When you or a loved one is admitted to a hospital in Stroudsburg, you place your trust in the medical professionals 
and staff to provide safe and competent care. Unfortunately, hospital negligence can occur at even the best facilities, leading to severe injuries, prolonged recovery times, or even tragic outcomes. Whether it’s a misdiagnosis, surgical error, improper medication, or lack of proper monitoring, the consequences of hospital negligence can be devastating.
If you believe that substandard care at a Stroudsburg hospital has caused harm, you may be entitled to pursue a hospital negligence claim. At Munley Law, our experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Stroudsburg hold healthcare institutions accountable and help victims and their families seek the compensation they deserve.
Contact our law offices today for a free consultation.
Hospital Negligence vs. Medical Malpractice
While hospital negligence and medical malpractice are often used interchangeably, they refer to distinct legal concepts in the context of healthcare.
Hospital negligence occurs when a hospital fails to provide a standard level of care to its patients, leading to injury or harm. This can include a wide range of issues, such as inadequate staffing, poor facility maintenance, improper patient monitoring, or failure to follow proper procedures. In cases of hospital negligence, the institution itself is typically held liable for the harm caused.
Medical malpractice, on the other hand, specifically involves the actions of individual healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses, or surgeons.
In some cases, hospital negligence and medical malpractice can overlap. For example, if a surgeon employed by the hospital commits an error during surgery, both the individual and the hospital may be held liable, especially if systemic issues within the hospital contributed to the mistake.
Examples of Hospital Negligence in Stroudsburg
Negligence on the part of a hospital or hospital system can take many forms.
Understaffing, Poor Training, or Negligent Hiring Practices
When a hospital fails to maintain adequate staffing levels, patient care can suffer. Understaffed facilities often lead to rushed or incomplete care, delayed responses to emergencies, and increased stress on healthcare providers, which can result in errors. Additionally, poor training or negligent hiring practices, such as failing to properly vet medical staff or ensuring they have the necessary qualifications, can put patients at serious risk. These systemic issues within a hospital can lead to significant harm and are considered hospital negligence.
Poor Hospital Conditions
Hospitals have a duty to maintain clean, safe, and properly functioning facilities. Poor hospital conditions, such as unsanitary environments, malfunctioning medical equipment, or inadequate infection control measures, can lead to patient injuries, infections, or even fatalities. For example, a patient might contract a severe infection due to improperly sterilized surgical instruments or develop complications from bedsores caused by neglect. These conditions represent a failure on the part of the hospital to provide a safe environment for patients, constituting hospital negligence.
Malpractice by a Provider
While medical malpractice refers specifically to the negligent actions of individual healthcare providers, it can also be an example of hospital negligence if the hospital fails to prevent or address the issue. For instance, if a hospital knowingly allows a provider with a history of malpractice to continue treating patients, the hospital itself can be held liable for negligence. This could include situations where a doctor misdiagnoses a patient, administers the wrong treatment, or makes a critical surgical error.
Proving Hospital Negligence in Stroudsburg
If you believe you were harmed because of systemic problems or negligence at the hospital where you were treated, how do you prove it? That’s where a skilled hospital negligence lawyer can help.
To successfully establish a claim, the following elements must typically be demonstrated:
- Duty of Care: The first step is to prove that the hospital owed the patient a duty of care. This duty arises when the patient is admitted to the hospital and relies on the institution to provide a safe and competent environment for their treatment.
- Breach of Duty: The plaintiff must then show that the hospital breached this duty of care. This could involve demonstrating that the hospital staff was negligent in their actions, such as failing to maintain proper hygiene, not adequately monitoring a patient, or allowing unqualified personnel to provide care.
- Causation: It’s not enough to show that the hospital was negligent; the plaintiff must also prove that this negligence directly caused harm or injury to the patient. This often requires expert testimony from medical professionals who can explain how the hospital’s breach of duty led to the specific injury or worsening of the patient’s condition.
- Damages: Finally, the plaintiff must provide evidence of the damages suffered due to the hospital’s negligence. This can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. Documentation such as medical records, financial statements, and expert evaluations establish the extent of the damages.
Proving hospital negligence often involves gathering substantial evidence, including medical records, witness testimonies, and expert opinions. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Stroudsburg can help ensure your case presents all the necessary facts and give you the best chance at success.
Compensation for Stroudsburg Patients and Families
When hospital negligence in Monroe County leads to injury or harm, patients and their families may be entitled to various forms of compensation. The compensation awarded in a hospital negligence claim can help cover a range of damages. When pursuing a hospital negligence claim, the damages awarded are generally categorized into two types: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses that the victim incurs as a result of hospital negligence. These damages are intended to cover out-of-pocket expenses and other financial losses related to the injury. Key examples include:
- Medical Expenses: This includes all costs related to the treatment of the injury, such as hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and any future medical care that may be required due to the harm caused by the negligence.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If the injury prevents the victim from working, they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages during the recovery period. Additionally, if the injury affects the victim’s ability to earn income in the future, compensation may cover the loss of future earnings.
Non-economic damages are more subjective and compensate for the intangible effects of the injury. These damages are not easily quantifiable but are just as important in addressing the full impact of hospital negligence. Examples include:
- Pain and Suffering: This compensation covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury. It accounts for the suffering endured by the victim during recovery and any ongoing pain or discomfort.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury impacts the victim’s ability to enjoy activities and hobbies they once participated in, they may be compensated for this loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of Consortium: In cases where the injury negatively affects the victim’s relationship with their spouse or family, compensation may be awarded for loss of consortium.
Emotional Distress: Beyond physical pain, hospital negligence can lead to significant emotional trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Non-economic damages can compensate for these psychological impacts.
Connect with Stroudsburg Hospital Negligence Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has suffered due to hospital negligence in Stroudsburg, it’s important to take action quickly. The legal process can be complicated. The experienced Stroudsburg medical malpractice attorneys at Munley Law are here to guide you every step of the way. With a deep understanding of medical malpractice law and a proven track record of securing significant settlements for our clients throughout Pennsylvania, Munley Law stands out as a leader in hospital negligence cases.
Choosing Munley Law means choosing a law firm with more than six decades of experience, compassionate client care, and a commitment to holding negligent parties accountable. We understand the devastating impact that hospital negligence can have on your life, and we are dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait; the statute of limitations in PA is typically two years from the date of injury. Connect with our Stroudsburg hospital negligence lawyers today for a free consultation.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
27 N 6th St,
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570) 338-4494
