When you think of malpractice, it's easy to think of a doctor or other medical professional making a mistake that harms a patient. However, hospitals can also be held liable for errors that occur within their walls. There are many ways in which a hospital can be at fault, from failing to properly screen staff to allowing dangerous conditions to persist.
In general, a hospital can only be held liable if it knew or should have known about the risk and failed to take action. For example, if a hospital failed to properly investigate a doctor with a history of complaints, it could be held liable if that doctor later harmed a patient.
If you have been harmed by medical negligence, it's important to speak to an experienced attorney to determine whether you have a case against the hospital.
How Can a Hospital Be Responsible for Medical Negligence?
There are a number of ways that a hospital can be held responsible for medical negligence. In some cases, the hospital may be found liable for the actions of its employees. For example, if a doctor commits malpractice, the hospital may be held accountable if it failed to properly train or supervise the physician.
Additionally, hospitals may be held liable for their own negligence in cases where they failed to maintain adequate standards of care. For example, if a hospital does not properly clean its facilities, this could lead to the spread of disease and infection. Finally, hospitals may also be held liable for failure to disclose information that could have a bearing on a patient's treatment.
For instance, if a hospital knows that a certain medication may have dangerous side effects but fails to warn the patient, it could be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result. By taking steps to ensure against these potential sources of liability, hospitals can help protect themselves from medical negligence claims.
Working with a Lawyer to Hold a Hospital Liable for Injuries
If you or a loved one has been injured due to hospital negligence, you may be wondering if you have a case. In order to hold a hospital liable for injuries, you will need to prove that the facility acted carelessly, and that this carelessness led to your injuries. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer will be able to help you gather evidence and build a strong case.
At Shevlin Smith, our Fairfax medical malpractice attorneys are here to help you!
Call us at (703) 721-4233 today to discuss your potential case.
