What Hospital Injuries Can You Sue For?

Posted in Accident & Injury, Medical Malpractice on February 11, 2019

Hospitals are supposed to be the places we go to get better. And typically, people exit a care facility feeling better than they did when they walked in.

However, that’s not always the case. Some people suffer serious injuries or illnesses while they are in the hospital. And while this can happen as a result of medical malpractice, it can also happen because hospitals are like any other buildings: potential sites for an accident. If you believe you have been a victim of malpractice, contact a Columbus medical malpractice attorney today.

Equipment Malfunction

For example, recently, a nurse suffered serious injuries when she was in a hospital accident in another state. She wasn’t having surgery or subject to unsanitary conditions as a patient; she was riding in an elevator.

According to her lawsuit, the woman says she was in a hospital elevator when it suddenly plunged several floors, landing violently. She says she suffered numerous injuries that left her unable to work.

She also says that the elevator had malfunctioned on other occasions shortly before and after her accident. The woman named two inspectors and the elevator company in her lawsuit, and she is seeking more than $1 million in damages.

Slip, Trips & Falls in the Hospital

Things like elevators, stairs and escalators are critical components of pretty much any building. And with so many people using them every day, it is crucial that property owners maintain them properly. Keeping them clear and accessible is one part of this. Regarding elevators, though, it also includes inspecting them regularly and thoroughly.

If a property owner fails to keep these spaces safe, he or she can be liable for damages. If an inspector or manufacturer tasked with installing or repairing these components fails to do so properly, he or she can be liable.

Contact Elk & Elk Co., Ltd

This case can serve as a reminder that unsafe premises can and do cause serious accidents. As can defective equipment. And in cases like this one, there may be multiple options for compensation, from workers’ compensation to a personal injury claim for negligence or product liability. Discussing the options and potential remedies with an attorney under similar circumstances can, therefore, be crucial.