Anyone admitted into a New Jersey hospital likely hopes to receive quality care. When physicians and hospital workers ignore essential matters of safety, a malpractice suit may follow. Even little things, such as the failure to adequately wash one’s hands, may lead to a lawsuit. In truth, poor hand hygiene is not a small matter. Anything that exposes patients to germs could cause them great harm.
The trouble with poor hand hygiene
Workers that rush through hand washing or skip the step might not think they put patients at risk. However, documented instances show how dangerous such inconsiderate behavior is. When hospital staff members don’t wash their hands properly, infections may spread. A resulting infection could become impossible to treat, and a patient may die.
A 2019 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides shocking details about staph infections. Out of 119,000 infections in 2017, almost 20,000 people lost their lives. Such sobering figures present a tragic reminder of why exposure to germs and bacteria comes with dire dangers.
Liabilities and poor hand hygiene
A staph infection could lead to an extended hospital stay, and in some instances, the patient may die from what was an avoidable infection. When incidents like this occur, the hospital and other parties could be liable for pain, suffering, and even wrongful death.
A medical malpractice insurance claim might cover all the costs associated with the event. Any issues with the insurance company, such as a denial, may lead the injured person to take further action.
An attorney may assist those filing a medical malpractice claim. The attorney could negotiate with the insurance company or initiate a civil suit.