Emergency Room
Malpractice

Emergency Room Mistakes

Emergency rooms are high-stress environments that are often too crowded and understaffed. Doctors and nurses must respond quickly to life-and-death situations. They must care for patients they have never treated before under the urgent need for timely treatment.

Trauma centers must make emergency rooms as efficient and safe as possible to establish a high standard of care for those facing severe medical emergencies.

Their job is to minimize the chance of errors by implementing and enforcing strict policies and properly screening and training their staff.

However, errors do occur. Some of the more common emergency room mistakes include:

• Failure to fully evaluate a patient
• Misdiagnosis
• Contaminated blood transfusions
• Failure to diagnose or a delayed diagnosis
• Lab errors
• Failure to properly monitor a patient
• Inappropriate medications or improper doses
• Errors during surgery
• Medical negligence
• Failure to fully treat a patient or delayed treatment

The Result of Negligence or Wrongdoing

Sadly, emergency room mistakes are often the result of hospital negligence or wrongdoing. This can mean anything from failure to properly screen doctors and support staff to improper record keeping.

Other examples of negligence in emergency rooms include:

• Insufficient training
• Unsanitary conditions
• Inadequate patient tracking procedures
• Medication errors
• Unethical policies (such as discrimination)
• Inadequate facilities
• Failure to maintain a sufficient number of doctors and support staff for every shift

More Common Than the Media Portrays

When the essential steps of treating an emergency room patient are circumvented, an emergency error will likely occur. Errors in hospital emergency rooms are common but rarely publicized because the media keeps them quiet.

Ill-equipped emergency rooms may result in fatal errors while patients wait for or undergo necessary emergency treatment. Some estimates say that each year, more than 225,000 patients die from injuries related to medical malpractice. Almost half of those deaths are the result of emergency room errors.

Do you need the support of an experienced emergency room malpractice lawyer to take the first step in pursuing a lawsuit?

Your initial call to Walner Law® to discuss your unique situation is always free. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay no fees unless we win your case.

Why Choose Walner Law for Your Chicago Emergency Room Accident Claim

Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference when you’re suffering from an emergency room accident. At Walner Law, we have represented accident victims in Chicago since 1961.

We’re an accomplished legal team with decades of experience and a track record of obtaining multi-million-dollar settlements for our clients. We make sure justice is fully served.

We know the challenges of being injured in an accident go beyond physical pain. You might experience financial trauma from unexpected medical bills and lost earnings.

You might wonder if life as you knew it will return. At Walner Law, we listen closely to your story, understand the accident’s impact on your life, and provide the moral support you need.

Through every step of your case, we’ll work to reduce your stress, handle the complexities of your claim, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

When you choose Walner Law, you can rest assured that we will stop at nothing to protect your rights. Our firm prioritizes building strong client relationships because we know trust is essential. It’s simple—to help you regain control of your life and move forward toward a brighter, healthier future.

Steps to Take After Emergency Room Malpractice

If you suspect emergency room malpractice caused you harm, taking immediate action is critical to protect your rights and build a strong medical malpractice claim.

Here’s what injured patients in Chicago should do:

• Document every detail of your emergency room visit. Record the date, time, and location of the hospital emergency room, along with the names of the emergency room doctors, physician assistants, and other medical personnel involved in your care. Note any medical mistakes or delayed diagnoses you experienced and how they contributed to your injuries.
• Obtain your patient’s medical records. Your medical records provide crucial evidence in proving medical negligence and are essential when filing medical malpractice lawsuits. Request copies of all tests, treatments, and notes from emergency room staff or other health care providers.
• Consult other medical professionals. Seeking additional medical treatment or a second opinion can help identify emergency room errors and establish a clear link between medical negligence and your injuries. Medical experts may also assist in determining whether the medical provider failed to meet the standard of care.
• Preserve evidence of your losses. Keep records of medical bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and any costs related to additional medical treatment required because of emergency room mistakes. This information helps calculate fair compensation and maximum compensation for your medical malpractice damages.
• Contact a Chicago emergency room malpractice lawyer. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer from a reputable law firm can guide you through the legal process, evaluate your case, and help you seek financial compensation for wrongful death damages, serious injuries, or other losses. Many Chicago medical malpractice lawyers offer a free or no-obligation consultation to injured patients and surviving family members.

These steps strengthen your claim and ensure you receive the medical care and financial compensation you deserve. Contact a legal team skilled in handling medical malpractice cases to discuss your options today.

Why You Need a Lawyer After an ER Accident

Dealing with the aftermath of emergency room malpractice is daunting, especially when you’ve suffered harm due to medical negligence. A knowledgeable Chicago emergency room malpractice lawyer can provide the experience and support to pursue fair compensation.

Here’s how having a lawyer helps:

• Identifying medical errors. Emergency room mistakes are common, but proving a negligent act requires a thorough investigation. A lawyer collaborates with medical professionals to uncover mistakes by emergency room staff or other medical professionals.
• Establishing liability. Whether it’s an emergency room doctor, hospital ER staff, or other medical personnel, your lawyer determines who failed to provide the medical care required under Illinois law.
• Securing wrongful death damages. If surviving family members lost a loved one due to malpractice in emergency departments, a lawyer helps them seek financial compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering.
• Navigating complex malpractice claims. Filing medical malpractice lawsuits can be overwhelming. An experienced legal team handles the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations, allowing you to focus on recovery.
• Maximizing medical malpractice damages. From medical costs to compensation for birth injuries, cerebral palsy, brain injury, or other serious injuries, your lawyer ensures you seek maximum compensation for your suffering.

A trusted Chicago personal injury lawyer can guide you through this challenging process, ensuring your rights are protected and your voice is heard. Contact a Chicago medical malpractice attorney for a free consultation and take the first step toward holding negligent health care providers accountable.