Jacksonville Medical Equipment Error Lawyers

Every hospital is full of medical professionals committed to delivering quality medical care and it is the duty of the hospital to care for patients under the highest standards of care. Most of the time it works that way. However, there are instances when a patient receives treatment that is not up to an acceptable medical standard exposing the hospital, the doctor, nurse or staff person to liabilities for the injuries or the wrongful death they cause.

The Institute of Medicine reported in 1999, "To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System" that between 44,000 and 98,000 people are killed every year by medical errors in hospitals.

While medical errors and misdiagnosis are ongoing problems, technical errors made up the largest area of failure by a hospital, according to the study. Technical errors were responsible for 44% of medical errors.

Technical errors can be blamed on the human operator and on the malfunctioning of medical equipment. Some errors are due to the limitations of the test itself. Sometimes the machines simply fail. Many patients are seriously injured because of outmoded tests and therapy.

The medical error may involve the re-use of medical equipment meant to be disposed of after use. Recently in the news, a single-use plastic needle was reused by a Nevada doctor until it became "too bloody," all to save money. He says the vendor told him it was okay to reuse medical equipment. While an estimated 100 plus medical devices can be reused, the majority must be disposed of properly.

Medical equipment errors can also occur with infusion pumps, anesthesia and syringe pumps. Batteries can fail as can a defibrillator. An X-ray or radiation delivery device can be miscalibrated and result in patient injury, or an IV can dislodge. The hospital could be liable if equipment was recalled or not properly maintained. Additionally, medical personnel should be familiar with all aspects of maintenance and procedures involving the medical equipment.

When a patient suffers injuries from a medical equipment error, the medical establishment has breached its duty, which allows the patients to claim damages. A medical malpractice lawsuit is filed so that the injured patient or the estate of a decedent can receive some compensation for their financial, emotional and physical damages.

The Farah & Farah law firm understands that for a Florida medical malpractice lawsuit to be successful we must prove the medical professionals had a duty to deliver quality medical care, that that duty was breached, how the failure of medical equipment or personnel or both breached that duty and the damages that resulted.

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries due to malfunctioning medical equipment or other medical errors or malpractice, then you may have a right to recover damages either through a settlement or litigation. Farah & Farah's Jacksonville defective medical device attorneys will become involved as soon as you need us collecting the evidence that will be needed to prove your case. It is important to call us as soon as you feel your injuries, or a loved one's death has occurred as a result of a medical equipment error. Our meeting can be confidential and comprehensive and there is no obligation for a review of your case.