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Philadelphia Emergency Room Malpractice Lawyer

When we go to the emergency room for ourselves or our loved ones, we go there because we have a medical emergency that needs to be taken care of. Trips to the ER, whether we drive ourselves or go by ambulance, can be scary experiences. One thing we usually count on is that the medical professionals who work in the ER being competent and delivering a high level of care. That is usually what happens.

Unfortunately, sometimes doctors, nurses, or other workers end up harming us more. It is not usually intentional, but negligence on the part of a healthcare professional can have deadly consequences. If you need a Philadelphia emergency room malpractice attorney, call The Weitz Firm, LLC today.

WHAT HAPPENS TO CAUSE ER MALPRACTICE?

The first thing that most people notice when they go to an emergency room is how busy it is. No matter the time of day or night, ERs are busy with patients. Often, they are also understaffed.

Why is this a problem?

If an ER is understaffed, it means more than just a longer wait time. It can also mean that doctors and nurses are so busy that they fail to diagnose a medical emergency properly. This can mean that they discharge a patient or give the wrong treatment. Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that diagnostic errors accounted for the largest fraction of medical malpractice claims. They make up a significant portion of the more than 250,000 people killed in the US due to medical mistakes.

Being rushed in the ER can also lead to patients being rushed through the system, and the cause may be from hospital administration. Many hospitals are for-profit, meaning that the more patients they can get through the doors and out the better. Because of this, doctors may be pressured to move more quickly, again leading to diagnostic mistakes.

While we all know that doctors and nurses are busy, they may be worked the point of exhaustion. It is not uncommon for healthcare professionals to work more than 24 hours in a row.

Is a doctor or nurse able to focus clearly after that long at work?

Common medical errors include medication errors. Often, patients are given the wrong medication or the wrong dose of their medication. An exhausted healthcare professional is much more likely to make these mistakes.

Whether the negligence is intentional or unintentional is irrelevant – medical mistakes in the ER should be prevented. When they happen, the people responsible should be held accountable.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO FILE AN EMERGENCY ROOM MALPRACTICE LAWSUIT?

In order to understand the timeline to file a medical malpractice claim in Pennsylvania, we have to dig into the law’s language. In most situations, state law provides that medical malpractice victims file their lawsuit within two years from the date they discover the mistake has occurred. Often, patients do not know right away that they have been harmed due to a medical error. That is why the law allows a lawsuit to be filed within two years from the date of discovery.

However, the law also stipulates that there is a seven-year statute of repose in place for medical malpractice lawsuits. This means that victims have a total of seven years to file a medical malpractice lawsuit regardless of when they discover the mistake occurred.

Finally, any person under the age of 18 who is harmed due to a medical error will have until their 20th birthday to file suit in order to recover compensation.

HOW MUCH COMPENSATION IS AVAILABLE TO EMERGENCY ROOM MALPRACTICE VICTIMS IN PHILADELPHIA?

Victims of emergency room malpractice may be entitled to various types of compensation for what has happened to them. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our qualified and experienced Philadelphia emergency room malpractice lawyers are regularly able to help clients recover the following types of compensation:

  • Full compensation of medical bills arising due to the mistake
  • Lost income if a victim is unable to work while they recover
  • Compensation for physical therapy or rehabilitation (if necessary)
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of personal enjoyment images

The total amount of compensation available for an emergency room malpractice case will vary depending on the factors related to each particular situation. These factors include the severity of the injury or illness caused by the error, level of a patient’s pain and suffering, the cost of ongoing medical care, and more.

WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY FOR AN EMERGENCY ROOM MALPRACTICE CASE?

If you are just starting your research about your emergency room malpractice case, it may seem overwhelming. That is because these cases are incredibly difficult to handle without assistance from an attorney. There are simply too many laws and technicalities for most medical malpractice victims to be expected to understand. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers want to handle every part of this case for you. We have the resources and experience necessary to:

  • Consult with medical experts in order to prove liability in this emergency room malpractice case.
  • Work to ensure that every client is properly cared for by trusted medical professionals.
  • Consult with financial and economic experts and to properly calculate your current and expected financial losses.
  • Negotiate with every party involved in an effort to secure maximum compensation for your claim.
  • Fully prepare your emergency room malpractice case to go to trial in front of a jury.

WHAT YOU CAN DO AFTER AN ER ERROR IN PHILADELPHIA

We know how scary medical emergencies can be, whether they are your own emergencies or a loved one is hurt or sick. We know you expected to get quality treatment from the doctors and nurses in the emergency room, but sometimes the negligence and carelessness of medical professionals cause us harm. If you need a medical malpractice lawyer in Philadelphia, The Weitz Firm, LLC will be by your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need for all of your incident-related expenses. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us.

Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyer
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