Can I file a lawsuit against a hospital or only against individual healthcare providers?

When it comes to medical malpractice incidents in Alabama, the immediate question many victims grapple with is, "Who should I hold accountable?" While the knee-jerk reaction is to target the individual medical professional, there's often confusion about the legal grounds to sue a hospital. This article will elucidate when and how you can file a lawsuit against a hospital in Alabama under the Medical Liability Act and how this differs from suing individual healthcare providers.

Understanding Vicarious Liability

To navigate the complex web of medical malpractice accountability, it's essential to grasp the concept of "vicarious liability." Essentially, this means that an employer can be held responsible for the negligent actions of its employees.

For instance, if a nurse employed by a hospital commits an act of negligence that harms a patient, not only can the nurse be held individually accountable, but the hospital might also be liable due to the employment relationship.

Independent Contractors vs. Employees

However, not all medical professionals working in a hospital setting are employees. Many doctors, for example, work as independent contractors. This distinction is critical. Hospitals typically aren't liable for the negligent actions of independent contractors, even if the malpractice occurred within their facilities. Therefore, knowing the relationship between the healthcare provider and the hospital is a pivotal step in determining against whom to file a lawsuit.

Direct Hospital Negligence

Apart from vicarious liability, a hospital can also be sued for its direct negligence. Examples include:

• Negligent Hiring: If a hospital hires someone they knew (or should have known) was incompetent or posed a risk to patients.
• Insufficient Staffing: If a patient's injury resulted from the hospital's failure to have adequate staff.
• Faulty Policies and Procedures: If established protocols lead to patient harm.
• Administrative Neglect: Such as failing to ensure that medical records are accurate and accessible, leading to patient harm. 

Benefits of Suing a Hospital: 

• Financial Solvency: Hospitals typically have more financial resources than individual healthcare providers. This can be crucial, especially in cases where the damages are significant.
• Moral Accountability: Holding institutions accountable can often lead to systemic changes, benefiting future patients.

When to Pursue a Lawsuit Against a Hospital

If you believe you've been a victim of medical malpractice in Alabama, the following steps can guide your decision-making process:

• Seek Legal Counsel: Before making any decisions, it's essential to consult with a knowledgeable Alabama medical malpractice attorney. They can evaluate the specifics of your case, identify potential defendants, and provide guidance on the best course of action.
• Gather Evidence: Collect all relevant medical records, witness statements, and any other documentation that can support your claim.
• Consider Mediation: Some disputes might be resolved without going to trial, saving both time and resources.

In Alabama, medical malpractice victims have the right to pursue justice against both individual healthcare providers and the hospitals where they operate. However, the intricate relationship between medical professionals, their employment status, and institutional responsibilities makes these cases complex. Ensuring you have robust legal representation is paramount.

It's not uncommon for a medical malpractice lawsuit in Alabama to list multiple defendants. This can include the individual healthcare professional responsible for the injury, the hospital, and possibly other entities or individuals. Having multiple defendants can complicate litigation, but it ensures all parties contributing to the negligence are held accountable.

Free Initial Strategy Session

All Initial Strategy Sessions are Free. If you would like to discuss your options, you are invited to fill out one of the Contact Forms. I will attempt to contact you if I think I can help you.

During your Initial Strategy Session, I will asist you in creating a strategy on how to best pursue your claim, whether it be the result of a Car Accident Claim, 18 Wheeler Injury, or, Alabama Workers' Compensation Claim. At your Initial Strategy Session, you will receive the following:

• First - I will listen to your story. You will have a chance to tell everything to someone who wants to hear what happened to you.
• Based on the information that you provide, I will give you my best advice on both what claims you have, and the next steps you should consider to proceed with your claim(s).
• If your claim is something that I think I can help you with, I will explain the services that I can provide for you, and what the next steps are that we should take. We will start working immediately.
• If your matter is something that I do not think I can help you with, then I will attempt to put you in contact with another lawyer that might be able to help you.
• Either way, what should happen is we will put to rest some of the unkowns that you may be experiencing. We will start to shed some light on what you can expect, and how to best pursue the benefits you deserve.

Don't delay getting the recovery you deserve! Contact us today for your free Strategy Session!