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Nursing Error Lawyers
Nurses are a critical component of our healthcare system. They are physicians’ eyes and ears. They conduct frequent assessments and provide necessary care to patients.
Nurses provide much of the day-to-day care for hospital patients, long-term care facility residents, home care recipients and visitors to other medical offices. Nurses hold great responsibility across the health care sector and their errors can cause serious harm to patients, permanent disability and even death. If a nurse breaches standards of care due to negligence and a patient suffers an injury as a result, it’s called medical malpractice. And, the nurse may be liable for damages.
If a nurse has been negligent in your care, or the care of a family member, you have every right to seek justice for the harm they have caused. Gluckstein Lawyers have the knowledge, experience and skill to help you make a claim for compensation for damages caused by a nursing error.
Types of nurses in Ontario.
There are three types of nursing positions in Ontario: Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs).
New RNs must have a baccalaureate degree from a collaborative college-university nursing program or a four-year university nursing program. With this comprehensive education, RNs are able to offer care for patients with more complex needs in unpredictable situations. NPs are RNs with advanced university education who specialize in primary health care, adult and pediatric care and anaesthesia. RPNs must earn a two-year diploma in Practical Nursing in a college program. RPNs tend to work with patients with less complex needs or with stable and predictable conditions.
Standards of practice for nurses.
Nurses are trained professionals. They are expected to provide care at a level similar to the care provided by other nursing professionals in similar situations, with similar training. Each type of nurse is trained to perform tasks at varying levels of patient care. In addition to providing care within their training and experience, all nurses must follow standards of practice produced by the College of Nurses of Ontario and institutions in which they serve.
Nurses serve many important functions. They are responsible for providing day to day care, monitoring and tracking patients’ conditions, advocating for patients, administering medications and other treatments, and finally, responding to and altering allied care providers to changes in the patient’s condition. Importantly, nurses are expected to understand the patient population they are treating. They must know what changes in a patient condition mean so that they are able to respond and escalate care appropriately.
Common nursing errors.
There are many types of errors a nurse can make during their shift; however, several errors tend to happen more frequently and often lead to more severe outcomes for patients.
medication errors - if a nurse improperly administers medication to a patient, serious adverse events are possible. Common medication errors include the wrong dose, wrong patient, wrong medication, wrong site of delivery, and/or wrong time to medicate.
fall prevention - older people or patients with certain conditions such as vertigo or neurological impairments are at a greater risk for falls, but any patient could suffer from a preventable fall if their needs are not met and they attempt to get out of a hospital bed when otherwise unable. If a nurse fails to make timely rounds, fails to understand and assess a patient’s mobility, or fails to understand the effects of certain medications, they may cause or contribute to a preventable injury from a fall.
documentation errors - if a nurse is keeping inadequate documentation of a patient’s condition and interventions or treatments (for example, administering medications), they may cause or contribute to another practitioner making an error when providing care, prevent a patient from receiving necessary changes in treatment, or record incorrect information which could affect a patient’s care.
Failing to report changes in patient condition - as mentioned above this piece of nursing care is critical. Nurses must monitor their patients appropriately but they must also know when to get other health professionals involved. This is particularly true when a patient’s condition changes.
Failure to monitor - frequency and adequacy of monitoring are important. Nurses play a key role in ‘early warning systems’. Appropriate monitoring can often catch complications or changes in a patient’s condition.
Obstetrical errors - nurses are often key people in providing obstetrical care. They monitor mother and baby throughout most of the active phase of labour. Failures in frequency of monitoring or with interpretation of the fetal heart monitoring strip can lead to devastating consequences.
Discovering a nursing error.
Some nursing errors will be obvious immediately, others may not be evident for hours or days. If you or a loved one has experienced an adverse outcome following medical care, especially if the prognosis was good, it is advisable to investigate whether its cause was something that could have and should have been avoided. You can begin this process by contacting a personal injury lawyer with experience in nursing error cases. At Gluckstein Lawyers, we draw on our expansive in house experience and network of medical experts to carefully review a patient’s records for any indication that a breach in the standard of care occurred.
