The stress, urgency, and chaos of emergency rooms make them high-risk locations for medical errors, but no matter how busy an emergency department gets, the doctors and healthcare staff must provide appropriate care to the patients. When emergency room errors occur, the potential for life-threatening complications is high.
A Connecticut emergency room error lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, has extensive experience fighting for people injured by medical negligence in hospital emergency departments.
Well over 100 million people visit emergency rooms each year in the United States, and a high volume of patients in an environment with such high stakes sometimes leads to catastrophic errors. Missed diagnoses are especially common emergency room errors, but there are many types of mistakes that could lead to serious injury for patients, including:
Emergency room staff are trained to prioritize treatment for patients according to the severity and urgency of their symptoms. When doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers in emergency departments make mistakes that lead to further injury for patients, they could face legal liability for the harm they caused. If you or a loved one has been injured due to an emergency room error, a Connecticut ER mistake attorney can help you understand your legal options.
Connecticut uses a system known as modified comparative negligence, which means that injured patients may also be found partially responsible for emergency room errors. This can happen in a number of ways, including:
An injured patient can still recover financial damages even if they are partially at fault, but their percentage of liability cannot exceed 50 percent. Your percentage of fault will be subtracted from any compensation you are awarded.
If your percentage of fault is 50 percent or less, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages, which include:
Punitive damages may also be awarded in Connecticut emergency room error cases, but only in limited scenarios. If a doctor or other healthcare provider acts with wanton disregard for a patient’s safety or willfully violates their rights, punitive damages could be awarded.
Building a strong case is crucial in medical malpractice cases. The attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, have the experience and legal acumen needed to enforce your rights and advocate for your financial recovery.
We will ensure every requirement is met, including acquiring the necessary medical opinion statements and keeping track of the statute of limitations deadlines. In Connecticut, before a medical malpractice case may be filed, an opinion from a similarly trained doctor must be obtained attesting to the negligence, and any claim generally must be filed within two years but not more than three years from the date of injury. In claims involving wrongful death, any claim must be filed within two years from the date of death but not more than five years from the negligent care.
Let us handle your settlement and litigation needs so you can focus on your physical and emotional health. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Connecticut emergency room error lawyer.
