Medical Malpractice Claims for Paramedic/EMT Negligence

Medical negligence cases can take many forms. Sometimes, it can be an obvious, blatant mistake such as when a physician operates on the wrong patient, removes the wrong organ or leaves a piece of surgical equipment inside after a procedure. But it can also include mistakes made by other medical professionals such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, the first responders who drive ambulances and render aid in emergency situations. These vital professionals serve as a bridge between an emergency and the medical care the patient will receive once they get to the doctor. EMTs and paramedics receive extensive training so that they can make these critical decisions in assessing a patient, addressing their immediate needs, and communicating their condition to the medical team at the hospital.

Maybe you have been seriously injured in a car wreck, or you experience a medical emergency at home, and you call an ambulance to get you to the hospital as quickly as possible. In situations like this there are a few things that we usually take for granted such as:

• You expect that the ambulance will show up in a few minutes after you call.
• The ambulance will be staffed with trained, qualified Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics who will care for you while you are being whisked to the hospital.
• You will be safe in the care of the EMT’s and paramedics.
• You expect that all the life-saving equipment in the ambulance will be in working order.

Unfortunately, these expectations are not always met. While most ambulance rides are successful and uneventful, there are some that can cause injury or even hasten the death of a patient. If an EMT or paramedic behaves inappropriately, you may have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim.

Examples of EMT or paramedic medical negligence claims

The following are a few examples of medical negligence on the part of emergency medical workers:

• Ambulance got lost/delayed arrival on the scene
• Broken/malfunctioning/missing medical equipment on the ambulance
• Failure to comply with accepted standard of care for emergency medical professionals
• Medication error
• Reckless driving leading to further injury

What makes medical negligence by an EMT medical malpractice?

There are many opportunities for errors when you work under as much pressure as emergency medical professionals do. For a mistake to rise to the level of malpractice, there are a few elements that must have occurred just like any other type of medical malpractice case such as:

• The EMT and/or paramedic owe a duty of care to transport the patient safely to the hospital
• By their action or failure to act, the emergency medical professional breaches that duty
• The EMT’s breach of their duty caused the patient’s injury
• The patient’s injury resulted in damages

A Mississippi medical malpractice attorney from the law firm of Merkel & Cocke, P.A. would be happy to discuss your case with you and advise you of your legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries.

From our Clarksdale and Jackson offices, Merkel & Cocke, P.A. is proud to represent clients throughout Mississippi, including in Tupelo and throughout the Gulf Coast region, who have suffered injuries because of any form of medical negligence. We also serve clients in Tennessee and Arkansas. Please call 662-627-9641 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.