Hospitals are trusted to provide timely, safe, and effective care. Unfortunately, negligence in a hospital setting can lead to devastating outcomes for patients and their families. In Florida, victims of hospital negligence have the legal right to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice claim. Understanding the most common types of hospital negligence is essential for recognizing when a patient’s rights may have been violated.
Below are the most frequently litigated categories of hospital negligence in Florida.
1. Delayed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
One of the leading causes of malpractice lawsuits is a delay in diagnosing a patient’s condition or a complete failure to diagnose. In busy emergency rooms or inpatient settings, providers may overlook critical symptoms or fail to order necessary diagnostic tests. Common consequences include:
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Progression of untreated infections
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Missed cancer diagnoses
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Stroke or heart attack mismanagement
Florida hospitals must follow appropriate standards of care, and delays that cause harm may constitute negligence.
2. Surgical Errors
Errors during surgery are among the most serious forms of hospital malpractice. These include:
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Operating on the wrong body part
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Leaving surgical instruments inside the patient
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Performing an unnecessary procedure
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Infections due to improper sterilization
Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical staff may all bear liability for preventable injuries in the operating room.
3. Medication Errors
Hospitals are responsible for ensuring patients receive the correct medications in the right dosages. Medication mistakes can occur when:
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The wrong drug or dose is administered
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Allergies are overlooked
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There is a failure to monitor for dangerous drug interactions
In Florida, medication errors can form the basis of a malpractice claim if the hospital or staff acted negligently.
4. Inadequate Monitoring of Patients
After surgery, during labor and delivery, or while managing chronic conditions, hospitals must monitor patients closely. Failures in monitoring can lead to:
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Respiratory failure
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Cardiac arrest
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Postoperative complications
Such failures often stem from inadequate staffing or failure to follow hospital protocols.
5. Infections Due to Poor Sanitation or Protocol Violations
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are often preventable. Florida hospitals must adhere to strict sanitation and infection-control procedures. Common violations include:
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Improper catheter care
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Contaminated IV lines
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Failure to isolate contagious patients
If an infection results from lapses in standard care, the hospital may be liable for resulting injuries or death.
6. Negligent Hiring or Inadequate Staffing
Hospitals must ensure that their physicians, nurses, and support staff are properly licensed, trained, and supervised. Claims based on negligent hiring or understaffing may arise when:
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Unqualified staff are allowed to treat patients
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Nurses are assigned too many patients, leading to preventable harm
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Staff fail to communicate critical information
Under Florida law, hospitals can be held directly liable for administrative decisions that place patients at risk.
7. Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
Patients in Florida have the legal right to be fully informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to any procedure. If a patient is harmed after undergoing a procedure they did not fully understand or consent to, the hospital may face liability for lack of informed consent.
Holding Florida Hospitals Accountable
To bring a successful hospital negligence claim in Florida, plaintiffs must comply with the state’s medical malpractice pre-suit requirements under Chapter 766, Florida Statutes. This includes obtaining a medical expert’s affidavit supporting the claim. Hospitals may be held liable directly or vicariously for the acts of their employees and staff.
Get Legal Help for Hospital Negligence in Florida
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to hospital negligence in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. An experienced Florida medical malpractice attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for the justice you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us review your case and help determine if hospital negligence contributed to your injury.
Have you or someone you know been injured as a result of hospital negligence? Contact Florida Hospital and Medical Malpractice Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Miami Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at jp@yourattorneys.com or by text at (305) 929-8935.
