When people think of who commits medical malpractice, it is common to think of a doctor, but sometimes, medical malpractice is committed by nurses. Any medical professional could potentially be held liable for medical malpractice, including nurses or nursing assistants.

If you believe that you are a victim of medical malpractice, it may be in your best interests to contact a Silver Spring medical malpractice attorney to learn more about possible legal options. We offer a free consultation and if we represent you there are no fees unless we win.

What is Nursing Malpractice?

Nursing malpractice occurs when a nurse or nursing assistant fails to provide the care that a reasonable and prudent nurse or nursing assistant would have provided in a similar situation. If a nurse’s action or lack of action causes a patient to suffer an injury, he or she may have a valid malpractice claim against the nurse. However, it is important to note that not every mistake made in a doctor’s office or in the hospital gives a patient grounds to pursue compensation in a medical malpractice claim.

Common Examples of Nursing Malpractice

There are numerous examples of medical malpractice by a nurse or nurse assistant that may allow victims to pursue compensation. Below, you will find some of the most common examples of nursing malpractice.

Failing to Take Action or Say Something When the Situation Calls for It

Nurses are trusted by patients of all ages to either take action or say something to a doctor when the situation calls for it. When a nurse fails to do so, and the patient suffers an injury, the patient may have a medical malpractice claim. Examples of failing to take action could include failing to administer medication, failing to properly monitor a patient, failing to call for the crash cart, or failing to notify a doctor.

Incorrectly Administering Medication

Nurses administer medication to patients in doctor’s offices and in hospitals. If a nurse administers the wrong medication, the incorrect dosage, or fails to administer any medication, it may be nursing malpractice. A nurse can also make a medication error by injecting medication into a vein instead of a muscle or under the skin, or vice versa, or administering medication to the wrong patient.

Who is Liable?

Determining liability in a nursing malpractice cases can be quite complicated. Aside from the nurse, his or her employer could be held liable for the nurses’ actions, or the hospital in which the nurse was working. Hospitals are common defendants in nursing malpractice cases because many nurses are employees of the hospital where the malpractice occurred.

Injured by a Nurse? Contact an Experienced Attorney Today

Have you suffered an injury because of the negligent actions of a nurse in a hospital or a doctor’s office? If so, it is in your best interest to speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney from our team at Goldberg Finnegan.