Hospital Malpractice Attorney in New Jersey

Hospital Harm Can Begin With Failures Across an Entire Care System

Hospital malpractice may involve more than one provider’s mistake. Breakdowns in staffing, communication, medication controls, emergency care, medical records, or facility procedures can contribute to serious patient injuries. We handle medical malpractice matters throughout New Jersey, examining both individual conduct and failures within the hospital system.

An unexpected result isn’t automatically malpractice. A viable claim generally requires evidence that the care fell below the applicable standard of care and caused additional harm. Our attorneys can evaluate the treatment history, identify the parties involved, and assess how the alleged negligence affected the patient’s health.

Who May Be Responsible for Hospital Negligence?

Responsibility depends on who provided the care, who controlled the relevant procedure or system, and how the injury occurred. A claim may involve the hospital, a physician, a surgeon, a nurse, an anesthesiologist, a testing professional, or another provider. Employment and contractor relationships may also affect which parties can be held responsible.

An investigation may extend beyond one treatment decision. Staffing practices, communication between departments, charting, medication administration, test reporting, infection controls, discharge instructions, and follow-up procedures may all be relevant. If defective equipment or a medical device contributed to the injury, any product-related responsibility must be evaluated separately from hospital negligence.

Hospital Errors That May Warrant Legal Review

We handle claims involving misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, anesthesia errors, birth injuries, surgical errors, pharmacy errors, and medication mistakes. Hospital-based claims may also arise from emergency department delays or inadequate monitoring after a procedure.

Situations that may justify a legal review include:

• Delayed emergency care: A patient’s condition worsens while necessary testing or treatment is postponed.
• Diagnostic failures: Laboratory results, imaging, symptoms, or changes in condition aren’t properly reviewed or communicated.
• Medication errors: A patient receives the wrong drug, dose, or method of administration.
• Surgical or anesthesia errors: Preventable mistakes occur before, during, or after a procedure.
• Inadequate monitoring: Staff fail to respond appropriately to vital signs, symptoms, or postoperative complications.
• Unsafe discharge: A patient is released without appropriate instructions, follow-up care, or consideration of continuing symptoms.

The resulting harm may include a worsened condition, a new injury, permanent disability, additional treatment, lost income, or death. We also handle wrongful death litigation when alleged medical negligence causes a patient’s death.

More Than 40 Years of Service & Direct Attorney Attention

DeZao & DeZao, P.C. has served New Jersey residents for more than 40 years. As a multi-generational family firm, we limit our caseload so clients receive personalized service and direct access to their attorneys instead of having every communication routed through support staff.

We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for personal injury clients across our practice. Hospital malpractice claims present distinct medical and legal questions, and past results don’t determine the outcome of a new case. We assess each claim on its facts and prepare for litigation when necessary.

Initial consultations are free. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so clients pay no upfront legal fees and owe no legal fees unless we secure a recovery.

How We Begin a Hospital Malpractice Investigation

Our review begins with the treatment timeline and the harm that followed. We analyze the available records, evaluate the conduct at issue, and advise the client about possible next steps.

Documents that may assist the initial review include:

• Hospital records, test results, and imaging reports
• Medication lists and pharmacy information
• Discharge instructions and follow-up communications
• Medical bills and records of additional treatment
• A written timeline of symptoms, appointments, and significant conversations

New Jersey medical malpractice actions generally must be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrues. Discovery issues and other exceptions may change that deadline. These cases also generally require an affidavit of merit from an appropriate licensed professional within 60 days after a defendant files an answer, although a court may allow up to 60 additional days for good cause.