Exploring Nursing Errors in Medical Malpractice Cases

When you hire a New York medical negligence attorney to work on your medical malpractice case, one of the first steps he or she will take is to determine which parties might be named as defendants in the lawsuit. For medical malpractice cases, the defendants are usually physicians, which can include internists and cardiologists,obstetricians, surgeons, or other medical specialists who treated the patient, and hospitals or clinics. However, any healthcare professional may be held responsible for acts of medical malpractice, including nursing staff.

Types of Nursing Errors

Physicians may be responsible for most diagnoses and treatment recommendations, but nurses interact with patients much more frequently. Because of this, there is significant room for error. If a patient has a sudden medical emergency, it is the responsibility of the attending nurse to identify the signs of distress and respond appropriately. One type of nursing error is the failure to monitor the patient properly and notify the attending physician that the patient needs assistance. Another example of nursing malpractice involves medication errors. Although a doctor may order a prescription, it is the nurse’s responsibility to administer it to inpatients. Nurses might be found negligent for administering the incorrect medication, failing to administer any medication at all, giving the patient the wrong dosage, or injecting the medication improperly.

Evidence of Nursing Malpractice

Like physician malpractice, nursing malpractice claims must be substantiated with evidence. Physical evidence may include the patient’s medical records or the nurse’s patient notes. In some cases, it may be appropriate for a medical malpractice lawyer to call an expert witness to the stand, who will likely be another nursing professional. This healthcare provider may testify that the defendant nurse deviated from the standard of care and that this directly led to the patient’s injuries.

Pegalis & Erickson, LLC continues its longstanding tradition of serving as effective patient advocates for individuals who have been affected by medical malpractice in Long Island, New York. Our medical negligence lawyers work closely with each client to help him or her navigate the legal system. To request a complimentary review of your case, give us a call today at (516) 684-2900.