When you think of the types of injuries a patient can suffer due to medical malpractice, you might assume that the physician, hospital, or health care system would be liable. However, there are additional health care providers that deliver care, and they can also cause serious injuries through negligent acts. You may encounter many non-physicians when being treated, including nurses. Under the definitions section in Maryland’s medical malpractice statute, the term health care provider includes registered or licensed practical nurses.
Because nurses are held to a certain duty by law, it is possible to seek compensation through a med mal claim. The concepts are different when pursuing a nurse compared to a physician, but you do have rights. You should discuss your circumstances with a Baltimore County medical malpractice lawyer to determine your options, and an overview of nurse malpractice is useful.
Legal Duty for Nurses
Under traditional medical malpractice concepts, physicians are held to a duty of care as measured against those with a similar specialty, skills, and training. Nurses are also responsible for meeting a certain legal standard, which is different from that of doctors. A nurse is required to demonstrate that degree of knowledge, diligence, and skill that would be provided by a nurse faced with the same circumstances. The failure to comply with this duty could cause serious harm to the patient, leading to a possible nurse negligence or nurse malpractice claim.
Injuries From Nurse Malpractice
One of the most critical tasks for nurses in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities is the administration of medication. As a result, many injuries linked to nursing malpractice involve medication errors. One common mistake is related to a dose that is too high, causing serious reactions and potential harm to bodily organs. Another is a too-low dose, in which the purpose of the medication is not achieved. A patient could suffer extreme pain or fail to get the effects of a drug.
In addition, nursing malpractice may lead to:
- Broken bones;
- Soft tissue injuries;
- Bedsores;
- Concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI); and,
- Many other types of injuries.
Why Legal Assistance is Crucial for Nurse Malpractice
These cases may involve many of the same complicated, technical concepts as med mal claims. So it is important to have legal counsel on your side. Your lawyer will support you by:
- Investigating the circumstances of negligence;
- Working with medical experts;
- Assessing proper parties, which may include the hospital, a nurse staffing company, or medical practice;
- Filing a nurse malpractice claim; and,
- Taking your case to court.
Contact a Maryland Medical Malpractice Attorney Right Away
Legal help is critical if you suffered injuries because of negligence by a nurse, and you gain an edge with your claim when you retain a lawyer as early as possible. To learn more about your rights, please contact Attorney Michael A. Freedman. You can call 410.363.6848 or send us a message to set up a no-cost case assessment at our offices in Owings Mills or Glen Burnie, MD. After reviewing your situation, we can advise you on what happens next.
