Nursing negligence can have life-changing consequences for patients and their families. When nurses fail to meet the standard of care, patients may suffer preventable injuries, infections, or worsening of their medical conditions.
Identifying the signs that nursing negligence happened can make a critical difference when it comes to pursuing damages. If you or someone you love was harmed due to a nurse’s mistake, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Anidjar & Levine, our Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyers can help you file a claim and hold the nurse accountable.
What Is Nursing Negligence?
Nursing negligence happens when a nurse or nursing staff member provides care that doesn’t meet professional standards, resulting in harm to the patient. Some common examples include:
- Medication errors: A nurse can administer the wrong dosage or medication.
- Failure to monitor patients: A nurse can fail to check vital signs or observe critical symptoms.
- Improper hygiene or wound care: Failure to maintain a patient’s hygiene or clean their wounds can lead to infections or bedsores.
- Neglecting patient needs: Ignoring requests for help or failing to assist patients in basic tasks can qualify as negligence.
- Documentation mistakes: Misreporting patient conditions, treatment, or medications can have serious consequences.
Signs That Nursing Negligence Happened
Warning signs that nursing negligence may have occurred include:
- Unexplained injuries: These include bruises, cuts, or burns that cannot be accounted for by the patient’s condition or routine care.
- Medication mistakes: Patients may experience sudden side effects, incorrect medications, or missed doses that indicate improper administration.
- Delayed treatment: Slow responses to emergencies, postponement of procedures, or delayed medication can signal negligence.
- Infections or pressure ulcers: Conditions like infections or bedsores may develop due to poor hygiene, improper wound care, or failure to reposition the patient.
- Confusion or deterioration of condition: A patient’s health may decline unexpectedly without a clear medical reason.
- Ignored patient concerns: Complaints about pain, discomfort, or changes in condition are sometimes dismissed or overlooked by staff.
- Poor documentation: Missing or inconsistent medical records may indicate negligence in reporting or monitoring the patient’s care.
Where Does Nursing Negligence Occur?
Certain healthcare settings and situations are more prone to nursing negligence due to workload, staffing shortages, or complex patient needs. Those settings include:
- Hospitals: High patient turnover and long shifts increase the likelihood of errors.
- Nursing homes: Residents may depend entirely on staff for daily care, making neglect easier to spot.
- Home healthcare: Patients receiving care at home may experience missed visits or inconsistent treatment.
- Post-surgery care: Patients recovering from operations are especially vulnerable to infections, medication errors, and mobility-related issues.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
When nursing negligence occurs, several parties may be liable depending on the circumstances. Those parties include:
- Individual nurses: A nurse who directly causes harm through action or inaction can be held accountable.
- Nursing supervisors or management: Failure to properly supervise, train, or staff nurses may constitute negligence.
- Healthcare facilities: Hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics may be liable under the principle of vicarious liability if their staff causes harm.
- Agency or staffing services: If the nurse was provided through an external agency, the agency may share responsibility for that nurse’s negligence.
How a Legal Professional Can Help
A lawyer experienced in medical malpractice can help with the following aspects of your nursing negligence case:
- Case evaluation: A lawyer can review records and evidence to assess whether negligence occurred.
- Evidence gathering: An attorney can collect documentation, witness statements, and expert opinions to support your claim.
- Damage calculation: A lawyer can calculate damages like medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages to determine your claim’s true value.
- Court representation: Your attorney can advocate for you during hearings or trials.
Steps to Take if Nursing Negligence Is Suspected
If you believe you or someone you love was harmed due to a nurse’s negligence, take these steps:
- Document everything: Keep detailed notes of all relevant incidents, symptoms, and conversations with staff.
- Seek medical evaluation: Ensure any injuries or complications are addressed immediately.
- Preserve evidence: Keep all medical records, photographs, and correspondence related to your care.
- Consult a lawyer: Contact a medical malpractice attorney to discuss your legal options.
Preventing Nursing Negligence
While patients cannot control every aspect of their care, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of negligence, such as:
- Monitor care closely: Check that medications are administered correctly and that care routines are followed.
- Communicate clearly: Ask questions about treatment plans and express concerns about your care.
- Stay informed: Learn about your condition and expected recovery milestones.
- Report issues immediately: Address problems as soon as they arise to prevent escalation.
Talk to a Medical Malpractice Attorney
Nursing negligence can have devastating consequences. Recognizing the signs, understanding who may be responsible, and taking prompt action are essential to getting justice.
If you or someone you love was the victim of nursing negligence, a medical malpractice lawyer from Anidjar & Levine can help you file a claim and recover the compensation you deserve. Book a free case review to start putting together your case.
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