Hospital Errors Attorney
Were You or Someone You Love the Victim of a Hospital Error? Request a Free Consultation
The Utah firm of Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC is determined to fight back against hospital errors and medical negligence.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of hospital negligence, please contact our injury law office in Salt Lake City, UT, today to schedule a free consultation. You can reach us at:
(801) 335-6467
Quality and Compassionate Representation Achieves 5-Star Results
Younker Hyde Macfarlane, I can't say enough good things about this firm. Me and my 2 brothers lost our mother, due to the negligence of other people and would give anything to have her back... It has been several years now and we finally finished our journey with them and I could not be more happy with the choice we made to use this law firm. They have continually encourage us, believed in us and made us actually feel cared for and protected. They kept us informed on every little thing they did and every decision that was made. This law firm was not about the money they were going to make off of us, but the concern they had for the death of our mother. Shelly Christenson
Understanding Hospital Medical Errors
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A medical error is a preventable mistake by your healthcare provider that can lead to adverse effects. While medical errors can occur anywhere you receive treatment, mistakes that occur in operating rooms, intensive care units, and other hospital settings are often more likely to lead to severe consequences.
Common Types of Hospital Errors
Medical errors generally fall into two categories: errors of omission (the result of actions not taken) and errors of commission (the result of the wrong actions taken). These can take on numerous different forms in a hospital setting, such as:
Medication Errors
A medication error is a mistake in the dispensing, prescribing, or preparing of medications. These errors often occur at a hospital when a nurse or other health care professional makes a mistake in handling and administering medication. It can result in a patient being given the wrong medication, an improper dosage, or a drug that leads to adverse effects.
Surgical Errors
While any surgery inherently involves risk, those risks should not include incompetence or negligence on the part of medical professionals. Poor communication, improper work process, fatigue, and drug use all lead to avoidable mistakes during surgery. Types of surgical errors are wide-ranging and can include nerve damage, operating on the wrong body part, and leaving surgical equipment inside a patient.
Errors in Diagnosis
Diagnostic errors refer to the failure to accurately diagnose a patient in a timely fashion and/or failure to communicate that diagnosis with a patient. Some examples include missing diagnoses by not ordering the proper tests, treating a patient for the wrong condition, or delaying a diagnosis causing disease to progress. According to a Harvard study, diagnostic errors make up approximately 17% of all hospital errors, leading to thousands of deaths every year.
Delay in Treatment
Delay in treatment often overlaps with diagnostic errors. A delay in treatment medical error occurs when a medical professional fails to recognize a condition within a reasonable time frame, resulting in harm to a patient. For example, a delay in treatment for a cancer patient can be the difference between life and death. Treatment delays can also lead to serious birth injuries. Prolonged labor puts a child at higher risk and can lead to irreparable damage.
Hospital-Acquired Infections
A hospital-acquired infection is an infection you received while getting care at a hospital or other health care facility. These can include urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, pneumonia, and more. Medical professionals have the responsibility of limiting infections in hospitals where there is a higher risk of bacterial, fungal, and viral spread. Nevertheless, hospital-acquired infections affect an estimated 1.7 million patients a year, leading to a wide range of consequences.
Administrative Errors
Hospital administrators are responsible for managing operations of the health care facility to ensure patient safety. In some cases, errors in hospital administration can cause significant harm to patients and constitute medical malpractice. For instance, lack of employee screening, inadequate training, staffing mismanagement, insufficient safety standards, and lack of security can all be grounds for a medical malpractice case.
Equipment Failures
While medical technology has come a long way, hospital tools and equipment can still malfunction, leading to patient injury. Equipment failure may occur when a product does not meet certain safety and quality standards. In other cases, hospital equipment failure is caused by improper handling by medical professionals or incorrect maintenance by staff.
Mistaken Patient Identity
Mistaken patient identity is a serious issue that can lead to all kinds of consequences. Most cases of mistaken identity at the hospital happen during the intake and registration process. When a patient is misidentified they can be given the wrong medication, wrong diagnosis, or even undergo the wrong treatment. This can not only result in serious physical harm but may lead to other financial damages due to errors in billing.
Is Your Injury the Result of a Hospital Error? Contact our Utah Law Firm
With the high volume of patients, taxing work hours, and chaotic atmosphere, a hospital is often a prime setting for medical errors. Unfortunately, these mistakes can lead to tragic life-altering injuries and even death.
Our personal injury attorneys have dedicated their careers to helping victims like you recover damages after a life-altering incident. Our Utah firm works tirelessly on medical malpractice cases, helping clients with complex situations that other attorneys will not take on. Our track record includes numerous successful cases and millions in compensation for our clients. We are dedicated to our work and will fight for justice for you and your family.
Contact our Salt Lake City law firm to request your free consultation.
(801) 335-6467
We Are Here to Help Our Clients Get Justice Because Nobody Should Have to Go Through This Alone
This is the first time I have found it necessary to use a law firm... When I took my wife’s wrongful death evidence, they were completely honest snd forthcoming, keeping me involved the complete time. It took 3 years, but they did an excellent job and basically did everything they said they would do. Their follow through and follow up has been the best. Thank you for your help through one of the toughest things I have ever gone through Tom Henderson
Medical Errors Are a Serious Problem in the U.S.
Hospital Errors vs. Medical Malpractice
Not all hospital errors constitute medical malpractice. In order to be considered medical malpractice, we need to prove the following circumstances apply to your case:
Duty of Care
A medical malpractice claim must establish a doctor-patient relationship to show that the individual is owed a duty of care.
Failure to Meet Standard of Care
Every patient has the right to expect medical treatment consistent with the standards of the healthcare profession at large. If this standard is not met, then we can prove medical negligence.
