Are Hospitals Mute When Patients Are Harmed by Medical Mistakes?

Are Hospitals Silent When Patients Are Harmed by Medical Mistakes?

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Shapiro Law Group

Medical mistakes have become the third leading cause of death in the US, but hospitals remain opaque on offering details when these errors happen. Hospitals may be silent on medical mistakes when patients or grieving family members have questions. This might be the case because hospitals may want to avoid liability when patients are killed or harmed by medical mistakes.

Patients hurt by medical mistakes are sometimes not informed, and as a result, continue to suffer from preventable conditions. An ABC News article from last year described how a man was allowed to swallow a surgical sponge during a procedure, but was discharged from the hospital and never informed of the sponge. According to the man’s wife, her husband became very sick days later.

Circumstances led the man and his wife to seek help from another doctor. After seeking a second opinion from another facility, a surgical sponge was found in his stomach. It turns out the first hospital did not tell this man that he had swallowed a surgical sponge. The first hospital did not want to admit its mistake, and this man suffered as a result. Unfortunately, similar stories are commonplace across the country.

Hospitals have a duty to provide details to patients affected by medical mistakes. The same could be said for grieving family members. It is unfair for hospitals to remain opaque when patients have questions about the quality of their care or when family members want answers.

Hospital Patients Have a Right to Their Medical Records

Hospital patients have a right to access their medical records. In addition, patients can authorize family members or loved ones to access their records by signing HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) release forms.

If hospitals fail to disclose information and patients or family member suspect medical mistakes have been made, they may have legal options. Before filing medical malpractice lawsuits, attorneys will attempt to secure available medical records to discover exactly what happened.

Tags: PatientRights

What Our Clients Say

“My dad lost his fingers on one hand due to malpractice after a successful surgery that did not involve fingers. For months we were told it was because of debris in his blood. It was not. Mr. Shapiro and his associates were relentless in getting the medical records until the "missing" page was sent. Then they had the hard and arduous job of finding a doctor willing to testify. An informative video and audio with the doctor's testimony was presented. Case closed. Because of their due diligence, a satisfactory settlement was reached. Mr. Shapiro's law firm worked hard, were extremely thorough, professional, and kept in constant communication throughout the whole stressful ordeal. Mr. Shapiro still remembers my parents and keeps in touch with my mom, even after 15 years have passed. That alone is impressive.”

Patti A.

“The Shapiro Law Group represented our daughter, family, and reputation in winning our daughters case that was due to a catastrophic injury. We interviewed many lawyers and felt Mr. Shapiro would ultimately do what was best for our family. Being involved in a lawsuit is very difficult, emotional, and exhausting. If it weren’t for the Shapiro Law Group fighting for our daughter and family, I don’t know where we would be now. They are very thorough, knowledgeable, and know what needs to be done. Lawsuits can take a very long time, and we knew that Shapiro Law Group would not give up. They did whatever was necessary to help our daughter. We can’t thank Mr. Shapiro enough for all he has done for so many! During a very difficult situation in our lives, the Shapiro Law Group went above and beyond in guiding our family in helping our daughter. We would highly recommend this firm. Thank you,”

Stephanie P.

“Attorney Richard Shapiro was able to provide me with very knowledgeable and competent legal expertise to resolve my case.”

D. Harrison