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Hospital Negligence Lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL

Hospital Negligence Lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL

When you need a top hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL can provide, the law offices of Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. is here to help. Our lawyers understand that medical malpractice cases can be very complicated, especially when these incidents occur in a hospital setting. While there is always some amount of risk involved for patients to experience injuries in a hospital, there are certain cases where patients sustain undue harm to the negligence of hospital staff.

As an experienced hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL has to offer might attest, some people do not realize just how common this problem is. One study conducted by the Institute of Medicine discovered that around 98,000 individuals die each year because of preventable mistakes in hospitals — although some researchers estimate that the actual number could be much higher. According to other national statistics, it’s estimated that anywhere between 210,000 and 440,000 patients every year experience nonfatal injuries in hospitals because of mistakes that could have been prevented.

Despite the prevalence of these accidents, it’s not always easy for injured victims to collect compensation. As a seasoned hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL trusts might explain, there are a few elements that the injured claimant must prove:

  • A duty for the doctor/nurse to care for the patient. In a hospital setting, a nurse or doctor has some amount of responsibility to provide care to patients
  • A certain medical standard of care was not provided. Each state typically sets its own policies that define what it considers to be a reasonable “standard of care” in a hospital.
  • The patient sustained injuries. If a doctor/nurse is negligent but the patient does not sustain any physical or emotional damages because of this negligence, then it is less justifiable to sue for financial damages.
  • These injuries were directly caused by the negligence. The patient must be able to prove that his/her injuries would not have occurred if the negligent act had not happened.

While it may be simple to prove one or two of these elements, it might be necessary to receive counsel from a trusted hospital negligence lawyer in Fort Lauderdale FL in order to prove all four elements successfully.

Hospital Negligence Infographic

4 Elements That The Injured Claimant Must Prove InfographicTable Of Contents:

How a Hospital Negligence Lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL Patients Depend On May Help

When you or a loved one has been admitted into an inpatient or outpatient hospital for treatment, you are putting your trust into the hands of another person. Oftentimes, you have very little say in the method of treatment or individuals who will administer it. You might expect the doctors and other staff to be well trained, emotionally balanced, and able to perform at a standard level of competence. You may also expect the facility to be well managed, maintained, and hygienic. When any of these factors fail to live up to patients’ rightful expectations, injuries can occur. If this happens, you should see what a hospital negligence lawyer in Fort Lauderdale FL has to say.

Although you may feel hopeless, afraid, or confused, you can take action to get the justice you deserve. Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. provides a hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL families trust for results. As a law firm with decades of experience, we are ready to listen to your story.

Common Types of Hospital Negligence

Hospital negligence is usually considered to be included in the legal scope of medical malpractice. These cases can be rife in complexities and they require due diligence to ensure everything in a claim is accounted for. Rather than choosing a general practice lawyer, you should look for a hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL patients turn to when they need help. A lawyer may assess your medical records and injuries, as well as any other available evidence. By doing so, he or she may be able to identify those responsible. Examples of potential hospital negligence lawsuits include:

  • Delayed or improper administration of medication
  • Budget cuts in relation to pressure from HMOs that could lead to a decrease in adequate standards of care
  • Discharge from the hospital before it’s safe for the patient to return home
  • Improper use of a medical device
  • Misdiagnosis of a serious medical condition
  • Unnecessary or unauthorized treatments
  • Improper hygiene practices which leads to infection or illness
  • Nursing home negligence
  • Negligence during or after pregnancy and childbirth
  • Emergency room errors
  • + More

A hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL provides may also identify possible conditions that led up to the injury. These may include:

  • Careless doctors, nurses or other hospital staff
  • Failure to follow procedures or rules
  • Insufficient supervision or lack of staff
  • Lack of training
  • Poor communication

Unfortunately, some types of hospital negligence result in the death of the patient. This may also be included in a legal claim, and a hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL depends on may file a wrongful death suit for the loved ones of the deceased. Although it cannot bring a loved one back, it can offer financial security to families, enabling them to focus on their recovery and wellbeing. Regardless of the extent of the injuries, a Fort Lauderdale hospital negligence lawyer,  such as one from Needle & Ellenberg, P.A., may listen to what you have to say and provide you with your legal options.

