When a nurse fails to administer care when a patient is suffering from a serious complication, the patient’s symptoms may worsen, and the complication may lead to more serious problems, including death in severe cases.
Just like doctors, nurses have a moral and legal obligation to provide patients with a high standard of care. When this standard of care is violated and it leads to injuries, the patient has the right to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice in civil court.
Types of Nurse Neglect
When a patient is suffering from a serious complication, it is a nurse’s obligation to treat that patient appropriately. Sometimes, though, a nurse fails to do so.
Some common types of nurse neglect are listed below.
- Failing to take action to treat a serious complication, such as dangerous heart rate, high blood pressure, bleeding, etc.
- Failing to record pertinent drug and health information, such as allergies or diseases
- Incorrectly recording information on a patient’s chart
- Failing to record drug reactions
- Failing to properly monitor a patient after surgery
- Failing to maintain a sterile environment, leading to infection
- Failing to provide a patient with appropriate nutrients or water, leading to complications
Sometimes, nurses are also neglectful when it comes to simply providing their patient with basic standards of care, even when the patient is not suffering from a serious complication. For example, a nurse could opt not to turn a patient who is too weak to move him/herself and that could lead to bedsores.
Find a Personal Injury Lawyer, Near Me
(855) 529-0269Dangers of Nurse Neglect
Nurse neglect is always detrimental to a patient, but is even more harmful when the patient is suffering from a serious complication. If a nurse fails to take proper action to treat a patient, or neglectfully makes errors on a patient’s chart, then the repercussions can be severe.
For example, a patient who is not properly monitored following anesthesia could have an adverse anesthesia reaction, which could lead to death or long-term complications if not treated immediately. Similarly, a patient could be given an incorrect medication, or a medication that causes allergies resulting in great suffering.
Can nurses be sued for medical malpractice?
Many people wrongly assume that the only medical professionals who can be sued for medical malpractice are doctors. However, all medical professionals may be the focal point of a lawsuit if they have acted negligently, nurses included.
In Florida, you will have to prove that a duty of care existed between the nurse and yourself (which is generally assumed), that a breach of the duty of care occurred (such as a nurse failing to respond to a complication), and that you sustained injuries or harm as a result.
You have two years to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice, starting on the date that the negligence and harm occurred. So get started as soon as possible by contacting a local attorney to review your case.
Click to contact Chalik & Chalik's personal injury lawyers today
A Florida Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help You File a Claim
If you or a loved one has suffered from nurse neglect, and the neglect has caused you harm, contact a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Chalik & Chalik can help you file a claim, prove a breach of duty (i.e., negligence), and hold the nurse who harmed you liable for all of your injuries and related damages.
Because of the statute of limitations, it’s important that you act now. If you’re ready to begin, call us today at 855-529-0269, or just fill out our contact form to set up your free consultation.
Call or text Chalik & Chalik
(855) 529-0269
Rejection of arbitration agreement in medical malpractice case In December of 2016, the Florida Supreme Court issued a rejection of an arbitration agreement in a medical malpractice case regarding a stillborn infant. As reported by News 4 Jax, in their decision, justices stated that an arbitration agreement that was signed by Lualhati Crespo, whose son was stillborn, and the physician group Women’s Care...
Outcome of a South Florida Doctor Failing to Diagnose Preeclampsia Preeclampsia, also known as pregnancy-induced hypertension, affects a little over 5% of pregnancies in this nation. It can cause harm to the expectant mother as well as to the unborn child. Preeclampsia generally shows up around the 20th week of pregnancy and is often identified by protein in the mother’s urine and high blood pressure....
Florida Medical Malpractice Attorney Parents of injured children often struggle with questions such as – Should I hire an attorney to pursue compensation in a medical malpractice claim? The answer depends on the extent and cause of the injury. An attorney can provide legal representation if a parent believes a doctor or hospital’s mistake caused a medical malpractice, such...
The Facts About Preterm Labor Malpractice Full term pregnancy normally lasts 39 to 40 weeks. However, circumstances do exist where babies are born early, doctors call these premature births. Babies can survive outside the womb as early as 24 weeks, but they face many challenges on their way to heading home. While there are many natural reasons for a baby to...
Can I Sue a Plastic Surgeon for Medical Malpractice in Florida? Few experiences can be as distressing as facing complications after a plastic surgery procedure. Such incidents can leave lasting scars, both physical and emotional, and deeply affect the victim or the victim’s family. One of the best ways to navigate these turbulent waters is by securing the guidance of a Florida medical malpractice lawyer. At...
Examining Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Cruise lines generally have medical staff on each ship to ensure all passengers can receive prompt treatment for illness or injuries. However, like doctors and trained care providers on land, cruise ship medical staff can act negligently and commit malpractice. If you or a loved one suffered preventable injuries or harm because of a careless...
How Do I Know if I Have a Medical Malpractice Case? It is more common than you might think for people to be unsure whether they are victims of medical malpractice. The only way you can win a medical malpractice lawsuit is by proving that a medical error was made or medical negligence occurred. Unfortunately, it may not always be clear whether these mistakes occurred. With...
How to File a Dental Malpractice Claim in Florida If you or someone you love suffered an injury during a dental procedure, you might be able to seek compensation—but only if the dental professional was negligent. However, to file a dental malpractice claim in Florida, you must do so before the filing deadline passes and obtain a Certificate of Merit attesting to the substandard...