When people think of medical malpractice, doctors are usually the first professionals that come to mind. However, any medical professional – from pharmacy techs to phlebotomists – could potentially be held accountable for negligent or reckless conduct that leads to otherwise preventable patient harm.
Additionally, nurses can also be the focus of a malpractice claim. Negligence by nurses, including preventable errors, can occur in many different settings, from hospitals and clinics to nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. When nurses behave in ways that cause patient harm, it is often a good idea to seek experienced legal guidance in order to get a better sense of whether an affected patient and/or their family has grounds upon which to pursue legal action.
Mistakes made by nurses may be legally actionable
Nurses are responsible for a wide range of tasks, including monitoring patients, administering medications, following doctors’ orders and communicating important changes in a patient’s condition. When these responsibilities are not carried out properly, the consequences can be serious. Common examples of nursing negligence include giving the wrong medication or incorrect dosage, failing to check vital signs, not following up on troubling symptoms and failing to contact a doctor when a patient’s condition worsens. These kinds of mistakes can result in severe injury, prolonged illness or even death.
For a malpractice claim to succeed against a nurse, it must be shown that the nurse owed a duty of care to the patient, that the nurse breached that duty by acting below the accepted professional standard and that the breach directly caused harm. A skilled legal team can explain how these legal standards apply to any particular patient’s circumstances.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities may also potentially be held legally responsible for the actions of their employees. This means that a malpractice claim may potentially be filed against both a nurse and the institution that employs them, especially if poor training, inadequate staffing or systemic issues contributed to the negligence at issue.
Negligent nursing care can be just as devastating as a doctor’s mistake. Patients deserve safe, competent care at every level, and when that standard is not met, the law often provides a pathway to accountability and recovery.