So, can you sue a hospital for a medical mistake that changes your life? Yes, you can sue for negligence when it causes you harm through misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and other medical errors. The law gives you the right to seek justice when a hospital fails to meet the accepted standard of care.
According to Becker’s Hospital Review, hospitals reported 1,575 sentinel events in 2024. Sentinel events include the worst medical errors you can experience in a hospital. If you or a loved one were harmed in a Hawaii hospital, you don’t have to suffer alone.
At Cummings Law, attorney Brian Cummings brings reputable litigation experience to your case. Our focused, high-level advocate will fight for your rights, ensuring you’re well compensated.
What Are the Statutes of Limitations on Medical Malpractice in Hawaii?
Hawaii law gives you a limited window to file a medical malpractice claim. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 657-7.3, you must file your lawsuit within two years from the date you discovered the injury.
Two years can make you feel like you have time. However, if you don’t act quickly, you will weaken your case. Your evidence may be distorted over time.
What Is the Best Way to Sue a Hospital?
If you want to build a strong case, you need a qualified legal team. A qualified attorney will help you determine whether negligence occurred. Your lawyer will also help you gather evidence and get expert testimony for your case.
When Can You Sue a Hospital in Hawaii?
Not every bad outcome qualifies as malpractice. You need clear proof that the hospital’s negligence caused your injury. Below are answers to the question, “When can you sue a hospital in Hawaii?”
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Hospitals can be sued when a doctor misses or delays a diagnosis. A delay in diagnosis can become life-threatening.
Surgical Errors
Surgical mistakes are a leading source of hospital negligence cases. Wrong-site surgeries, leaving instruments inside a patient, and operating on the wrong organ all qualify as surgical malpractice. These errors should never happen with proper protocols in place.
Medication Errors
Medication mix-ups happen far more often than most patients realize. Here is how:
- A nurse may give you the wrong drug
- Your pharmacy can fill a wrong prescription
- The doctor can order a dangerous dose
All these situations are grounds for a lawsuit. Hospital staff training and oversight failures often play a role in these cases.
Poor Hiring or Supervision
Hospitals are responsible for the people they hire. Suing for medical errors caused by under-trained staff is a strong angle. If a hospital ignored red flags about a dangerous employee, that becomes part of your case.
Unsafe Conditions
Slip-and-fall accidents and hospital-acquired infections all fall under patient legal protection. Hospitals owe every patient a clean and safe environment. Failure to maintain that standard exposes them to claims for damages.
Get the Justice You Deserve With a Reputable Attorney
If you’ve been asking, “Can you sue a hospital?”, the answer is yes. Your legal rights in healthcare allow you to pursue every loss tied to a hospital’s failure.
Cummings Law will help you get justice. You can bank on our 25+ years of litigation experience successfully handling medical malpractice claims. Contact us today for a focused, expert review of your case.
