In 2009 alone, close to six million people were treated in Florida emergency rooms. Across the country, over 225,000 people suffer fatal injuries each year due to medical malpractice, with half of those fatalities caused by errors and negligence in emergency rooms. A very common cause of ER negligence claims in Miami and across Florida is delayed treatment.
If you are injured due to an unreasonable wait in an emergency room or another type of delay in treatment, you have legal options. If you have sustained an injury due to negligence, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim in Miami or your community. In order to find out more about your options and about the laws that may affect your case, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney in Miami or your community. The Flaxman Law Group is a full-service law firm that can help you understand your options in a free, no obligation case evaluation. You can always reach the Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 to learn more.
Delays can be a Form of Emergency Room Negligence in Miami and South FloridaIn an emergency room, delays can cost lives. Many patients enter ERs for life-threatening and time-sensitive issues, such as heart attacks, brain aneurysms, strokes, head injuries, and other issues. In some of these cases, delaying proper diagnosis and treatment – even by a few minutes – can cause serious complications or even fatal injury to the patient. A patient who has had a stroke or suffered a serious brain injury in Miami or their community, for example, may suffer permanent brain damage if not treated quickly. A brain aneurysm or heart attack can kill in just minutes.
Wait times in hospitals are a growing concern, according to experts. One Harvard Medical Institute study has found that emergency wait times are growing. According to the study, the average wait time for a patient in an emergency room was 22 minutes in 1997 and in 2004 more than 50% of patients waited 30 minutes or more. In 1997, a patient with a heart attack waited an average for eight minutes for treatment. By 2006, that wait time was 22 minutes.
Why do Delays Happen in Miami ERs?There are many reasons why delays in ER treatment can occur in Miami and other Florida communities:
No matter why they occur, delays in emergency room treatment are a serious cause for concern. When delays are caused by negligence and lead to serious injuries, such as brain injuries, fatalities, complications, and other serious issues, patients have a right to seek answers and may qualify for compensation as well.
The Flaxman Law Group provides a full service approach to each client and his or her specific needs. If you have suffered an injury due to emergency room negligence in Miami or anywhere in South Florida, you can always call the Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or use the website to contact the legal staff. Your initial consultation is free and comes with no obligation. It gives you a chance to discuss your situation with a personal injury attorney before you make any decisions.