Hospitals are meant to be places of healing and safety, but when emergency room delays result in catastrophic injuries or the death of a loved one, it can leave families devastated and searching for answers. Long wait times in emergency rooms are not just inconvenient—they can be deadly. Here’s what you need to know to protect your rights, hold negligent parties accountable, and get the legal help you deserve.
Step 1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If delayed care in the emergency room has caused a life-threatening condition or worsened an injury:
- Insist on Being Seen: If still at the hospital, make sure the medical team is aware of the urgency of your condition.
- Get Transferred if Necessary: In extreme cases, transferring to another facility may save your life or prevent further harm.
- Request Medical Records: After receiving care, obtain all records that document the delay, your condition, and the care you eventually received.
Step 2: Understand the Seriousness of ER Negligence
Emergency rooms are legally and ethically required to provide timely care, particularly in life-threatening situations. Delays can cause or exacerbate:
- Heart Attacks
- Strokes
- Sepsis and Infections
- Trauma from Accidents
- Complications During Labor and Delivery
Failure to diagnose or treat critical conditions promptly can result in catastrophic outcomes, including lifelong disabilities or death.
Step 3: Document Everything
To build a strong case, gather as much evidence as possible:
- Write Down Timelines: Note when you arrived at the ER, how long you waited, and when care was eventually provided.
- Capture Witness Accounts: Family members, other patients, or hospital staff may have witnessed the delay.
- Take Notes About the Staff: Document names, roles, and interactions with hospital staff.
Step 4: Know the Common Causes of Emergency Room Delays
- Understaffing: Many hospitals lack sufficient doctors and nurses to handle patient volume.
- Overcrowding: Emergency rooms can become overwhelmed, leading to prioritization errors.
- System Failures: Administrative inefficiencies or communication breakdowns can delay treatment.
- Lack of Triage: Failing to correctly assess the urgency of a patient’s condition can lead to fatal delays.
Step 5: Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
When an emergency room delay leads to catastrophic injury or death, the hospital or staff may be liable for medical negligence. These cases are complex and require a skilled legal advocate who understands medical malpractice law.
No Fees Until Your Case Is Resolved
You can focus on healing while Washington & Washington handles the legal process. You only pay if we win your case.
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If you or a loved one has been catastrophically injured or passed away due to delayed care in a Philadelphia emergency room, don’t wait to seek justice.
No fees until we win. Let Attorney Washington & Washington fight for the compensation and accountability you deserve.
Toll free at 1-800-988-0158.