Lafayette Emergency Room Negligence Lawyers

Emergency Department Negligence & Malpractice in Indiana

When a medical condition or injury requires immediate attention, we have certain expectations regarding the level of care provided in emergency departments. Unfortunately, errors in emergency rooms are alarmingly common in the United States, often resulting in devastating consequences.

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to negligence or errors in an emergency department, our team at Hovde Dassow + Deets is here to help. With over a century of combined experience, our attorneys in Indianapolis specialize in handling these complex cases. We have successfully represented numerous clients in medical malpractice claims involving negligent emergency room staff, substandard emergency treatment, and negligence in urgent care centers. Our track record includes securing over $300 million in compensation for our clients, and we are dedicated to maximizing each client's recovery.

For personalized and aggressive legal representation, please call Hovde Dassow + Deets at (317) 576-3241. Contact us to schedule your free consultation and discuss your case in detail.

What Constitutes Emergency Room Negligence?

Emergency room negligence occurs when a patient receives inadequate medical care in an emergency department, whether it is at a hospital, an urgent care facility, or any other medical institution. Proving substandard care in a medical malpractice case can be challenging, and it becomes even more complex in cases of emergency room negligence.

This is due to the fact that ER personnel and staff are held to a different standard of care compared to other medical providers in less critical situations. To establish a case, it is necessary to demonstrate that the level of care you received was below what you could reasonably expect in another emergency department under the same or similar circumstances.

Examples of emergency room negligence include:

• Misdiagnosis of heart attack, stroke, and other serious medical conditions.
• Delayed diagnosis and/or treatment.
• Failure to diagnose a serious medical condition.
• Triage errors.
• Medication errors, such as incorrect dosage or improper administration.
• Improper or incorrect analysis of laboratory or test results.
• Failure to obtain a patient's medical history when it is possible or appropriate.
• Intubation errors.
• Failure to take necessary measures to prevent infection.
• Surgical errors occurring before, during, or after emergency surgery.
• Failure to admit patients to the hospital when necessary.
• Premature discharge.
• Inadequate or absent follow-up care.

These are just a few examples of emergency room errors that can have significant consequences, leading to severe bodily injuries, life-threatening complications, and even fatalities.

The Emergency Room Standard of Care

All healthcare providers are obligated to adhere to specific standards of care, which represent the minimum level of acceptable treatment that one can reasonably expect from a qualified medical professional in similar circumstances.

Different standards of care apply to various healthcare settings and providers. For instance, emergency departments are recognized as high-pressure and chaotic environments. Emergency room doctors often face the need to make rapid decisions and quick assessments in prioritizing and treating patients. Consequently, they are generally held to less stringent standards of care compared to providers in calmer settings who have more time for conducting tests, diagnosing conditions, and prescribing treatments.

Establishing a case of emergency room negligence typically requires the testimony of expert witnesses. At Hovde Dassow + Deets, our emergency room error attorneys in Indianapolis collaborate with renowned medical experts who provide compelling evidence on behalf of our clients. With our comprehensive understanding of both the legal and medical systems, we skillfully demonstrate instances of substandard treatment leading to injury or death.

Damages for Victims of Emergency Room Negligence

When emergency room doctors fail to provide proper care to patients seeking urgent attention, the consequences can be devastating. For example, a woman who presents symptoms of a heart attack but is misdiagnosed with an anxiety disorder and sent home may experience a life-threatening or fatal cardiovascular event after leaving the hospital. Similarly, a man who visits the ER with a compound fracture and does not promptly receive prophylactic antibiotics may develop a severe infection.

At Hovde Dassow + Deets, we understand the profound impact of emergency room errors on the lives of victims and their families. Consequently, our emergency room negligence lawyers in Indianapolis vigorously advocate for maximizing the recovery of each client. Our objective is to secure the full and fair compensation owed for both economic and non-economic losses.

Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for the following damages:

• Medical expenses associated with your injury or condition resulting from substandard ER care.
• Costs of surgeries, rehabilitation, and other necessary treatments for addressing your injury or condition.
• Medical expenses incurred in treating a loved one's fatal injury or condition.
• Funeral and burial expenses in cases involving wrongful death.
• Physical pain, emotional distress, and suffering.
• Loss or reduction in quality of life and enjoyment of life.
• Lost income, wages, and employment benefits, including pension or retirement funds.
• Loss or reduction in earning capacity due to disabling injuries or medical conditions.

During a free consultation, either in person or over the phone, we can discuss the details of your case and provide personalized information tailored to your situation. We will address which types of damages you may be entitled to and estimate the potential overall value of your case.

Contact Our Firm for a Complimentary Case Evaluation

By choosing Hovde Dassow + Deets, you gain access to highly personalized and attentive support from a legal team that genuinely cares. Our partner attorneys will personally meet with you to discuss your case and remain deeply committed and involved throughout the entire claims process. You will not be handed off to an inexperienced attorney or paralegal unfamiliar with your case type.

We take pride in being recognized as one of Indiana's leading personal injury and medical malpractice law firms. Our attorneys possess extensive trial experience, and we are ranked as one of the top seven Tier 1 law firms in the state for medical malpractice law (plaintiffs) by U.S. News and World Report.

To learn more, please reach out to us today by calling (317) 576-3241 or contacting us online. We are here to assist you.