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Connecticut Personal Injury Attorneys Tremont Sheldon PC

Did Hospital Negligence Cause Your Injuries?

What would happen if someone handed a set of car keys to an intoxicated person, or a security guard allowed a known violent criminal into an apartment building, and his or her actions contributed to an injury or death? Many would say those people should be held accountable for their negligence and disregard for the safety of others.

How about when a hospital is inadequately staffed, employees are not properly supervised or employees are not held accountable for their performance? At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we believe that when hospital negligence results in injury or death, the hospital needs to be held accountable. If you or a loved one has suffered harm, you can rely on our Connecticut hospital negligence lawyers to identify your rights and maximize your compensation.

Examples of Hospital Negligence

Hospitals are responsible for everything that goes on in their facilities, and they are held to strict standards by federal and state laws. Common incidents of hospital negligence include:

Not having safety procedures in place
Failure to properly train employees
Failure to conduct background checks on prospective employees
Failure to maintain equipment and the negligent actions of hospital employees

Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries?

There are complex issues involved in hospital negligence, such as determining whether a negligent person meets the qualifications for being an employee of the hospital in question. In most cases, a hospital can be held responsible for the actions of professionals such as nurses, nurse’s aides, physician’s assistants and technicians. Determining whether a doctor is a hospital employee can be more complicated.

Our attorneys can examine the facts of your situation and steer you in the right direction, whether that results in pursuing a malpractice lawsuit against the hospital, a claim against your doctor or both.

We Are Here to Help. Contact Our Firm.

We have dedicated our practice to helping injury victims maximize their recovery for damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. If you or a loved one has been hurt due to negligence at a hospital or medical center, call 203-212-9075 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.

Medical Malpractice Frequently Asked Questions

How can I be assured of good medical care while in the hospital?

When you are in a hospital, demand specific information:

You and a trusted family member should always know the diagnosis and potential procedure.
Question each procedure before it is started.
Before taking medication, ask what it is for and who prescribed it.
Insist that you know the doctor who is in charge of your case overall.
Before going into the operating room, find out who they think you are, as well as what operation they expect to perform and where upon your body.
You and your family members should not be afraid to complain if you feel the patient is having a problem that is being ignored.
Repeat over and over again any allergies or reactions you may have.
If your instincts say something is wrong, demand to see the doctor in charge.
Never hesitate to ask for and obtain a second opinion.

How long does it take to determine whether I have a medical negligence case?

The investigation to determine whether a medical malpractice case exists can take several months and sometimes over a year. This is why it is very important that you consult with an attorney as soon as possible if you feel that you or a family member has been harmed by medical treatment. Before we can decide whether you have a case, we must obtain copies of all your relevant medical records and reports, including at times x-ray and MRI scans. Typically, these records are provided to an out-of-state medical provider in order to determine whether medical rules and standards have been broken. Sometimes we have to consult with doctors in several different medical specialties before we can make a decision on whether we can bring a case for you.

How much time do I have to bring a case against a medical provider, hospital or nursing home for harm caused to me or a family member?

Under the law, you generally have two years from the date of malpractice or from when you knew or should have known of the malpractice in which to bring a claim in a court of proper jurisdiction. The maximum amount of time for bringing a claim under any circumstances is three years from the date of malpractice. In order to determine the specific limitation that may apply in your case, you should consult with a lawyer as soon as possible. You can also request a 90-day automatic extension of time in which to file suit, which must be filed before the applicable limitation has expired.

How to best survive a Connecticut hospital stay?

To reduce problems during a Connecticut hospital stay, demand specific information. Some guidelines are mentioned below:
• You and a trusted family member should always know the diagnosis and potential procedures.
• Question each procedure that someone is to perform before it is started.
• Before taking medication, ask what it is for and who prescribed it.
• Insist that you know the doctor who is in charge of your case overall.
• Before going into the operating room, find out who they think you are, as well as what operation they expect to perform and where upon your body.
• You and your family members should not be afraid to complain if you feel the patient is having a problem that is being ignored.
• Repeat over and over again any allergies or reactions you may have.
• If your instincts say something is wrong, demand to see the doctor in charge.
• Never hesitate to ask for and obtain a second opinion.

If a patient tragically dies as a result of careless medical care and treatment, can a case still be brought?

Yes. In the tragic situation where careless medical care and treatment result in a patient’s death, a lawsuit can be brought by the administrator of the estate of the person who died, whether or not the person had a will.

What is required under the law in order to bring a case against a medical provider, hospital or nursing home for harm caused to me or a family member?

Under the law, in order to file a medical negligence claim against a medical provider, hospital or nursing home, we must obtain the written and signed opinion of a similar health care provider stating that there have been violations of the medical rules or standards in the care and treatment provided to a patient and the statement must also give a detailed basis for the opinions. The statement must be filed with the lawsuit. In addition, the attorney must also attach a certificate of probable cause that there is a good faith belief that grounds exist for a lawsuit.