Unfortunately, in some cases emergency rooms fail to fully treat a patient. In some cases, emergency rooms do not wish to treat a patient because a patient cannot prove ability to pay or cannot prove that they have medical insurance. Even though emergency rooms are legally obligated to provide basic medical care and emergency care to patients, regardless of ability to pay, the unethical practice of patient “dumping” -- where a patient is dismissed before they are legally ready or transferred to another hospital -- does occur. In other cases, patients are not fully treated because staff are overwhelmed in an emergency room and are negligent in offering treatment for all patients.
If you have been denied treatment in an emergency room or have not been provided with adequate treatment in an emergency department, you do have legal rights. You may be up able to file a medical malpractice claim in Miami or your community. This can help you pay for medical costs for any complications you may have suffered as a result of the negligence as well as any lost wages you suffered due to your injuries. To get more information, you can always contact the Flaxman Law Group for a free case evaluation. The Flaxman Law Group is a full-service law firm with experience in medical malpractice and personal injury cases.
Laws in Florida do Protect You Against Emergency Room NegligenceThe Emergency Medical Transfer and Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that requires hospitals to screen all emergency room patients and to treat all patients who have a serious medical condition. Under the terms of this statute, emergency room patients who are found to need medical treatment must be stabilized before they are discharged or transferred. EMTALA prevents “dumping,” or the passing of one patient to another facility, and ensures that everyone can get medical aid in an emergency, despite their ability to pay or the details of their situation. Doctors and facilities face strict penalties if they discharge a patient before the patient is medically ready to be discharged.
There are also civil laws that can help protect patients. Patients who have been injured by medical negligence, for example, may be able to file a personal injury claim in Miami or their community. In many cases, these types of claims provide compensation to the victim so that they can get medical help but also push hospitals and medical staff to make important safety changes that can help other patients in the future.
Contacting an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Miami or Your Community is ImportantIf you have been injured by medical negligence, it is important to speak up. Medical negligence can be very costly to you and can cause immense pain and suffering. Seeking compensation can help get you answers and can provide you with the financial resources you need to start rebuilding your life. There's a statute of limitations in Florida, however, for these types of cases. For this reason, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney in Miami or your community as soon as possible once you realize you may have a case.
If you're looking for medical malpractice attorney in Miami or another Southern Florida area, contact the Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or through the law firm's website. The Flaxman Law Group legal team has handled thousands of medical malpractice and personal injury cases in Miami and across South Florida. They have already recovered more than $25 million on behalf of victims. Contact them today for a free accident consultation to discuss your specific situation.