Jacksonville Emergency Room Error Attorneys

Helping You After a Negligent ER Diagnosis or Treatment

Each year, millions of Americans visit emergency rooms when they are injured or sick. These facilities are designed to provide quick, efficient, and effective treatment, and the medical professionals who work in ERs are supposed to be highly trained and experienced. Unfortunately, not all ERs are created equal, and not all medical professionals are as competent as they should be. When errors happen in the ER, the consequences can be devastating.

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we understand just how much a negligent ER diagnosis or treatment can impact your life and the lives of your family members. We are here to help you fight for justice and the maximum recovery you are owed.

Call (904) 295-1050 or online to request a consultation. Our emergency room negligence lawyers in Jacksonville are available to take your call.

Common Types of Emergency Room Errors

Emergency rooms are fast-paced and often chaotic environments. Medical professionals in these facilities are often overworked, stressed, and fatigued. While these factors do not excuse careless or reckless behavior, they can help explain why errors may occur. Unfortunately, when ER errors do happen, the results are often catastrophic.

The most common types of emergency room errors include:

• Diagnostic errors: Misdiagnosing a patient, failing to diagnose a patient, or delaying a diagnosis is one of the most common types of ER errors. When a patient is misdiagnosed, they may be given the wrong treatment or no treatment at all. As a result, their condition may worsen, and they may suffer serious harm.
• Medication errors: Medication errors can occur when a doctor prescribes the wrong medication, the wrong dose of medication, or when a pharmacist or nurse administers the medication incorrectly. Medication errors can result in serious complications, including allergic reactions, overdose, and death.
• Treatment errors: Treatment errors can occur in a variety of ways. Examples include failing to properly treat a patient's condition, failing to stabilize a patient, failing to order necessary tests, failing to perform necessary procedures, and more.
• Surgical errors: When a patient requires emergency surgery, the surgeon and the rest of the surgical team must act quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, even a minor mistake in the OR can have serious, life-altering consequences. Examples of surgical errors that may occur in the ER include operating on the wrong body part, leaving a foreign object inside a patient, and more.

Who is Liable for ER Errors?

Liability for emergency room errors can be quite complex, as many different parties may be involved in the care of a patient. This is why it is so important to work with an experienced attorney who can help you determine who is liable for your damages.

Depending on the specifics of your case, the following parties may be liable for your damages:

• The ER doctor: If the doctor who treated you in the ER was negligent in his or her diagnosis or treatment, you may have a claim against him or her.
• The ER nurse: Nurses are often the first medical professionals to see patients in the ER. If the nurse who treated you failed to properly assess your condition or made an error in your care, he or she may be liable for your damages.
• The surgeon: If you underwent emergency surgery and the surgeon made an error, you may be able to file a claim against him or her.
• The hospital: In many cases, the hospital that employs the doctor, nurse, or surgeon who treated you is liable for your damages. This is particularly true if the negligent medical professional was an employee of the hospital.
• A third-party contractor: In some cases, the ER doctor, nurse, or surgeon may be an independent contractor. If this is the case, you may have a claim against the third-party contractor.
• An equipment manufacturer: If a defective piece of medical equipment caused or contributed to your injuries, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer.

How Our Firm Can Help You

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we understand the unique challenges that come with emergency room error claims. We know that these cases can be complex, and we know how to investigate them and build strong cases on behalf of our clients. Our firm is known for our aggressive approach to litigation, and we are not afraid to go up against large hospitals, insurance companies, and their teams of lawyers.

If you or someone you love was injured due to an emergency room error, let our firm fight for you. Call (904) 295-1050 or online today to get started with a free consultation.