Can Hospitals be Responsible for a Doctor’s Negligence?

If someone goes to a hospital and experiences medical malpractice of any kind – whether it’s a surgical error, an incorrect diagnosis, or a mistake with medication – their first thought might be that it’s the hospital’s fault. But if you’re harmed by a medical error at a hospital, it’s very important to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible, because whether or not the hospital is liable for your injuries can be complicated. 

One important thing to understand about medical malpractice in hospitals is that doctors very often aren’t direct employees of the hospital. Instead, they’re often (but not always) classified as independent contractors, which makes a significant difference in the level of responsibility the hospital has over a doctor’s actions. When a doctor is classified as an independent contractor, it protects hospitals from being legally liable for the actions of the doctor because they have less control over things like how a doctor provides care for patients. Hospitals also commonly have similar arrangements with other types of medical professionals, such as anesthesiologists, who may belong to separate medical groups instead of being directly employed by a hospital. 

Even though many people who provide care at a hospital aren’t technically classified as hospital employees, others are more likely to be directly employed by a hospital, such as nurses. In these types of situations, a hospital could potentially be liable if a patient is harmed by a medical error. However, if a medical error occurs when a hospital employee, such as a nurse, is working under the direction of a doctor who is an independent contractor, that can create a very complex situation in terms of who is legally liable for the patient’s injury. 

Contact a Michigan Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical malpractice cases can be challenging in many different ways, which is why it’s so important to have someone on your side who knows the law and has experience holding the correct parties accountable. At Scott Goodwin Law, you’ll be able to get help from a Michigan-based lawyer who has helped other people like you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help you.

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