Fort Lauderdale Hospital Negligence Statistics

According to Hopkins Medicine via Forbes Advisor, medical errors cause 251,000 deaths each year. Medical errors account for 9.5 percent of all deaths in the U.S. each year, making medical malpractice a leading cause of death. Medical malpractice is the third most common cause of death in the United States.

If you’ve suffered an injury due to hospital negligence, contact a medical malpractice lawyer to discuss what your legal options are. Florida law allows malpractice victims to pursue damages for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, disability, and more.

Hospital Negligence FAQs

Medical malpractice and hospital negligence can be very confusing. If you have been a victim of negligence or fault at the hands of a medical professional, you may be able to file a claim with a hospital negligence lawyer in Fort Lauderdale FL and get compensation you deserve to help deal with your injuries.

You may not know where to start when it comes to filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Here we answer some commonly asked questions, in hopes to bring clarity to you and your situation.

What exactly is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice encompasses any breach of standard of care that has been performed on a patient, as a  Fort Lauderdale, FL hospital negligence lawyer can explain. Standard of care is defined as requiring medical professionals to use the same knowledge, responsibility, and treatment options as any other person in the industry would when treating a patient. When cared for, every patient expects this standard of care, and if it has been breached, then you may have a medical malpractice suit on your hands.

Who Can I Bring a Medical Malpractice Claim Against?

Doctors, nurses, and even hospitals can all be charged in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The hospital can only be charged if the doctor or nurse who administered care is registered as an employee of the hospital, which is not always the case. Sometimes, doctors who provide care at a hospital are simply independent contractors and are not employed directly by the institution itself.

What Are Some Examples of Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is an umbrella term, and there are a lot of examples that can be considered as so. Some common example include;

    • Errors in prescribing; such as knowingly prescribing expired medicine
    • Misdiagnosis
    • Wrongful death due to the gross negligence of a medical care professional
    • Failure to diagnose or treat a condition
    • Knowingly using recalled medical equipment
  • Delayed treatment of a condition

What Has to Be Proven When Filing a Claim?

As a hospital negligence lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL can explain, you have to successfully prove three things when filing a medical malpractice claim; the doctor, nurse, or hospital breached the standard of care that is required, the victim (you) was injured, and the injury was a direct result of the negligence.

What if I am Unhappy With My Results?

A bad result is not a viable reason to claim medical malpractice. When a patient undergoes treatment of any kind, they undertake the risk that they may not like the end result. This is usually agreed upon on a waiver. However, signing this waiver does not mean you consent to treatment that is not the typical standard of care provided by medical professionals.

What Should I Do If I Believe I Have Been the Victim of Medical Malpractice?

It is crucial to speak to an experienced hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale in FL as soon as you can. Working with a lawyer will help determine if you have a case on your hands, and where you can go from there. However, it is important to know that if you still require medical treatment that has stemmed from your injury, do not hesitate to get to a doctor right away! Your health is more important than anything else, so do not wait until you start a claim to get medical attention if need be.

Time is everything when it comes to filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Our Fort Lauderdale, FL hospital negligence lawyers are here to help protect your rights, so feel free to call us for a consultation on your specific situation today.

Talk With a Skilled Hospital Negligence Lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL Has To Offer

If you or someone you love has been injured in a hospital because of a mistake made by a staff member, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation. Working with a skilled Fort Lauderdale FL hospital negligence lawyer may be beneficial for understanding the various options available. Even though hospital negligence occurs fairly often today, it’s not always a simple process to prove that this negligence justifies a financial settlement — but depending on your circumstances, it could be possible.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

As a hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL clients recommend can explain, all healthcare professionals owe a standard of care to their patients. Most fulfill their duty of care, but sometimes, someone fails and a patient suffers an injury.

Below is a general account of medical malpractice and how to proceed legally if it happens to you. If you believe you or someone you care about have suffered injuries due to a medical professional’s negligence, contact a Fort Lauderdale, FL hospital negligence lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation for damages.

