Ranked the number one hospital in Pittsburg, UPMC (the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) currently has over 100,000 employees and 40 hospital locations in Pennsylvania. Committed to “life-changing medicine,” the healthcare enterprise focuses on innovation, compassionate care, and integrity. Setting the bar high, the organization has faced numerous malpractice allegations in recent years. Many of these concerns have involved surgical errors, birth injuries, and concerns for patient safety.
When a physician fails to adhere to the standard of care expected of them, they have breached the duty of care owed to a patient. If you or a loved one were recently treated at UPMC and experienced complications due to a medical error, the medical malpractice team at Marzella & Associates is available to advocate for the compensation you deserve.
Examples of Medical Malpractice at UPMC
Recent malpractice allegations at UPMC have included the following:
Surgical Errors
A surgical error may involve a surgical instrument being left in a body cavity, operating on the wrong site, or anesthesia dosing mistakes. Many surgical errors are classified as “never events,” being completely preventable with the right precautions in place. UPMC and other hospitals have implemented “time out” protocols to minimize surgical errors. A “time out” involves verifying the patient’s identity, surgical procedure, and surgery site. Even so, other mistakes can and do take place during surgical procedures.
Birth Injuries
Although birth should be a joyous occasion, complications can occur. A physician experienced in obstetrics or an OB/GYN should be present to ensure an infant is delivered safely. Birth injuries may occur due to a lack of training or improper use of obstetrics tools, a failure or delay in performing a cesarean (C-section), or a lack of overall experience in handling fetal distress. These types of errors often result in irreversible damage, with children requiring round-the-clock care.
Patient Safety Concerns
Surgeons are in high demand, with situations arising in which one surgeon may be overseeing several cases. Even so, an exceptional standard of care must be delivered to each patient. Anything less requires a hospital system to reexamine their procedures.
In a recent year, allegations were made against a former UPMC cardiothoracic surgeon who allegedly would oversee as many as three surgeries at a given time. Moreover, the claim stated that the surgeon left patients under anesthesia for dangerous amounts of time while failing to be present for all the “key and critical” parts of each surgical procedure. After a 17-month lawsuit, UPMC settled for $8.5 million.
How Do I Know If I Have a Medical Malpractice Claim Against UPMC?
Whereas complications arise when a physician has taken all proper measures, a provider should be held accountable if you experience injuries due to a medical error. A successful UPMC medical malpractice claim will entail demonstrating the following:
Duty of Care
Physicians and all healthcare providers owe a duty to adhere to specific protocols when administering patient care. This duty applies in any established doctor-patient relationship. The duty of care will vary between specialties but will be based on what actions a competent physician within their field would take under the same or similar circumstances.
Dereliction (Breach of Duty)
Whether it be through an act or omission, a physician breaches their duty to a patient by deviating from the accepted standard of care.
Direct Cause
The patient must establish that the medical professional’s actions directly caused their injuries. Establishing this causal link is often the most complex part of a medical malpractice case.
Damages
As a result of your practitioner’s actions, you experienced compensable losses. In a medical malpractice case, damages often involve lost wages, medical expenses, and mental anguish.
Even if these elements are present in your medical malpractice case, gathering the necessary information to win your case requires extensive knowledge of the legal process. Every hospital system is unique, so it is important that you work with a legal professional who understands what channels to pursue to gather the necessary information. By retaining the services of Marzella & Associates, you will work with a medical malpractice lawyer who understands UPMC’s general policies and their approach to handling malpractice cases.
Reach Out to Our UPMC Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today
Proving medical negligence can be difficult, even if it appears that a physician has made an obvious mistake. Sadly, a medical error can impact a person’s entire life, leaving them with extensive health issues and permanent disability. If you or a family member experienced a worsening condition or injuries after being treated at UPMC, the legal team at Marzella & Associates is here to help. To meet with one of our UPMC medical malpractice attorneys, contact us online or by phone at (717) 876-8681 to arrange your complimentary consultation.