WHEN NURSES ARE CHARGED WITH MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

“When a nurse makes a mistake that never should have happened, it means the standard duty of care they are obligated to uphold was not well adhered to,” begins an article in the Southern Maryland Chronicle. And while the medical faculty may also be liable for issues like short staff, long hours, and faulty equipment, nurses may definitely be sued for medical malpractice, the authors explain.

What things might malpractice constitute on the part of a nurse?

• giving the wrong medication or the wrong dose of a medication
• failing to get the patient’s informed consent before treatment
• failure to communicate accurate or urgent information to doctors
• improper use or reading of medical equipment
• failure to keenly observe the patient

A sad example of a medical malpractice claim against nurses is a case in which Richard Hailey served as co-counsel. Three nurses were among those accused of medical malpractice for failing to take note and to inform physicians of dangerous symptoms exhibited by a patient in reaction to the improper implantation of a medical device near her spine.

Needless to say, just as patients need justice, so do the nurses who care for them. While disciplinary measures against nurses are designed to protect the public, nurses themselves often need legal protection as well.  Since both the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana and the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency are prohibited from providing legal advice, healthcare professionals who feel their livelihoods are being threatened are turning to us in the legal profession for help and guidance. And, when nurses are unfairly accused of malpractice, with their credentials, good name, and livelihood on the line, they deserve legal protection from harm.

At Ramey and Hailey, just as we are devoted to helping victims of medical malpractice attain the compensation they deserve, we are equally devoted to helping healthcare professions keep helping their patients!