Defining Medical Malpractice

A medical malpractice case has a few components necessary to prove that the medical professional acted negligently. If you believe this has happened to you or a loved one, your hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL families depend on will have to provide proof of negligence on the part of the medical provider. For a successful outcome, you must prove these three aspects:

1. The provider breached the standard of care due to the patient.

The law of the medical provider’s practicing state sets a standard of care for all medical professionals. If that standard isn’t met and a patient is injured, then the standard has been breached by the provider.

2. The patient suffered an injury as a direct result of the provider’s negligence.

The burden of proof lies on the patient and their hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL residents depend on. They must be able to prove that the patient suffered injuries and they were indeed the result of a breach of care by a medical professional. Sometimes it will be argued that the injuries were pre-existing and that the provider should not be held liable.

3. If you prove your injuries and damages, they must be significant.

Injuries sustained must have resulted in disability or expensive and/or long term medical bills and treatment. Usually if you are unable to work due to the injury, that will also count.

Compensation For Damages

Compensation for damages and injuries depend mostly on the particular details of the case and how serious the injuries are. Often, an award will include damages for:

  • Lost wages
  • Doctor fees
  • Hospital costs
  • Pain and suffering

Fort Lauderdale Hospital Negligence Glossary

At Needle & Ellenberg, P.A., we are committed to supporting individuals and families impacted by brain injuries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Brain injuries often result from negligent actions and can lead to significant, long-term consequences. This glossary explains key terms related to brain injury cases to help you better understand the legal process and your rights.

Hospital Negligence

Hospital negligence occurs when a healthcare facility or its staff fails to deliver care that meets accepted medical standards, resulting in harm to the patient. Examples include improper medical device use, unsanitary conditions, delayed treatment, or premature discharge of a patient. For instance, if a Fort Lauderdale hospital releases a brain injury patient without conducting necessary tests, leading to worsened symptoms, the hospital may be held liable. These situations highlight the importance of holding healthcare providers accountable when they fail to prioritize patient safety.

Standard Of Care

The standard of care refers to the expected level of treatment and attention a reasonably competent healthcare provider or facility would provide under similar circumstances. If a Fort Lauderdale hospital does not follow established protocols—such as monitoring a patient with signs of a traumatic brain injury—it may constitute a breach of the standard of care. Establishing whether this standard was upheld is a critical part of brain injury cases and often involves expert testimony.

Vicarious Liability

Vicarious liability is a legal principle that holds employers, such as hospitals, accountable for the actions of their employees when those actions occur within the scope of employment. If a Fort Lauderdale nurse improperly administers medication that exacerbates a brain injury, the hospital could be held liable for the resulting harm. This concept underscores the responsibility of hospitals to supervise and train their staff adequately.

Informed Consent

Informed consent is a legal requirement that obligates healthcare providers to disclose all risks, benefits, and alternatives of a medical procedure or treatment before proceeding. If a Fort Lauderdale hospital fails to properly inform a patient about the potential risks of surgery and the patient suffers preventable brain damage, the lack of informed consent could form the basis for a negligence claim. This term emphasizes the patient’s right to make informed decisions about their medical care.

Causation

Causation is the process of establishing a direct connection between a healthcare provider’s negligence and the patient’s injury. For example, if a Fort Lauderdale hospital neglects to monitor a patient showing symptoms of a brain bleed and the condition worsens, the patient must prove that this oversight directly caused their harm. Evidence such as medical records, professional evaluations, and eyewitness accounts often play a pivotal role in proving causation in brain injury cases.

Brain injuries can have life-altering impacts, but you don’t have to face these challenges alone. At Needle & Ellenberg, P.A., we are dedicated to helping clients in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, seek justice and secure the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you.

Let A Hospital Negligence Lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL Victims Turn To Help

Suffering from injuries sustained by a trusted medical professional can be a harrowing experience to say the least. Be sure to contact a hospital negligence lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL for a consultation about your unique case. They can advise you on the next steps to take in pursuing compensation and will provide you with the proper assistance in gathering evidence and speaking on your behalf in court.

Contact our office today if you would like to discuss your case with a hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL provides.

At Needle & Ellenberg, P.A., we believe that the best way to provide exemplary legal counsel to our clients is to discuss the details of each person’s case before making any predictions or promises. For more information about our law firm, or to schedule a free case evaluation with a top hospital negligence lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL residents trust, call us today.