(845) 802-0047Many individuals believe they can only bring a malpractice claim against their doctor. In fact, all medical professionals have a responsibility to provide competent care to their patients. When a medical professional such as a nurse fails to meet that standard of care, they may have committed malpractice.
If you believe you suffered injury or illness due to a nursing error, contact a Hudson Valley nursing error lawyer as soon as possible. You could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You can rely on the help of an experienced medical malpractice attorney to guide you through this difficult time. Read on to learn more about how a skilled Hudson Valley nursing error lawyer could advocate for you today.
A Nurse’s Standard of Care
Nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system. They administer medications, monitor patients, help make diagnoses, and assist doctors in providing life-saving medical treatment. In fact, nurses usually spend more time with a patient than a doctor. Nurses are responsible for providing adequate, safe care to patients just as doctors do. When a nurse fails to provide the level of care that another competent nurse would provide in similar circumstances, they may have committed medical malpractice.
Common Types of Nursing Errors
Given how much patients rely on medical professionals, it is little wonder that a nursing error can prove harmful or even fatal for a patient. Some common examples of nursing errors could include:
- Failure to monitor a patient
- Neglecting to provide information to attending physician
- Administering the wrong medication or the wrong dosage
- Failure to use sterile equipment
- Documenting errors on a patient’s chart
- Administering incorrect treatment
- Failure to gain informed consent from a patient
- Working too many consecutive hours
- Working while impaired by drugs or alcohol
When a patient suffers from a nursing error, they can file a claim for the damages sustained. A compassionate Hudson Valley nursing error lawyer can help injured patients seek compensation in court. Reach out to a dedicated injury attorney to learn more.
Hospital Failures
Nurses have many demands on their time and usually work in high-stress, fast-paced work environments. These medical professionals usually have to work long shifts, especially those that work in hospitals. However, working several consecutive hours in a high-stress job can not only hurt the nurse but can harm their patients as well. Overly tired nurses are more prone to making mistakes. The longer a nurse works in a single shift, the less likely they are to make competent decisions regarding a patient’s care.
In fact, the New York State Board for Nursing prohibits nurses from voluntarily working more than 16 hours in a single 24-hour period. The Board states that nurses who do so may be considered in willful disregard of patient safety and will be subject to a potential charge of unprofessional conduct. Of course, not every exhausted nurse voluntarily overworks themselves. Hospitals often over-schedule nurses and some even mandate their nurses work overtime. When a hospital imposes such reckless policies, patients are the ones who suffer most. In such cases, an injured patient may be able to file a lawsuit against the hospital based on negligence.
Speak with a Hudson Valley Nursing Error Lawyer Today
To learn whether you may be entitled to compensation for harm suffered while under the care of a nurse, consider contacting a Hudson Valley nursing error lawyer today. Your attorney will pursue your claim with dedication and commitment. A determined Hudson Valley nursing error lawyer strives to hold medical professionals accountable and fights for the compensation each patient deserves. Schedule your initial consultation today to find out how a Hudson Valley nursing error lawyer can help you and your specific case.