Is Falling in the Hospital Considered Medical Malpractice?
Call the Law Offices of Cardaro & Peek today.
Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, but who is liable when the fall occurs on the hospital grounds? It isn’t uncommon for a patient or their loved one to fall in a medical facility, and sometimes, these falls can lead to serious injuries. Depending on the circumstances, falling in a hospital or medical facility could be considered medical malpractice .
Examples of Inpatient Falls
The person who was injured must have been receiving treatment in order for the fall to be considered medical malpractice . Furthermore, the doctor or medical professional providing the treatment must have fallen short of the standard of care, and their negligence must have led to the fall and subsequent injury. Examples of inpatient falls include:
— Polypharmacy: Polypharmacy occurs when multiple medications are prescribed to the patient at one time, and the patient experiences adverse side effects and falls.
— Misdiagnosis: When a doctor fails to recognize that a patient has suffered a debilitating episode, they may place the patient in an inadequate bed or leave the patient unattended, causing the patient to fall.
Slip and Fall Claims
If a patient is walking from their hospital bed to the front desk and slips and falls on a puddle of water, the hospital could be liable for any injuries. Slip and fall claims can occur in any location, but an incident that occurs on hospital grounds must be unrelated to the patient’s condition and their treatment.
Negligence or Medical Malpractice
When it comes to examining falls that occur in a medical facility, it’s important to determine if the case is medical malpractice or negligence. Did the fall occur at the fault of a doctor while she was administering care? Or did the fall occur at the fault of a leaky ceiling or other problem with the facility? An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help determine if your case is considered negligence or medical malpractice.
Contact The Law Offices of Cardaro & Peek, LLC Today
The lawyers at Cardaro & Peek, LLC have the experience and resources necessary to investigate and litigate all types of medical claims throughout Maryland and Washington D.C. Cardaro & Peek, LLC has medical personnel on staff and has access to nationally recognized, board-certified physicians and other experts, to assist in the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of all types of medical malpractice claims. If you or a loved one have experienced malpractice, give us a call at 410-752-6166. Please visit our website www.cardarolaw.com and follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn for more information.
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