Define: Hospital Malpractice

Hospital malpractice, also known as medical malpractice involving hospitals, refers to instances where a hospital or its staff deviate from accepted standards of medical care, resulting in harm or injury to patients. Hospital malpractice can encompass a wide range of negligent actions or omissions, including misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, inadequate supervision of patients, failure to monitor vital signs, and inadequate sanitation or hygiene practices, among others. Victims of hospital malpractice may suffer physical injuries, worsened medical conditions, emotional distress, or even death. Establishing hospital malpractice typically requires demonstrating that the hospital or its staff breached their duty of care to the patient and that this breach directly caused the patient’s harm or injury. Patients who are harmed by hospital malpractice may be entitled to compensation for their damages through medical malpractice lawsuits.

Hospital malpractice occurs when a patient is injured because a medical professional at the hospital failed to follow their duty and did not perform their job according to the standards of care set forth for their medical field. Hospital malpractice can be due to an intentional act or negligence which causes injury to a patient.

Hospital malpractice is a form of negligence and is governed by personal injury law. Specific requirements must be met to have a valid injury claim. Consider, just because you did not get the recovery option you wanted does not prove there is an injury claim. Talk to a personal injury lawyer if you have questions about whether or not you have a hospital malpractice case. All medical malpractice cases must be filed within a specific time frame called the statute of limitations or you will forfeit your right to compensation.

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.