Who can Be Held Liable for Medical Malpractice?
In many instances, it takes a team of professionals to provide the medical care you need. Achieving a successful outcome to your treatment hinges on every team member doing their job in a competent manner. If any one particular individual on your medical team acts negligently or makes a mistake, it can result in devastating consequences. In these situations, you may be entitled to file a medical malpractice claim to recover compensation for any damages you suffered as a result of this negligence.
Doctors are the primary person responsible for your care and as a result, they are often held liable in medical malpractice cases. However, they are not the only professionals who may be found negligent. Just about any healthcare professional responsible for providing your treatment can be held liable for medical malpractice.
Depending on the unique circumstances surrounding your injury, one or more of the following healthcare professionals may be held liable for medical malpractice:
- Doctors — Doctors can provide negligent treatment in many ways, including failing to accurately diagnose your condition, failing to order the appropriate tests, failing to check and see if you have an allergy to a specific medication before prescribing it, or failing to provide you with the information necessary to make an informed decision about your treatment options.
- Nurses — Nurses are responsible for many of the support tasks associated with medical treatment, especially in hospital environments. Negligent actions by nurses may include failing to properly interpret or carry out a doctor’s instructions, failing to properly monitor a patient, or administering the wrong medication.
- Radiologists — Radiologists are responsible for interpreting the results of diagnostic exams such as x-rays, MRIs, and other medical imaging. When a radiologist misinterprets the results of one of these exams, it may constitute negligence.
- Hospitals — In certain instances, the hospital may be held liable for injuries caused when you receive treatment in their facility. Hospitals can be held directly liable for their own negligence, such as when unsanitary conditions result in an injury. In addition, hospitals can be found vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their staff members.
- Anesthesiologists — When anesthesia is administered improperly, the consequences can be devastating for the patient. In severe cases, administering the wrong dose of anesthesia can be fatal.
- Surgeons — When surgeons act negligently, even the most routine procedures can result in serious injuries. Common examples of surgeon errors include operating on the wrong body part or leaving a surgical instrument inside a patient’s body.
- Pharmacists — If a pharmacist fills a prescription incorrectly, it may constitute negligence. Common examples include providing the wrong dosage of a medication or filling a prescription with the wrong medication.
The attorneys at the Turley Law Firm have been fighting for the rights of medical malpractice victims in the Dallas area for over 40 years. We understand the complex medical principles associated with these cases, and we can help you hold all negligent parties accountable for your injuries.
Please contact the Turley Law Firm using the form on this page or call 214-691-4025 today to schedule your free medical malpractice consultation. We serve clients in the Dallas metropolitan area, including Plano and Richardson, Texas.
