Nurses bear an increasing amount of responsibility for patient care in hospitals and medical centers. That increase, however, is coupled with a rise in the number of medical malpractice lawsuits involving nursing errors.

If you suffered an injury or any exacerbation of your medical condition as a result of substandard nursing care in central Virginia, a Charlottesville nurse error lawyer from MichieHamlett could help you understand your options for filing a nursing medical malpractice lawsuit. For over 75 years, our talented medical malpractice attorneys have fought tirelessly to recover the compensation that injured parties need to rebuild their lives after experiencing devastating medical injuries.

When Are Nurses Liable for Medical Malpractice?

A nurse may be liable for medical malpractice if the care they provide to a patient falls below the accepted standard of nursing care in the state’s medical community, and the patient suffers some injury or harm as a result of the nurse’s mistakes. Common examples include:

  • Medication errors, including administering the wrong medication or an incorrect dose, or not checking a patient’s known allergies to prescribed medications
  • Disregarding or ignoring signs of patient distress, or failing to promptly alert treating physicians of deterioration in a patient’s condition (a common claim in nursing home lawsuits where a resident suffers dehydration or bedsores)
  • Using the wrong equipment or using equipment incorrectly
  • Fall-related injuries caused by a nurse failing to secure frail or elderly patients into beds or transport devices
  • Improper monitoring of a patient’s vital signs
  • Failing to document a patient’s treatment and responses to treatment in medical charts and records

An experienced Charlottesville attorney at MichieHamlett could examine your case and advise you on the legal options for a nursing error or medical malpractice claim.

What Damages Can an Injured Patient Recover in a Nurse Error Lawsuit?

If the facts of a case show that a nursing error was a proximate cause of injuries suffered by a patient, the patient may be able to collect reimbursement for:

  • Medical treatment and therapy to remedy the error
  • Wages and salary the patient lost while recuperating from the injury
  • Transportation and equipment costs associated with caring for the injury
  • Compensation for pain and suffering

In a small number of cases that involve egregious behavior or willful nursing neglect, a patient can also seek punitive damages.

The damages that you might recover in a Virginia lawsuit will be a function of the specific facts and evidence of your case and the extent of the injuries that you suffered. If you believe that a nurse’s error led to your injury or worsened your medical condition, do not hesitate to consult with an experienced Charlottesville attorney for a specific assessment of the damages you might claim.

What Other Parties Might Be Involved in a Virginia Nurse Error Lawsuit?

In almost every nurse error malpractice lawsuit, the nurse is part of a team of caregivers employed by a hospital or medical facility that is responsible for their training and supervision. Hospitals in the state that do not screen, train, or manage their staff properly may bear vicarious liability for a nursing mistake. An experienced lawyer could analyze the facts of your Charlottesville case to identify all parties that may be responsible for the harm suffered as a result of a nursing error and help you seek the damages required to rebuild your life.

Call the Attorneys at MichieHamlett About Nursing Mistakes in Charlottesville

The medical malpractice attorneys at MichieHamlett offer complimentary, no-obligation consultations for people who have suffered injuries as a result of nursing negligence.

Under state law, you have two years from the date of your injury to file your lawsuit. However, because nurse error lawsuits are so complex, you should call our offices to speak with a Charlottesville nurse error lawyer well before this two-year period expires. If you retain our services, our attorneys will devote their full attention and experience to recovering the largest damages award that may be available based on the facts of your case.

Contact us today for a free consultation.