Chicago Emergency Room Malpractice Lawyer

When you visit an emergency room, you trust the medical staff to provide competent care during critical moments. Too often, ER personnel rush through care and make inexcusable mistakes that cause irreversible harm. In many cases, an ambulance or a loved one must rush you to the nearest emergency room with no opportunity to evaluate the reputation or quality of the facility. However, ER malpractice can occur even in top-rated hospitals.

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If you or your loved one has been harmed by medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation, but you must act quickly. Our experienced Chicago emergency room malpractice lawyers can investigate your case, hold the negligent providers accountable, and recover the compensation you deserve. Call (312) 332-2872 or complete our contact form to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Why Choose Levin & Perconti for an Emergency Room Lawsuit?

Emergency room negligence cases are harder to win than other personal injury claims unless you have a determined, experienced medical malpractice lawyer on your side. We have identified the most effective, aggressive approach for each case. You can count on our skilled Chicago medical malpractice attorneys to fight for the best results available.

Proven Experience in Emergency Room Malpractice Cases

We have been handling emergency room negligence cases for over 30 years and are nationally recognized for our skill in handling medical malpractice cases. Attorneys nationwide turn to our law firm to handle their challenging cases when they need assurance that their clients will get the results they deserve.

Our attorneys are respected lecturers, mentors, and national leaders with numerous published works on the scientific and legal aspects of medical malpractice. Michael F. Bonamarte IV has over 20 years of experience and has earned widespread recognition. Attorney Dov Apfel has over 45 years of experience and teaches other lawyers how to identify medical malpractice. Seth Cardeli has over a decade of experience in multiple states and holds leadership positions in national attorney associations.

A Track Record of Notable ER Malpractice Case Results

We have recovered over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts, including numerous significant emergency room malpractice results. Below are just a few examples:

$1.8 million settlement over the failure of an emergency room doctor and staff to provide proper I.V. fluid resuscitation to a 19-month-old boy that resulted in his death from dehydration.
$970,000 medical malpractice settlement with a Chicago hospital for an emergency physician’s failure to notify the mother of a 14-month-old girl when the child’s bloodwork showed signs of a possible bacterial infection. As a result of her pneumococcal meningitis going untreated, she suffered severe brain damage and died.
$7.5 million settlement due to paramedics’ failure to provide timely treatment and transfer, as well as improper intubation at an Illinois emergency room.

Financial Resources to Support Your Case

Hospitals and their insurance companies are wealthy corporations that invest significant financial resources in their defense. Going up against them will require a similarly substantial investment to cover such costs as medical expert fees, travel expenses, document retrieval fees, and court fees. Our financial resources allow us to invest every dollar necessary to beat the medical institutions at their own game. We have a nationwide network of top medical experts and investigators, so we can fearlessly take on powerful medical entities and recover full compensation.

Compassionate and Dedicated Representation

We understand the profound impact a serious injury can have on you and your entire family. We care about every client and provide personalized, compassionate support and advocacy. You can count on us to guide you through every step of litigation and keep you informed throughout the case. Our skilled ER malpractice lawyers are proven trial lawyers ready to take your case to court if the insurance company refuses to pay compensation that truly reflects your damages.

Client Testimonials

Our clients are our top priority, and they regularly send us testimonials praising our attorneys for providing compassionate support, keeping them informed, paying attention to detail, and going above and beyond to get them the best results possible.

“I’m engaged with this team who is diligently pursuing my options going forward. They are an incredibly thorough group focused on attention and detail. They share progress reports on a timely basis and keep me fully cognizant of the steps taken and future planning. They are a high-quality, high-energy group that is getting it done on my behalf. Thank you.” – Joe U.
“It was a great experience working with the lawyers at this firm. They are very thorough with their work and they keep you informed of every stage of your case. I highly recommend this law firm to all who are in need of great representation.” – Elmo M.
“In a situation that was extremely difficult, the lawyers at Levin & Perconti were very supportive and helpful. We appreciate all the work they put in for us to get the best possible outcome. Not the situation we ever imagined being in, but we couldn’t have had a better team to do incredible work on our behalf. They’ve gone and continue to go above and beyond on our case for us!” – Naomi L.