Identifying a breach is only one part of a nursing error medical malpractice case. In addition, a plaintiff must establish that the breach of the nurse directly caused or contributed to harming the patient. The harm must have caused damages to the patient beyond what they would have suffered due to their normal course of illness or injury.
Nursing error medical malpractice cases are rarely straight-forward and are often quite complex. Choosing the right legal representative and advocate to assist you in making a claim and advancing your interests in a case is one of the most consequential decisions a victim of a nursing error can make.
We’re here to help.
Gluckstein Lawyers have helped people just like you as they took steps to rebuild their lives following a devastating event. As one of the country’s top ranked personal injury firms, we are respected by our peers and we have earned a reputation among our clients for getting results as we take on even the most difficult and complex files.
When you contact our office for a no cost, no obligation initial consultation, you can be confident you will be received with empathetic, compassionate and attentive care. After you explain what has happened, we will take all the time you need to inform you of your rights, discuss your options, and help in any way we can.
If your case is actionable and we believe our lawyers can successfully negotiate a fair settlement for you or win a court-ordered award, we will offer to represent you in your legal proceedings. Our confidence in our ability to build strong and persuasive cases means we will never ask for payment for legal services unless we are successful in accessing funds that compensate you for injury.
Full-circle care.
There are many personal injury lawyers you can choose to work with on your case. But as our past clients will tell you, Gluckstein’s commitment to providing full-circle care sets us apart. We treat our clients as we would treat our own family, and that means caring about your well-being beyond the time we are actively working on your case.
When you entrust your case to us, our renowned client liaisons will be available to help you understand the process and to connect you with resources that may help your recovery. Some of these liaisons have experienced their own personal injuries and are uniquely able to understand what you may be thinking and empathize with what you may be feeling. Knowing that you have a trusted and effective team supporting you can make all the difference as you take steps to build back your best life after a terrible event.
If you or a loved one believes you may have suffered serious harm from a nursing error, trust Gluckstein Lawyers to be your tireless advocates. Together, we can work to get what you need and deserve to move confidently into the future.
Related Expertise.
FAQs.
- What is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)?
- Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) and reduced blood flow (ischemia) to the brain, typically occurring around the time of birth. HIE can be caused by factors such as complications during childbirth, umbilical cord issues, placental abruption, maternal infections, fetal distress, or other conditions that restrict oxygen supply to the baby's brain. Get More Information
- What are the long term effects of birth injuries?
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Birth injuries can have lasting effects on a child's health and well-being, leading to various long-term consequences such as:
- Physical Disabilities: Birth injuries like cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, or brain damage can result in long-term physical disabilities that may affect mobility, coordination, and overall physical function.
- Cognitive Impairments: Some birth injuries can impact cognitive development, leading to learning disabilities, developmental delays, or intellectual impairments that persist into adulthood.
- Emotional and Behavioral Challenges: Children who experience birth injuries may face emotional and behavioral challenges such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other mental health conditions.
- Chronic Health Conditions: Certain birth injuries may predispose individuals to chronic health conditions like epilepsy, respiratory problems, vision or hearing impairments, and other ongoing medical issues.
- Social Impact: Birth injuries can influence social interactions and relationships, potentially leading to feelings of isolation, difficulties forming connections, or challenges in social integration.
- Educational Needs: Children with birth injuries may require specialized educational support, individualized learning plans, or assistive technologies to accommodate their unique needs and facilitate academic progress.
- Financial Burden: The long-term effects of birth injuries can impose a significant financial burden on families due to healthcare expenses, therapy costs, assistive devices, and ongoing care requirements.
Understanding the potential long-term effects of birth injuries is essential for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure early intervention, appropriate treatment, and necessary support to help children thrive despite the challenges they may face. If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury, seeking medical evaluation and legal guidance promptly can help address the long-term implications effectively.
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- Who can be sued for a birth injury caused by medical negligence?
