Can I File a Lawsuit for Ambulance Delays or EMT/EMS Negligence?
When someone calls an ambulance, it’s typically for emergency medical care. In a medical emergency, every minute counts. When an ambulance is delayed or an EMT is negligent in providing medical care, it can lead to serious injury or harm to the patient. In such cases, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit to hold medical professionals liable for negligence.
The medical malpractice attorneys of Zucker & Regev help victims of delayed ambulance service and EMT negligence in Brooklyn, NY, recover compensation for their injuries and other damages. If you believe you’re the victim of medical malpractice, we encourage you to contact the attorneys of Zucker & Regev to discuss whether filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is the right option for you.
Delayed Ambulance and EMT Negligence
In a hospital setting, medical professionals who delay care may be held liable for medical malpractice. The same goes for ambulance drivers and other first responders who delay their services.
Ambulances should arrive in a reasonable amount of time. If a delay occurs because the driver failed to respond to an emergency call or was otherwise negligent, they may be held responsible. However, it’s important to point out that an ambulance may be delayed for reasons beyond control of the driver. For example, it can take longer for ambulances to reach a rural area where hospitals or other emergency medical services are far away.
Once an ambulance arrives, paramedics or EMTs (emergency medical technicians) should provide medical attention right away and continue to provide necessary medical care until the patient is brought to a hospital. Negligence in providing care can cause a patient’s condition to worsen, so by the time they get to the hospital further medical intervention may not be as effective.
Types of EMT Negligence
When an EMT is negligent in Brooklyn, it can lead to serious harm, or even death, to the patient. Some ways EMTs may be negligent include:
- Failure to bring adequate medical equipment
- Failure to administer corrects medications or correct dosages
- Reckless ambulance driving
- Delayed response
- Misdiagnosis made by an EMT
Hold a Negligent EMT/EMS Liable With a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
EMTs and other emergency medical services (EMS), that fail to provide a reasonable standard of care and cause harm to a patient may be held liable for negligence through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Through a medical malpractice lawsuit, it may be possible to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.
When seeking damages for medical malpractice through a lawsuit, it must be shown in court that the EMT or EMS:
- Had a duty of care: A duty of care is the legal obligation between a medical professional and the patient that they will provide the patient a standard of care in line with what another reasonable medical professional would provide in a similar situation.
- The duty of care was breached: The EMT or EMS failed to meet the standard of care.
- The patient suffered an injury: The patient was injured or harmed as a result of the breach of duty of care.
- The breach caused the injury: The breach of duty directly caused the harm or injury and not something else.
A medical malpractice attorney can help gather evidence to support medical malpractice claims and present a strong case in court.
Schedule a Consultation
If you believe you were harmed by the negligence of an EMT or other medical professional, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with the Brooklyn medical malpractice attorneys of Zucker & Regev.
