
Hospital malpractice cases are highly complex. Because they involve many areas of law, they can be difficult for the average client to understand. Before contacting a hospital malpractice lawyer Salt Lake City UT has to offer, you might have some questions about how medical malpractice happens in a hospital setting. Here’s a quick look at hospital malpractice cases:
Hospital Malpractice: Why does it happen?
There are many possible reasons for a medical mistake in a hospital, as an experienced hospital malpractice lawyer Salt Lake City UT can provide might attest. In some cases, mistakes are made because the staff is undertrained, lacks experience, or isn’t given the proper equipment. Some hospitals experience budget cuts or understaffing, and this can lead to an overall decrease in medical care quality. For example, if nurses are assigned too many patients they may be more likely to make a mistake or not provide adequate care and attention for each patient. Other cases of hospital malpractice are simply caused by oversight of the staff. If a hospital lacks adequate supervision it can result in increased incidents of human error, putting patients at risk.
Causes of Hospital Malpractice
Patients have the right to count on a hospital or medical facility to provide a standard of care and safety. This does not always happen. Hospital staff who act negligently after misdiagnosing patients, failing to provide treatment, misreading lab results, or other critical errors can cause serious or even life-threatening injuries to patients. Supervisors are also responsible for ensuring that their staff is providing sufficient care and proper treatment for patients. When this standard of care is not met, and an injury results, it may be possible to file a hospital malpractice claim. More than one party may be held liable. Experienced hospital malpractice lawyers in Salt Lake City, UT have seen incidents of:
- Undertrained staff
- Insufficient staffing
- Unsafe facilities
- Unclean facilities
- Hygienic equipment
- Inadequate equipment
- Lost records or results
- Poor communication
Hospital malpractice can result in unpreventable injuries or death including:
- Infections
- Birth injuries
- Falls
- Misdiagnosis
- Over medication
- Prescription errors
- Failure to diagnose
- Improper care
Injuries due to medical malpractice in hospitals can affect a patient for years. They may require long-term care for months or years. A number of patients suffer from permanent health conditions. The injuries sustained can have a catastrophic impact on a person’s life and necessitate lifelong care. Permanent injuries or disability may also result.
Victims who have experienced medical negligence as a result of a physician or medical professional’s carelessness or recklessness can take action and seek legal help. Having a lawyer at your side can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case, especially against a hospital that has a highly experienced legal team. There are many complex elements in a medical negligence case. Our team of hospital malpractice lawyers in the Salt Lake City, Utah area understand the consequences of a hospital malpractice case and work hard to define and prove the elements to ensure our clients recover maximum compensation.
What counts as medical malpractice in a hospital?
There is a certain amount of risk involved in nearly any medical undertaking, as a seasoned hospital malpractice lawyer in Salt Lake City UT might explain. Medical teams draw from their knowledge and experience to determine the best treatments for their patients. However, every patient is affected differently by various treatments so there is no guarantee that a procedure or medication will be effective. Doctors and nurses rarely have the ability to promise a patient, with 100% certainty, that a procedure will happen without any risks.
However, medical professionals still have a duty to provide a reasonable standard of care to their patients. They are responsible for making sure that a patient receives sufficient care and is treated properly. If they make errors or have acted in a manner that was careless or reckless and resulted in injury to a patient, the patient has a right to bring a claim against the involved parties. A patient may have a credible malpractice claim if he or she can prove that the medical professional displayed gross negligence, that this negligence directly led to an injury, and that this negligence could have been prevented or mitigated with a reasonable amount of care.
Some common examples of mistakes made in hospitals include:
- Medication errors
- Misdiagnosis or late diagnosis
- Malfunctioning medical equipment
- Unsanitary medical equipment
If you suspect that your injury was the result of hospital malpractice, you are urged to speak with a lawyer and discuss your experience. They will assess your case and gather the facts to see if you have a valid claim. If you have been a victim of negligence that amounts to hospital malpractice, the legal team at Rasmussen & Miner will fiercely advocate for your rights. There is limited time to file a claim, so schedule a confidential consultation to learn about your full legal options.
Who is responsible for hospital negligence?
Liability in a medical malpractice case can be complicated, especially when it involves treatment at a hospital. Certain staff members tend to be employed directly by the hospital, such as nurses. Doctors, however, might not be employees of the hospital; instead, they could be independent contractors or employees of a particular medical group, and they have an agreement with the hospital to work there. In a medical malpractice case, the hospital might not be legally responsible for a doctor’s mistake if it does not directly employ the doctor. How do I prove that my surgeon was guilty of malpractice?
Filing a Hospital Malpractice Claim
In order to file a claim, your Salt Lake City, UT hospital malpractice lawyer must be able to prove that the level of care given to you was below the normal standard of care. If it is shown that there was a lack of standard of care, there must also be a link between this and the injury or death.
Hospital malpractice claims are complex and multifaceted. You should only proceed when you have an experienced Salt Lake City, UT hospital malpractice lawyer on your side. Please call Rasmussen & Miner to have your questions and concerns answered.
Compensation for Hospital Malpractice
If hospital malpractice was the cause of your injuries, a lawyer might help you to recover damage for:
- Medical care
- Rehabilitation and treatment
- Lost wages
- Lost future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral expenses
If you are the loved one of someone who lost their life, a lawyer can help you to understand what type of claim to file and how to recover compensation for any related losses.
Your Next Steps: Calling a Hospital Malpractice Law Firm
Time is of the essence. Hospital malpractice claims have strict statute of limitations which are often no more than two years from the date of the incident. If you believe a medical facility failed you, and you are now dealing with financial losses, pain, and suffering, our hospital malpractice lawyers in the Salt Lake City, UT area would like to listen to your story. Rasmussen & Miner is committed to protecting the rights of victims and their families.
