Possible Mistakes in the Emergency Room

Monday, February 8, 2021

Possible Mistakes in the Emergency Room

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Medical professionals, especially those employed in an emergency room, can cause severe injuries or death from a mistake. Whether they incorrectly diagnose someone, give the wrong medication, or don’t treat a patient quickly enough, their negligence can have severe consequences. You should contact an experienced personal injury attorney.

Being extremely busy is an acceptable reason for making a mistake in many situations, but unfortunately, this same logic doesn’t apply in an emergency room. Emergency rooms inherently demand more accuracy than most other areas of medical practice. Medical professionals, such as medical assistants, nurses, and doctors, must think fast on their feet in the emergency room to give every patient quality care.

If they can’t do this or make a mistake, it can mean the difference between life and death for a patient. A knowledgeable Chicago medical malpractice lawyer can help patients and families who become victims of medical malpractice cases.

Types of Emergency Room Mistakes

Emergency room errors can be different, yet typically they can all be traced back to the negligence of at least one care provider. All medical providers in emergency rooms owe a duty of care to the patients they serve. Common general emergency room mistakes include:

1. Ignoring or downplaying symptoms
2. Patient “dumping,” the transferring/releasing a patient because of financial reasons
3. Misinterpreting test results
4. Misdiagnosing a medical condition
5. Mistakes with medication such as giving the wrong dose or the wrong medication
6. Failure to order appropriate tests

1. Delayed treatment
2. Failure to refer a patient for necessary follow-up treatment

Damages that can Result from Emergency Room Mistakes

Damages are financial compensation for the losses an injured individual incurred because of their injury. If you were injured by a medical professional, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages stemming from their negligence. However, it’s crucial that you are aware that your time to do so is limited. The Illinois statute of limitations for medical malpractice injuries is two years under state law 735 ILCS 5/13-201. Injured patients must file their lawsuit within two years of the date of their injury or within two years of the discovery date of their injury, or when the patient reasonably should have known about the injury.

Medical malpractice victims often claim the following damages:

• Economic damages which might include past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, rehabilitation, and long-term care
• Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, scarring and disfigurement, loss of companionship, loss of consortium, loss of quality of life, and loss of a bodily function

It is imperative to have an experienced lawyer calculate your past and future damages to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation that you need to cover your losses. 

Call an Experienced Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Help Today

When the medical professionals you trusted to provide accurate and timely care for you or your loved one make crucial mistakes, the results could be severe and even life-threatening. Hire a reputable Chicago medical malpractice attorney to provide the legal assistance you need to recover your damages. You can turn to the trusted medical malpractice attorneys at Malman Law today for your free legal consultation. Call (312) 629-0099 or use our online contact form.