Who Can Be Sued for Medical Malpractice?
by Fusion 360 Studios Digital Marketing SpecialistsMedical Malpractice can lead to serious injury and even wrongful death. Many people in Utah and across the nation don’t know who necessarily should be sued in a personal injury claim. Legally, medical malpractice isn’t limited to just the doctor, but it also applies to anesthesiologists, health care facilities, pharmaceutical companies and other health care service providers. Here’s a look at the three most commonly-sued entities and people in Utah.
Hospitals
A hospital is staffed by licensed physicians and other certified personnel such as nurses and phlebotomists. Hospital employers have the duty to investigate their prospective employees’ education, training and licensing when making critical patient decisions. When a hospital employer fails to investigate these things, they can be held liable under corporate negligence.
Hospitals are also required to maintain an adequate amount of staff on-hand to ensure quality care to the hundreds of patients they admit every day. If a nursing shortage results in injury to patients or wrongful death, then the hospital can once again be held liable.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Drug manufacturers are seldom held responsible for injury that occurs when someone consumes their products. Usually, they take sufficient steps to protect themselves by detailing possible risks associated with their drugs. In the rare case that they do not communicate all the possible risks to users, they can be held liable as well. Although most people don’t actually sue these companies, pharmaceutical lawsuits are among the most common in Utah and throughout in the nation.
Doctors
Most doctors conduct their work in a private practice or at a hospital. In either of these settings, they are required to accurately explain possible consequences before prescribing any medication. If a doctor withholds information, they can easily be held liable for failing to disclose certain risks that an injured patient could have avoided.
These are the three most commonly sued groups in Utah for medical malpractice and wrongful death. If anyone needs advice, personal injury lawyers are ready and able to help those who have suffered from medical malpractice.
Nate Myers is a legal writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry.
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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.