Injury Was Caused by Negligence
It is not enough that a negligent act was committed. To have a valid medical malpractice claim, you must prove that an injury was a direct result of negligence.
Injury Resulted in Damages
Finally, your medical malpractice attorney must show the financial and non-financial losses incurred as a result of the injury.
If I File a Claim, Will Doctors Still Treat Me?
You will most likely need even more medical care after you've suffered a personal injury due to a surgical error, hospital negligence, or any other mistake made by your medical professional. Some clients worry their doctor will no longer want to treat them once they file a medical malpractice claim.
We understand your concern. However, filing a medical malpractice claim will not affect your current care or any medical care you may need in the future. Our attorneys are here to ensure you get the money you deserve and the treatment you need.
Are You Ready to Seek Justice? Speak to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
If you are looking to speak to a medical malpractice lawyer about your legal options, you have come to the right place. Our team has experience in many practice areas, including birth injury, diagnostic failures, and wrongful death. We work hard and have earned our reputation as one of the leading medical malpractice firms not just in Salt Lake City, but in all of Utah.
Get started by requesting a free consultation with our team today.
(801) 335-6467
Our Communication Creates 5-Star Experiences Clients Are Never Left in the Dark About Their Cases
Laura Gray
2021
My year old son was injured at daycare and there was an incident at the hospital where he received care as well. It was tough but once I contacted Younker Hyde Macfarlane, they all worked together to make this an easy process. What a relief! They were all great at responding back to my emails, phone calls, and answered any questions I had with complete transparency.
View on GoogleGreg Furness
2021
The firm was a pleasure to work with, very professional, responsive and really helped us through the process. This was a first time experience for us and they really set us at easy through entire process and help us reach an agreeable settlement. We would highly recommend Yonker Hyde Macfarlane. PLLC.
View on GoogleWhat You Can Do to Help Your Case
We understand it may be difficult to know where to turn and what to do after you've suffered a severe injury or the wrongful death of a loved one. Our Utah law firm is here to help you take the necessary steps to build a strong case.
You should take the following steps after suffering an injury caused by a hospital error.
Protect your evidence by backing everything up on an external hard drive or making print copies to store in a safe place.
Determining Who Is at Fault
The team at Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC takes a thorough investigative approach to all our medical malpractice cases. We work with an extensive network of medical professionals and industry specialists, both in Utah and nationwide, to build evidence in your case and prove that medical negligence occurred.
Medical Staff
The careless actions of doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other hospital staff can lead to medical injury and even wrongful death. Failure to act or performing an unnecessary action can have grave consequences.
Administrative Errors
Doctors and surgeons are not always to blame for hospital negligence. Some mishaps occur because of administrative errors or deficiencies in training and hospital policies.
It is your medical malpractice attorney's job to determine what parties are liable for the mistake that lead to your injury.
Statute of Limitations in Utah
The medical malpractice statute of limitations is two years in the state of Utah. Individuals must file a personal injury suit no more than two years from the date the injury was or should have been discovered. However, it can vary depending on the type of injury and when the injury occurred.
Immediate Injury
If your injury is immediately apparent, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim.
Wrongful Death
Similar to immediate injury, a wrongful death suit must be filed within two years of the date of death.
Delayed Injury
In cases where the injury takes time to be discovered, there is a maximum limit of four years from the date the injury occurred.
Since time to file is limited, it is always best to speak to an attorney about your claim as soon as possible.
Our Clients Consistently Recommend Our Law Office We Fight For Our Clients To Achieve the Best Results
Younker-Hyde-McFarlane are the best there is! My wife needed a lower back spinal fusion that should have been relatively straightforward. She was seriously injured by a careless doctor incorrectly performing a non-traditional back surgery that she did not have the skill to perform. It left her with a paralyzed right leg and a drastic impact on the quality of our lives. We contacted Younker-Hyde-McFarlane to represent us in a medical malpractice suit. OMG, these guys are so impressive! They uncovered things about the surgery that we had no idea had happened. Their skills in arguing our case to an arbitration panel were extraordinary. We very highly recommend this fantastic team of legal experts!! Dave
The Types of Damages We Can Help You Recover
It can be difficult to imagine financial freedom after suffering a life-changing injury. The mounting medical bills and added stress can feel overwhelming. The attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC are here to help. We want to help you recover these damages so you and your family can work to get your lives back.
You can recover two types of damages in a medical malpractice case: monetary and general.
Monetary Damages
Monetary, or economic, damages refers to the money you have spent or lost due to this hospital error. Monetary damages can cover treatment costs, hospital bills, therapy, and any other service you need for the treatment of your injury. Monetary damages also cover lost wages from having to take time off work due to your injury.
General Damages
General damages covers the emotional cost caused by the injury or death. General damages can include compensation for pain and suffering, loss of a loved one, and other mental stress. While money cannot heal all emotional scars, it can help you find resources and treatment to help you overcome this event and get your life back.
Calling Us Is Risk-Free
Our Utah attorneys offer free consultations to every client. Even if we decide not to take your case, you will owe us nothing for the case review. Our attorneys will even go the extra mile to help explain the issues and offer any advice they can about who could help you.
Our attorneys also work on contingency, which means we don't make any money unless you do. Our attorneys work hard for our clients to secure maximum compensation; they have a record of success. If for some reason the case does not go in your favor, you owe us nothing.
Hear From a Reviewer Who Recommends Our Firm Even Though We Could Not Take Their Case
Super unfortunate these folks were unable to help me!... However these folks were great about the whole thing and answered all my questions I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a malpractice attorney. I sure hope I never have to hire a malpractice attorney but if I do these folks will be my first call! Kevin
