Victims of medical malpractice have a long road ahead of them. Physical recovery is challenging, but the serious financial worries and emotional trauma can make the recovery process even more difficult.
When you have an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer on your side, you can focus on your healing while they handle the legalities of your case.
One of the most common questions survivors have is, “Who is responsible for what’s happened?” There are many parties who could have played a part in causing your injury or illness.
But in many medical malpractice cases, hospitals are also named as liable parties. Below, we go into further detail about when hospitals can be held accountable for medical malpractice and the common types of cases seen in civil court.
When Hospitals Are Liable for Medical Malpractice
Hospitals can be partially at fault for several types of medical malpractice. This is because hospitals employ the staff that work at the hospital, which are then responsible for the actions of their health care providers.
Many physicians and healthcare providers are independent contractors. Even if the hospital does not directly employ the health care provider in question, you may still be able to pursue a claim against the hospital.
But health care providers aren’t the only responsibility the hospitals have to their patients. They must also have the necessary medical equipment and supplies, have proper medical and safety procedures in place, and fulfill other patient needs. Whenever this standard of care is breached, the hospital can be found liable.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice Hospitals Can Be Liable For
It doesn’t matter what type of medical error was made; if a hospital employs the negligent health care provider in question, or if they are otherwise culpable for the medical malpractice that occurred, you could hold them accountable in civil court.
With that being said, there are some types of medical errors that occur more frequently than others. Some more commonly seen types of medical malpractice that result in claims against a hospital include:
- Anesthesia errors
- Birth injuries
- Maternal birth injuries
- Misdiagnosis
- Failure to treat
- Failure to provide follow-up care
- Surgical errors
- Delayed diagnosis
- Medical product liability
- Medication errors
- Infection
These are only a few of the different ways a person can become a victim of medical malpractice. If you have been injured or fallen ill due to another type of medical mistake, you may still be entitled to financial compensation.
Only after examining the individual details of your case will your medical malpractice lawyer be able to determine whether the hospital should be sued as part of your medical malpractice lawsuit.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Chicago
If you have reason to believe that you have been a victim of medical malpractice and are interested in learning more about whether suing the hospital is an option for you, contact a qualified Chicago medical malpractice lawyer at Lane Brown, LLC.
Call us at 312-332-1400 or reach us through the quick contact form below when you are ready to schedule your free consultation.
