The National Institute of Health places the number of deaths from medical malpractice each year around 225,000, making it the third leading cause of death in the United States, following heart attacks and cancer. This does not even take into account all the serious injuries, including permanent injuries that occur each year because of medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice lawsuits involve doctors, nurses, medical personnel, hospitals, and medical facilities. Even though most nurses are employees of the hospitals, most doctors are independent contractors. This creates an extra shield of legal protection for the hospital if medical malpractice occurs due to the negligence of a doctor. Patients even sign forms, including the condition of admission which states that the doctors are not employees of the hospital, but rather independent contractors. Patients who are victims of medical malpractice therefore need to name the doctors as defendants, as well as the hospital.
Patients often enter hospitals with pre-existing medical conditions; therefore it becomes even more difficult in a medical malpractice case to prove that medical negligence caused serious injuries or death to the patient. Doctors who are responsible for medical negligence may blame the injury on the patient's pre-existing medical condition, rather than accepting responsibility for their own negligence. In situations like this, retaining the services of an experienced medical malpractice lawyer, especially one who is also a licensed medical doctor, such as Dr. Bruce Fagel, is vital for proving medical malpractice occurred and obtaining the largest settlement or verdict possible for the victim.
Another problem with hospital negligence involves overcrowded emergency rooms and overworked medical staff. A serious medical problem can progress into a severe medical emergency if a patient in need of immediate medical care is kept waiting too long. The patient may also be rushed through the examination and misdiagnosed. If the hospital is understaffed, it may even bring in less experienced replacement workers to help fill the void. This can lead to severe injuries or even death to patients, as was the case with a patient at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland who died due to an improperly trained replacement nurse accidentally administering a nutritional supplement into the patient's catheter which was set up to deliver medicine into the blood stream.
If you or a family member suffered serious injuries as a result of doctor malpractice, hospital malpractice, or the negligence of any medical professional, you may have a case for medical malpractice. Contact the Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates right away for a free consultation.