Nashville Emergency Room Error Lawyer

Injured Due to ER Medical Malpractice in Tennessee?

In the fast-paced environment of an emergency room, mistakes and complications are inevitable. But when doctors, nurses, and other medical staff fail to meet the accepted standard of medical care, and a patient is injured as a result, medical malpractice may have occurred.

At Kinnard Law, our attorneys have more than 150 years' experience helping people with emergency room and other medical malpractice claims. We even have two Board-Certified Medical Malpractice Specialists on staff who bring unique insight to cases. When you call on us, we put our experience, skill, and resources to work on your behalf, pursuing justice and compensation for the losses you have suffered.

Our Nashville emergency room error attorneys are ready to discuss your case. Start by calling us today at (615) 933-2893 to set up your free initial consultation.

Common Emergency Room Errors

Emergency room errors can leave patients in much worse condition than when they entered the hospital. Victims of emergency room errors can suffer excessive blood loss, bacterial infections, heart attack, stroke, and a wide range of other medical problems.

Emergency room errors can include:

• Misdiagnosis: Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis occurs when a medical condition is incorrectly identified or not identified in a timely manner. This can lead to inappropriate treatment and worsen the patient's condition, such as mistaking a heart attack for indigestion.
• Surgical Errors: Surgical errors in the emergency room involve mistakes made during emergency surgical procedures. Examples include performing surgery on the wrong site, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or errors in surgical technique, leading to severe complications.
• Excessive Wait Times: Excessive wait times in the emergency room can lead to patients not receiving timely care. Delays in treatment can exacerbate medical conditions, increase discomfort, and potentially lead to life-threatening situations.
• Birth injuries: Birth injuries in the emergency room can occur during emergency deliveries. Errors such as improper use of delivery instruments, failure to perform a timely C-section, or not monitoring the baby’s vital signs can result in serious injuries to the newborn.
• Medication Errors: Medication errors involve mistakes in prescribing, dispensing, or administering drugs. Examples include giving the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or providing a medication that the patient is allergic to, which can lead to severe adverse reactions.
• Failure to Order Appropriate Tests: This error happens when necessary diagnostic tests are not ordered or results are not followed up on. For instance, not ordering an X-ray for a suspected fracture or missing blood tests for an infection can result in mismanagement of the patient’s condition.
• Failure to Properly Monitor the Patient: Inadequate monitoring of a patient's condition can lead to unrecognized deterioration. For example, not tracking vital signs or ignoring alarm alerts on monitoring equipment can result in missed critical changes in the patient's health.
• Errors in Triage: Triage errors involve incorrect assessment of the urgency of a patient's condition, leading to improper prioritization. Underestimating the severity of symptoms can delay critical care for patients who need immediate attention.
• Procedural Errors: Procedural errors are mistakes made during medical procedures in the emergency room. Incorrect insertion of a catheter or improper wound care are examples that can lead to further medical complications.
• Failure to Obtain Informed Consent: This happens when patients are not properly informed about the risks and benefits of a treatment or procedure, leading to procedures being performed without their informed consent. Such errors can result in legal and ethical issues.
• Discharge Errors: Discharge errors involve mistakes in releasing patients from the emergency room. Examples include discharging a patient prematurely, not providing adequate discharge instructions, or failing to arrange necessary follow-up care, which can result in worsening of the patient's condition.
• Diagnostic Imaging Errors: Errors in interpreting diagnostic images, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Incorrect interpretation of images can result in missed fractures, internal bleeding, or other critical conditions.
• Failure to Provide Timely Treatment: Delays in initiating appropriate treatment can worsen a patient’s condition. This includes not administering necessary medications, delaying surgeries, or failing to provide life-saving interventions in a timely manner.
• Improper Use of Medical Equipment: Errors in using medical equipment can lead to patient harm. This includes using faulty equipment, improper calibration of machines, or incorrect usage by staff, which can result in inaccurate readings or ineffective treatments.
• Contaminated Blood Transfusions: Administering contaminated blood or mismatched blood types can cause severe reactions and complications. This error can result from improper screening, handling, or matching of blood products.
• Failure to Address Mental Health Crises: Inadequate attention to patients experiencing mental health crises can result in insufficient care or inappropriate discharge. Failure to properly assess and treat psychiatric emergencies can lead to self-harm or harm to others.
• Hospital-Acquired Infections: Patients can acquire infections while in the emergency room due to lapses in infection control practices. Examples include infections from catheters, surgical sites, or contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to ER malpractice, our Nashville emergency room error lawyers routinely look for evidence in staff records, medical charges, video footage, and other sources to investigate the causes of emergency room errors. We have access to an elite network of medical experts who help us prepare cases for our clients. This gives you a distinct advantage when seeking maximum compensation for your damages.

Why Do Emergency Room Errors Happen?

Emergency rooms are crucial environments designed for swift medical attention, but unfortunately, errors can happen for a number of reasons.

Several of the causes of emergency room errors include:

• High Pressure and Fast Pace: Emergency rooms are inherently chaotic. Patients arrive with a wide range of issues, demanding quick assessment and treatment. This constant pressure can lead to rushed decisions, mistakes in diagnosis, or overlooking crucial information.
• Staffing Issues: Emergency rooms may be understaffed, meaning nurses and doctors have to handle a higher volume of patients. This can lead to fatigue, less time spent with each patient, and an increased risk of errors.
• Communication Breakdowns:  With various healthcare professionals involved in a patient's care, clear communication is essential. Miscommunication between nurses, doctors, and other staff can lead to missed information, wrong medications, or improper procedures.
• Incomplete Patient Information: Accurate diagnosis relies on a complete picture of the patient's medical history and current symptoms. Incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
• Diagnostic Challenges: Not all medical conditions present clear symptoms, making diagnosis difficult even for experienced professionals. In the fast-paced ER environment, time constraints can further complicate accurate diagnosis.
• Technological Issues: While technology plays a vital role in emergency care, malfunctions or human error in using medical equipment can lead to inaccurate test results or delays in treatment.
• Patient Factors: Sometimes, a patient's condition or inability to clearly communicate their symptoms can contribute to diagnostic challenges and potential errors.
• Systemic Issues: Hospital policies, unclear protocols, or inadequate training for staff can also create an environment where errors are more likely.

Dedicated to Fighting for Victims of Emergency Room Errors in TN

Whether you have suffered additional injuries due to an emergency room error or lost a loved one, Kinnard Law is just a phone call away. Our legal professionals treat every client like a person, not a case number. We are highly respected in the legal community and provide mutual respect to our clients.

You need a qualified advocate fighting on your side. Call Kinnard Law at (615) 933-2893.