The injury attorneys of Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. represent people in Palm Beach and Broward County who have been injured due to the negligence or unlawful conduct of doctors and other medical professionals.
Neglect in Health Care Facilities
Health care is big business in Florida. Hospitals and clinics are part of a vast industry that employs thousands of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals around the state. They provide medical services to millions of people. Medical professionals bear an enormous amount of responsibility over the health and well-being of their patients, and the public looks to them for guidance on their health. Accidents and mistakes do happen, though, for many different reasons. Distraction, overwork, or understaffing could cause a patient to go overlooked, or a symptom to go unnoticed. Sometimes these errors result in injuries. When that happens, the injured person may have a legal right to compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and more. If you have suffered an injury because of neglect in a Florida health care facility, an injury attorney can help you pursue the responsible parties for damages.
Types of Health Care Facilities
Hospitals and doctor’s offices are just two of many types of facilities that provide medical services to the public:
- Urgent care centers;
- Outpatient surgery centers;
- Community clinics;
- Residential nursing homes;
- Geriatric care nursing homes;
- Assisted living centers, serving the elderly or people with disabilities;
- Specialty clinics;
- Clinical laboratories, such as where blood is drawn for tests; and
- Pharmacies.
Duty of Care
Medical professionals must undergo special education and training in order to become qualified and obtain a license to practice in their field. The Florida Department of Health issues licenses to medical doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, EMTs, paramedics, various medical and pharmacy technicians, and others. Maintaining these licenses requires continuing education and compliance with professional ethics rules. Part of a medical professional’s duty is to provide diligent and competent care to the patient, and to take all reasonable measures to protect the patient’s safety during treatment.
Accidents and errors that injure patients can occur at almost any time during treatment:
- Medication errors, including dispensing the wrong dosage or administering the wrong drug;
- Misreading an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan;
- Misdiagnosing symptoms;
- Failure to notice symptoms indicating complications;
- Neglect of daily needs, such as food and exercise;
- Failure to protect a patient from violence, harassment, or abuse in a residential facility; or
- Failure to maintain the premises of the facility, causing injury to a patient.
Injuries and Liability in Health Care Facilities
Neglect in a health care facility can cause traumatic injuries from falls and other physical accidents. Injuries due to an overdose of medication, or a reaction to an incorrect medication, can also result. A common injury, however, is simply the result of lack of access to adequate food, medication, or hygiene. Medical professionals owe a duty of care to patients. When they fail to fulfill that duty in a way that injures a patient, they could be liable for damages under the legal theory of negligence.
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The Deerfield Beach car accident attorneys at Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. represent people in Palm Beach and Broward County who have been injured in automobile and other vehicle accidents. When you reach out for our legal help, you can rest assured that our skilled attorneys will put their considerable expertise to work on your behalf while affording you the time you need to heal. Contact our firm through our website or at 954-428-9333 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case.
