From checking on patients in hospitals to treating sick individuals in private clinics, nurses play a vital role in the daily operations of every healthcare facility. Nurses are undoubtedly important, but that does not mean they are always perfectly responsible on the job. Malpractice by nurses is more common than you might think in Connecticut and throughout the United States.
If you have suffered serious physical harm because of a nurse’s misconduct, consider reaching out to a Connecticut nursing malpractice lawyer to discuss your legal options. These civil claims can be time-consuming and legally complex. Let our skilled medical malpractice attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna help you seek out the compensation you deserve.
Like all licensed medical professionals, nurses have a “standard of care” they must meet with every person they form a doctor-patient relationship with. In a nutshell, the “standard” for a nurse is what another equally qualified and experienced nurse would have done under the same circumstances. This means nurses are not automatically liable for damages any time they make a mistake, even if it leads to a poor outcome for a patient.
However, if a nurse acts recklessly in a way another nurse with the same skills and experience would not have, they may be considered to have “breached” their duty of care. For example, failing to monitor a patient’s condition closely, not keeping a chart accurate and up-to-date, performing a medical procedure incorrectly, or giving a patient the wrong type or dose of medication can all be considered negligent. A Connecticut nursing malpractice attorney can help determine whether a particular situation constitutes negligence.
Both economic and non-economic harm from a nurse’s negligent treatment of a patient can be factored into a malpractice lawsuit or settlement demand, including:
Fortunately, the state of Connecticut does not set artificial “caps” for the amount of money a person injured through negligence may demand for losses they have suffered or will suffer due to that malpractice. Because of this, it is possible to seek restitution for the total value of past and future losses. That said, identifying and assigning a fair value to long-term damages can be complicated, and representation from a seasoned nursing malpractice lawyer in Connecticut is vital to getting paid justly.
All medical professionals, including nurses, have a legal obligation to provide high-quality care to their patients. Unfortunately, some nurses are not as diligent as they should be, which sometimes leads to injuries and illnesses with devastating, preventable consequences.
You have help available in a situation like this from a capable and compassionate Connecticut nursing malpractice lawyer. Call Berkowitz Hanna today to schedule a free consultation.
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