All individuals in the healthcare field are intelligent and highly educated in order to have and maintain the job they do. This holds them to high standards, as they are responsible for taking care of other people’s lives. When a medical professional does not live up to this standard and commits malpractice, they can be held liable as a result of their actions. This can include nurses. When a patient is harmed by the care they receive from a nurse, they can pursue legal action against them. It is important for nurses to fight for their reputation when facing these situations. This can be done by hiring an experienced New York medical defense attorney to protect their career.
What Constitutes Nursing Malpractice?
When a nurse does not provide the property duty of care to their patients, they can be charged with nursing malpractice. This may be the case if a patient can prove that the nurse failed to exercise the standard of care they are obligated to. These situations can be frightening and overwhelming for a nurse, as a malpractice accusation can call their entire career into question. In some cases, it is possible for them to lose their license and be unable to practice medicine.
There are a variety of different ways that a nurse can engage in malpractice. This can include the following actions:
- Injuring the patient
- Improperly administering medications
- Failing to take action or file a report when it is needed. Nurses must inform a doctor if anything out of the ordinary happens to a patient.
What Do Nurses Need to Know When Facing a Lawsuit?
When a complaint is filed against a nurse for malpractice, they can be investigated by the Office of Professional Discipline (OPD). This process involves a thorough look into the nurse’s practice and how they conduct medicine as well as interact with patients. It can also require interviews to take place. When the OPD reaches a conclusion on whether or not they believe the nurse committed malpractice, the professional may face disciplinary measures as a result. These are imposed by the OPD as well as the Department of Education depending on the case.
It is important to keep in mind that the consequences of malpractice actions are very serious. All nurses are subject to the same discipline that other medical professionals are. In some cases, a nurse can even lose their right to practice medicine, thus losing their career. These situations can cause possible personal and financial crises, which is why it is crucial that malpractice allegations are taken seriously. Any nurse facing this matter should acquire skilled legal assistance immediately to prevent these life-changing consequences.
Contact our Firm
When a medical professional is accused of misconduct, it is essential that they retain strong legal representation. If you require a medical law attorney for your legal matters, call Paul E. Walker, an experienced New York City OPMC & OPD Lawyer. Please contact the Walker Medical Law firm to set up a free initial consultation.
