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Can I Sue a Nurse for Malpractice?

On Behalf of | Dec 13, 2017 | Medical Malpractice

Just like a doctor, a nurse can be held accountable for medical errors or negligence that results in injury to their patients. This means that you can sue a healthcare provider who incompetently performs their medical duties. In fact, more than $87.5 million was paid for malpractice claims involving nursing professionals between 1997 and 2007.

Nursing malpractice happens when a nurse does not perform their duties in a way that a competent nurse in the same situation would have. This negligence can occur in numerous situations, such as:

  • Failure to Assess & Monitor: Nurses have a duty to observe a patient’s ongoing health status and progress. They must accurately interpret and report a patient’s signs and symptoms. This can be the difference between life and death.
  • Failure to Communicate: A nurse who notices something of concern but does not report it can be found liable for malpractice.
  • Failure to Use Equipment in a Responsible Manner: You can make a malpractice claim against a nurse who injures a patient with a piece of medical equipment.
  • Failure to Follow Standards of Care: Nurses are required to adhere to the accepted standards of the medical community. Failing to do so is grounds for a lawsuit.
  • Failure to Document: Nurses have a duty to accurately document the nursing process, patient progress, and response to treatment. Not doing so puts them at risk for a malpractice claim.
  • Failure to Act as a Patient Advocate: A nurse who does not adhere to doctor’s orders can be found guilty of medical malpractice. This includes medication errors.

How do I Establishing a Nurse’s Negligence?

There are 4 criteria used to establish negligence in medical malpractice cases:

  • Standard of Care
  • Breach of Duty
  • Causation
  • Damages

Have you been injured as the result of a nurse’s negligence? Contact our Indiana team of medical malpractice attorneys to schedule a consultation today.