When you need emergency care or schedule a procedure at the hospital, you assume the medical professionals taking care of you will do their job to the best of their ability.
However, negligence isn’t limited to private doctors or small medical facilities. It happens in hospitals all around the state.
If a loved one died from negligent care at an Alabama hospital, surviving family members might be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital and medical providers.
Wrongful death cases against medical providers and facilities are notoriously challenging to pursue. You need a skilled Alabama wrongful death lawyer on your side who can represent your interests.
At the Fob James Law Firm, we understand Alabama’s medical malpractice laws and how best to protect your rights.
Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Claims Involving a Hospital
In some situations, you may be able to file a lawsuit against an Alabama hospital. However, you must prove that the facility was negligent.
Most hospitals will defer to the medical professional as the responsible party. You prove the hospital was partially responsible for your family member’s death. Otherwise, you won’t have a claim against the facility.
Because the laws surrounding medical malpractice in Alabama are very complicated, hiring an attorney with experience is crucial.
Our legal team has years of experience representing injured clients and surviving family members in Alabama medical malpractice cases.
How Long Do You Have to Sue a Hospital for Wrongful Death?
When a loved one passes away due to another party’s negligence, you only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit.
In most cases, you only have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital and any other negligent parties.
If any of the defendants are a government entity, the time to file is significantly shorter. You could have only six months in some cases.
Determining the proper statute of limitations in a wrongful death case can be complicated. That is another reason why you need a knowledgeable and experienced attorney on your side.
Possible Hospital Errors in a Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Claim
Holding a hospital accountable in a medical malpractice wrongful death claim is challenging but not necessarily impossible.
Some potential hospital errors that can expose a facility to a lawsuit include:
- Hospital-Acquired Infections—Hospitals must be diligent in eliminating the spread of bacteria between patients, especially deadly MRSA infections;
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: The longer a patient has to keep a catheter in, the higher the risk of infection, which can lead to severe kidney issues;
- Chart Mix-Up: Hospital chart mix-ups can have deadly results if a physician prescribes the wrong medication or orders the incorrect procedure;
- Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection: This very deadly infection occurs when someone uses poor practices to place central lines, which allow germs into the bloodstream; and
- Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: When someone needs a ventilator to breathe, the tube can introduce germs through the nose, mouth, or neck.
If you suspect a hospital is to blame for your loved one’s death, it’s imperative to speak with an attorney right away.
Contact an Alabama Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a loved one is a tragic event. When your family member dies due to another party’s negligence, surviving family members may have the legal right to file a claim against the responsible parties.
Due to the complexity of medical malpractice wrongful death, you shouldn’t pursue a claim on your own. You need an experienced litigator who has the skills and resources to battle these powerful defendants.
Fob James Law Firm isn’t afraid to stand up to these hospitals. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation to learn how we can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against a hospital.
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.