Contact a Local Hospital Malpractice Lawyer Salt Lake City UT Has to Offer
Malpractice cases involving hospital negligence can be complex. If you’ve been injured due to hospital negligence, you might be interested in contacting a local Salt Lake City UT hospital malpractice lawyer for assistance.
At Rasmussen & Miner, our lawyers have become strong advocates for individuals who have been injured by a medical professional. For more information about our law firm, or to set up a free case evaluation with a top hospital malpractice lawyer Salt Lake City UT trusts, contact us today.
Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Malpractice
When a victim suffers a spinal cord injury, it can have a major impact on their quality of life, both physically and psychologically. A hospital malpractice lawyer in Salt Lake City UT understands that when the injury was caused by the negligence or carelessness of a medical professional, it can be even that much more devastating.
The spinal cord is made up of a bundle of nerves that run from the brain down the back. These nerves allow the brain to control all the muscles that move the arms and legs, as well as control other body functions. When the spinal cord is injured, this causes a disruption of the signal between the brain and the nerves.
Spinal cord injury victims often struggle with chronic pain, respiratory issues, and paralysis, depending on the extent of the injuries. The spine is one of the most delicate and vulnerable parts of the body and any medical professional who works with the spine needs to practice with the utmost standard of care.
When Malpractice Causes a Spinal Cord Injury
Many spinal cord injuries are caused by accidents, such as car accidents and slip and fall injuries. However, as a hospital malpractice lawyer in Salt Lake City UT can attest, there are also many spinal cord injuries which are caused by malpractice by a medical professional.
Some of the more common types of spinal cord injury causes that a Salt Lake City UT hospital malpractice lawyer from Rasmussen & Miner has dealt with include:
- Emergency Room Errors: If there is a misdiagnosis of a broken back or spinal fracture when a victim seeks emergency care, this can cause the injury to worsen, sometimes to the point where it becomes permanent. One of the most common errors that a Salt Lake City UT hospital malpractice lawyer sees is failure of medical staff to properly immobilize the victim’s head and neck or the victim is moved incorrectly.
- Anesthesia Errors: If anesthesia is improperly administered during a medical procedure, this creates a dangerous risk of spinal epidural hematoma. This condition can cause an injury to the spinal cord.
- Surgical Errors: Any type of surgery to the spine is a very delicate procedure. When a patient is undergoing spinal surgery, it is critical that medical staff make sure that the patient is positioned correctly and constantly monitored. The surgeon performing the procedure must also have extensive medical training and experience in the procedure. Otherwise, catastrophic errors can occur during the surgery which can leave the patient with spinal cord damage and injury.
When a victim has suffered a spinal cord injury due to malpractice, the severity of the injury will depend on the area where the injury occurred. The higher the injury on the spine, the more severe the damage. Some of the more common complications include:
- Chronic health issues
- Loss of sensation
- Chronic pain
- Paralysis
Spinal cord injury victims often face a lifetime of medical bills, loss of earning potential, chronic pain, and negative impact on their quality of life. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of a medical professional, contact a hospital malpractice lawyer Salt Lake City UT clients recommended by Rasmussen & Miner for a free and confidential case evaluation.
The Challenges of a Medical Malpractice Case
A hospital malpractice lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah, can help you get past the mistreatment you suffered at the hands of medical personnel. When we receive medical care, we expect that we’ll be looked after with attention and dedication. However, in some unfortunate situations, we leave the hospital with more problems than when we went in, and a lingering sense of betrayal after our pain and suffering. Medical malpractice is a betrayal of the patient’s trust and expectations, and the right financial compensation can help you move forward after your improper care. However, it can be a challenge to prove you suffered at the hands of medical professionals. That’s where the right lawyer comes in handy.
After receiving improper or inadequate medical care, you may find yourself swamped with medical bills and rapidly sinking under the weight of other debts and financial obligations – and you may still be physically unwell. At Rasmussen & Miner, we’re ready to help you get the compensation you need, and we’re dedicated to making sure your case has a chance. Filing a medical malpractice suit takes lots of preparation, and it’s no easy task if you choose to fly solo. But what are the challenges of a medical malpractice suit, and what makes them so complicated to pursue?
Requirements of a Medical Malpractice Suit
For a successful medical malpractice suit, you have to prove you suffered at the hands of incompetent medical care providers. While the mistreatment seems obvious from your perspective, in order to win compensation for your claim, you’ll have to provide evidence. This important evidence is typically broken down into two elements: You have to prove that there was negligence involved in your care, and you have to prove that you received an injury. A hospital malpractice lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT, can help gather the evidence so you can move ahead with your case.
Proving that your healthcare provider was negligent can be difficult. To prove negligence, you’ll have to provide examples of improper care, as well as examples of unreasonable conduct. This can be backed up by the input of another medical professional, and it can be tough to find one who is willing to go to bat against someone in the same field. It’s important to provide the right documentation of the proper care (or lack of care) that you experienced, to better prove hospital malpractice.
Proving that you received an injury is also complicated. For example, if you had to undergo surgery, you would need to provide evidence that your injury was not related to the surgical procedure itself. In another case, you may have had to go to the hospital for an injury that was made worse by hospital staff. Again, the input from another medical professional can help you build an effective hospital malpractice case.
Reach out to Rasmussen & Miner Today
At Rasmussen & Miner, we understand how challenging and frustrating it can be to deal with hospital malpractice. When we rely on healthcare providers, we expect proper care and attention – not further injuries or negligence. Fortunately, we’re dedicated to ensuring each of our clients has a chance to get the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering. Reach out to a hospital malpractice lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT, today, and see how Rasmussen & Miner can help you tomorrow.