JULY/AUGUST 2021 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 45
How often is medical
malpractice committed in
the hospital emergency
department?
Unfortunately for patients, emergency room error occurs
more frequently than we would like to think. As a boardcertified
civil trial lawyer, I concentrate my practice on
fighting negligence by holding medical professionals
accountable for mistakes.
The emergency room environment can be demanding
and fast-paced, and this can unfortunately lead to error.
Misdiagnosis is the most common mistake we see in the
ER, and certain conditions tend to be the likeliest for a
misdiagnosis. These include heart attack, stroke, infection
and meningitis. Other common types of emergency room
errors include medication errors, delays in treatment and
less-than-thorough examinations.
Many emergency room errors could be prevented with
improved staffing conditions. Increasing the number
of qualified staff members tends to reduce the time
that patients wait to receive diagnosis and treatment,
preventing many conditions that are caused by delays.
Lowering patient-to-staff ratios normally increases the
amount of time allotted to each patient; this provides for
more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
We have found in our cases that inexperienced nurses and
physicians are more likely to make mistakes. Some of the
hospitals we have prosecuted for malpractice thereafter
implemented staffing ratios based on experience and
seniority. Others have allotted more resources toward
enhanced training to improve the level of care.
There may be reasons for medical error, but reasons are
not excuses. By continuing to hold doctors and nurses
accountable, we can best encourage compliance with
medical standards.
Jeffrey “Jack” Gordon
Selected to Super Lawyers
Top 50 Tampa Bay / Top 100 Florida
Maney | Gordon Trial Lawyers
101 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1700, Tampa, FL 33602
PH: 1-866-344-LAWS / jack@maneygordon.com
FightNegligence.com
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