If a patient is ever injured during the course of a hospital stay, it is very important to discover the source of the injury. By recognizing where a mistake occurred, a hospital can take corrective actions that will help minimize the chances of a similar event taking place in the future.
Moreover, if the patient’s injuries are severe enough in nature, he or she may need compensation to cover the costs of future treatments. In such cases, the cause of the injury must be pinpointed in order to determine liability.
In a hospital injury situation, there are often a number of parties who may bear responsibility. Sometimes, an injury can be attributed to negligence on behalf of the attending doctor. But if the doctor was retained as a part of the hospital’s staff, or if another staff member caused or contributed to the injury, then the hospital may be held liable.
This form of liability is known as “vicarious liability.” For a hospital to be considered liable for an injury, the following conditions must be met:
- The hospital was in some manner a beneficiary of the work performed by the doctor or staff member.
- The injury occurred during the course of activities for which the doctor or staff member had been hired to perform.
- The injury took place while the doctor or staff member was on the clock.
Determining hospital negligence can prove complicated. A hospital may be loath to share critical information regarding a patient who was injured while in its care.
If you have been injured while receiving care at a hospital, an Arizona medical malpractice attorney may be able to help you prove what happened and who was responsible. In turn, the attorney could possibly help you receive a fair settlement for medical costs and pain and suffering.