If you experience a medical emergency, you can expect to get the help you need when you need it in most cases. But the chaotic nature of emergency rooms brings its own set of risks. Millions of mistakes happen in these settings each year, with many patients suffering from lifelong trauma and physical damages they may never recover from. To protect your health and rights, learn more about the many kinds of emergency room errors and legal actions to take if you’re ever in this situation.
Are Emergency Room Errors Common?
While most healthcare providers deliver excellent care, errors in the emergency department are more prevalent than we would like to believe. In fact, studies show that a whopping 5 to 10% of emergency care patients in the United States alone will be victims of a medical error. With over 140 million visits to hospital emergency departments annually, that translates to about 10 million mistakes each year.
What Are The Main Types Of Emergency Room Errors?
Understanding the different kinds of mistakes that can happen in ER is essential. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Triage Errors: The triage procedure, which involves arranging patients in order of severity, can go wrong at times, causing life-threatening delays for those who require medical attention.
- Early Discharges: Doctors occasionally send patients home before their condition stabilizes, which might result in further issues or readmission.
- Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: One of the most common mistakes doctors make is making a wrong or delayed diagnosis, which can delay or even prevent a patient from getting life-saving treatment.
- Medication Errors: Administering the wrong drug or dosage is one example of a pharmaceutical error, which can have devastating effects.
What To Do If You Experience An Emergency Room Error
If you believe you or someone you know has been a victim of an emergency room error, follow these simple steps:
Document Your Evidence
Make sure you document every encounter, treatment, and conversation in the emergency room to use as evidence for your case. This can include conversations between you and your doctor, photos of your injuries, and documentation of diagnoses or treatments.
Find A Second Opinion
Never hesitate to get a second opinion from a different doctor if you have concerns or questions regarding your diagnosis or treatment. In addition to confirming or correcting the initial diagnosis, this might help clarify your condition. This step is crucial for your health and will help further support your claim.
Seek Out Legal Counsel
Talk to a lawyer who specializes in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. They are an excellent resource for learning about your legal protections, determining whether your claims have merit, and how to file a claim.
Our Attorneys Are Here To Help
If you’re dealing with the fallout of an emergency department error, we can help you navigate the legal process. OurNew York medical malpractice lawyers have extensive experience with emergency errors and other forms of medical negligence. We’ll help you seek justice for your injuries and receive the compensation you’re entitled to. Please contact us at (866) 574-0809 to schedule a free consultation today.