Nursing Malpractice: Why This Form of Malpractice Is On The Rise

June 8th, 2009 by admin

Nursing malpractice is real and can be very devastating for victims and their families.  It affects thousand of individuals every year.  When a nurse is negligent, the outcome can be very serious, even deadly.  Nurses are held accountable the same way as doctors, lab technicians and other members of the health industry. 

Compensation is owed to victims of nurse malpractice and there are lawyers that are educated and experienced in obtaining the compensation for them.  Physical, financial and emotional damages have been awarded to victims.

Why Nursing Malpractice is Increasing

There are many important staff members in the healthcare facilities and of those are nurses.  The unfortunate part is there is a shortage of registered nurses and many of them are required to work longer hours to fill the lack of.  Working these long hours increase the risk that a nurse will make a mistake.   

Some factors that contribute to nursing malpractice are:

  • Registered nurses work over 12.5 hours repeatedly.  A 2004 study shows nurses working these hours are three times more likely to make a mistake.  Nurses become extremely fatigued.
  • Nurses are hired and they fill in for registered nurses.  Unregistered nurses do not have the proper training to do this.  The results can be upsetting.

Nurses may also be careless and not communicate well at times, which can lead to mistakes.

Types of Nursing Malpractice

Nursing malpractice comes in many different forms:

  • Medication errors – Wrong amount of medication given; medication given to the wrong patient
  • Doctor’s orders are not followed
  • Not responding to patients promptly
  • Not having the proper training

Consequences of Nursing Malpractice

The consequences can be devastating from nursing malpractice.

Some include:

  • Overdose in medication
  • Adverse drug reaction
  • Coma
  • Organ damage
  • Infection
  • Death

Protect Your Legal Rights

Nursing malpractice is unfair but the victim does have rights, legally.  If you think an injury sustained was from a nurse’s negligence speak to a lawyer right away.  These medical lawyers are experienced in these kinds of cases and they will evaluate your case for free.  If they determine that nurse malpractice is the cause of your injury, they can get you compensation for the following:

  • Mental pain and suffering
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages; loss of earning capacity
  • Death of a loved one

These and other damages related to the injury are what your lawyer will fight for.  A medical attorney will advise you of your legal rights and options.  They have your best interest in mind so contact a lawyer as soon as you suspect you were a victim of nursing malpractice.

is the cause of your injury, they can get you compensation for the following:

  • Mental pain and suffering
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages; loss of earning capacity
  • Death of a loved one

These and other damages related to the injury are what your lawyer will fight for.  A medical attorney will advise you of your legal rights and options.  They have your best interest in mind so contact a lawyer as soon as you suspect you were a victim of nursing malpractice.

Tags: nursing malpractice | medical malpractice | medical malpractice | medical attorney | medical attorney | medical mistakes | medical mistakes | medical lawyers | medical lawyers

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