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In cases of birth injury resulting from medical negligence in Ontario, various entities may face legal action, including:
- Healthcare Providers: This category encompasses obstetricians, midwives, nurses, and other healthcare professionals directly engaged in prenatal care, labor, or delivery services.
- Hospitals or Medical Facilities: The institution where the birth injury occurred could be deemed liable, particularly if their policies, practices, or inadequate equipment contributed to the negligent circumstances.
- Medical Staff: Individual healthcare workers whose actions or oversights led to the birth injury can be held accountable.
- Pharmaceutical Companies: If medication or medical devices played a role in the birth injury due to defects or improper use, pharmaceutical companies might be implicated in the legal proceedings.
- Third Parties: External entities such as medical equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, or other involved parties in the birthing process that contributed to the negligence leading to the birth injury.
To ascertain responsibility in cases of birth injury caused by medical negligence, a comprehensive investigation, legal acumen, and collaboration with medical experts are essential. If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, seeking guidance from a specialized birth injury lawyer in Ontario is recommended. They can assess your situation, identify the responsible parties, and assist you in navigating the legal process to pursue rightful compensation
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- Why should I hire an Ontario birth injury lawyer?
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Hiring a birth injury lawyer in Ontario can be crucial for several reasons:
- Legal Expertise: Birth injury cases can be complex, and an experienced lawyer specializing in this area understands the laws and regulations specific to birth injuries.
- Maximizing Compensation: A skilled lawyer can help you seek the maximum compensation you deserve for medical expenses, ongoing care, pain and suffering, and other damages.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: A lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation, gather evidence, and consult with medical experts to strengthen your case.
- Navigating the Legal Process: The legal process can be overwhelming, but a lawyer will guide you through each step, ensuring your rights are protected.
- Peace of Mind: By entrusting your case to a knowledgeable lawyer, you can focus on your family while knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands.
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- What is the deadline for filing a birth injury claim?
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In Ontario, there are limitations on how long you have to file a birth injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. It's crucial to consult with a lawyer promptly to understand your legal options and ensure timely action is taken to protect your rights.
For personalized guidance on your specific situation, we recommend reaching out to a reputable birth injury lawyer in Ontario for a consultation.
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- What type of cases do birth injury lawyers take on?
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Birth injury lawyers in Ontario handle a wide range of cases, including but not limited to:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Erb's Palsy
- Brachial Plexus Injuries
- Brain Damage
- Shoulder Dystocia
- Hypoxia
- Bone Fractures
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- What is a birth injury lawyer?
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A birth injury lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in cases where an infant has been injured during the birthing process due to medical negligence or malpractice. These lawyers have a deep understanding of the complex medical and legal issues involved in birth injury cases and work to help families receive compensation for the physical and emotional damages suffered. Birth injury lawyers can assist with cases involving various types of birth injuries.
If you're considering a medical negligence lawsuit following a birth injury, a specialized lawyer in this field can provide meaningful advice and direction after reviewing the medical records and the specifics of the case.
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- What should you do if you suspect you have been injured or harmed due to a nursing error?
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As soon as you realize that you or a loved one may have suffered serious harm as a result of a nursing error, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to learn about your rights, options, and how to proceed with a claim for compensation if your case is actionable.
As members of one of the country's top ranked personal injury firms, Gluckstein's nursing errors medical malpractice team have the skill needed to manage even the most challenging cases. After launching a preliminary investigation, if we determine we can help you successfully access compensation and damages for the harm done to you, we will offer to be your legal representative and advocate. As we advance your case through proceedings, our team will keep you informed every step of the way and be ready to offer support in any way we can.
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- What are common examples of nursing errors?
- Common nursing errors include medication errors, errors with documentation, failure to properly monitor patient, obstetrical monitoring errors and failing to advise other members of the team when necessary. Get More Information
- What is a nursing error?
- If a nurse breaches standard practices of care due to negligence and a patient suffers an injury or other harm as a result, it is called nursing error medical malpractice. Get More Information
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