Roanoke Nursing Malpractice Attorney

Nurses have tremendously demanding, often fast-paced jobs where the slightest error medication dosage or failure to check on a patient’s vitals can lead to serious injury or death. While being a nurse is a difficult occupation, that does not mean any nurse should be given a free pass. Nurses, like other medical professionals, must be held accountable for malpractice when it causes damages to their patients. As a victim of medical malpractice, you should not be responsible for the additional medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and potential disability caused by another’s negligence. To ensure that your damages are compensated for fairly, the experienced attorneys at MichieHamlett can work with you to file a lawsuit against the appropriate party.

Examples of Nursing Malpractice

According to the CRICO insurance program, only 14 percent of cases where nursing is considered the primary responsible service include an individual nurse(s) as a listed defendant for the case. It is also possible that the organization, such as the hospital, or the patient’s physician will be held responsible for the malpractice case. Ways a nurse can be involved in a medical malpractice case include if they fail to do any of the following and the result is further patient injury or death:

  • Properly administer medication;
  • Improper use of medical equipment;
  • Follow standards of care;
  • Monitor the patient’s vitals and symptoms;
  • Document the patient’s treatment;
  • Communicate with other medical professionals; and
  • More.

Common Injuries That Lead to a Nursing Malpractice Claim

According to the Nurses Service Organization, 42.8 percent of nursing malpractice lawsuits are because of a death. The other injuries that make up the top five for nursing malpractice cases include:

  • Fractures;
  • Pressure ulcers;
  • Fetal brain injury; and
  • Loss of limb or paralysis of a limb.

Proving Nursing Malpractice in Court

There are four requirements to prove nursing malpractice in a court of law. First, there must have been an established nurse-patient relationship. Second, there must have been a breach of care. There must also be proof that this breach of care led to an injury. Finally, this injury must have caused harm. Harm can include medical expenses, loss of income, emotional distress, along with pain and suffering. If the patient died as a result of the nursing malpractice, funeral and burial expenses along with loss of consortium are considered damages that the family can claim.

Contact a Roanoke Nursing Malpractice Attorney Today

When a person is sick or injured, they put their trust into the care of the nurses. Unfortunately, nurses can be understaffed and make errors that affect their patient’s health. If you or a loved one has suffered while under the care of a nurse, you may be able to seek compensation for the damages. A qualified Roanoke nursing malpractice attorney from MichieHamlett can help you determine if you have a case and advise you on if the claim should be against the organization, doctor, or nurse. We work diligently to compile a detailed malpractice claim and advocate for maximum compensation in each one of our client’s cases. Contact our offices to schedule a free consultation today.