When problems arise because of events that take place at the hospital, there are often multiple parties involved. Doctors, nurses and other health care professionals involved with patient care may all, to some degree, be at fault. Most nurses and technicians are employees of the hospital, which is responsible for their actions. Most doctors, however, are "independent contractors," and the hospital is not liable for their negligence.
An experienced San Diego hospital negligence attorney can identify the parties responsible for a patient's injuries. Mr. Kastner has over 35 years experience representing patients in cases against doctors, hospitals and other health care professionals. He has also defended doctors and is thoroughly familiar with what it takes to be successful in cases against them.
Surgical Errors
Surgery is inherently dangerous. When the results of surgery are not what the patient expected, it can often be difficult to know whether the injuries were caused by a surgeon's negligence or because of a complication or risk inherent with the procedure. Surgical errors often involve the following:
- Damage to adjacent organs
- Clamps, sponges or surgical materials left in the body
- Operating on the wrong body part
- Anesthesia errors
- Nerve damage
- Internal injuries
- Excessive bleeding
- Improper patient positioning
- Inadequate monitoring
- Post-surgical infections
- Lack of informed consent
Prescription Medication Errors
Medication errors are probably the most common type of medical mistake — at least in the hospital setting. Far too many patients receive a wrong medication or an incorrect dose. Thankfully, most do not suffer any significant or lasting injuries. Some, in fact, remain unaware of the mistake. Although it can be unnerving to learn that a pharmacist, physician, or nurse acted negligently, that does not always mean that filing a lawsuit is the most appropriate course of action. Generally, legal action is advisable only where the negligence has significantly compromised the patient's health.
San Diego Hospital Negligence Lawyer
An experienced attorney can review patient records and help determine if the care provided was below acceptable standards. If you are interested in learning more about hospital negligence or wrongful death, contact us online or for a free consultation or call 619-232-8822.