Types of Emergency Room Errors Levin & Perconti Handles

ER negligence occurs in multiple forms. Regardless of what type of error caused your injuries, we can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Common errors that lead to medical malpractice include the following:

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
Medication errors
Failure to triage patients properly
Surgical and procedural errors
Testing and diagnostic imaging errors
Improper discharge practices
Communication failures
Delayed treatment
Failure to monitor vital signs
Denial of care

How Levin & Perconti Can Help After ER Negligence in Chicago, IL

Our skilled emergency room malpractice attorneys leave nothing to chance. We start with a thorough case investigation and work with leading ER specialists, life care planners, financial experts, and others. This enables us to determine the full measure of your damages, build a strong case, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Can You Sue an Emergency Room for Negligence?

If you have been injured by ER negligence, you might be eligible to sue the hospital and the health care providers who provided substandard care. To prove malpractice, you must establish all the following elements:

Duty of care. You went to the emergency room to seek medical care, giving rise to a duty of care.
Breach of duty. The health care providers failed to provide the level of care that a reasonably competent medical professional would provide under similar circumstances.
Damages. You suffered an injury because of the breach of duty.
Causation. The breach of duty is the actual and proximate cause of your injury.

If you suspect you have an ER malpractice claim, contact our law office as soon as possible. Under Illinois’ medical malpractice statute of limitations, you generally must file your lawsuit within two years of the incident or the date you discover the injury. There are many exceptions, and it takes time to prepare a case for filing, so your attorney will need to start building your case as soon as possible.

Who Is Liable if Errors Occur in the Emergency Room?

Multiple parties may be liable when you are injured by ER malpractice, including the following:

The hospital
Doctors
Nurses
Radiologists
Lab technicians
Physician assistants
Nurse practitioners

We will work to identify every responsible party to ensure you receive full compensation. We will work with our medical experts to compare the standard of care with the actions of every provider involved in your care.

What Compensation Is Available for Victims of Emergency Room Malpractice?

You may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages when you are injured by ER malpractice. Economic damages compensate for the financial costs of your injuries, such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, and personal care services. Non-economic damages are more subjective damages related to your quality of life, such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of function, and emotional distress.

Recovering the full measure of your losses requires an attorney who can paint a meaningful picture of what your life was like before and after the injury. That is what we do at Levin & Perconti—and it is just a part of how we try to maximize your compensation.

ER Negligence FAQs

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Do I Have a Case for Emergency Room Malpractice?

You may have a case for emergency room malpractice if you can prove you suffered a negative outcome because of an ER health care provider’s negligence. It is not enough to prove a provider made a mistake. You must prove that the mistake injured you. Experiencing an unexpected negative outcome is not enough to constitute medical malpractice. You must establish a causal link between the negative outcome and ER negligence.

If you have experienced a negative outcome after visiting an emergency room, the only reliable way to determine whether you have a medical malpractice case is to allow an experienced ER malpractice lawyer to review your case.

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Case?

Yes, you need an attorney to handle your medical malpractice case. You will be up against a large medical institution and its insurer, who will have nearly unlimited resources to fight your claim. It takes strong evidence to win. A well-established ER malpractice attorney will have access to medical record retrieval systems, expert witnesses, and other resources you will need to prove your claim. Our award-winning attorneys will also have the skill and leverage to negotiate a maximized settlement or win for you in court.

Can an ER Turn a Patient Away?

No, an emergency room cannot turn you away without at least assessing you and directing you to the care you need. This practice is known as patient dumping, and it is illegal.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an ER Malpractice Lawyer in Chicago?

There is no upfront cost for hiring our Chicago ER malpractice attorneys. We will use our own money to pay your case costs, such as court fees, investigation costs, and expert witness retainers. After we win your case, we collect our costs and a percentage of your compensation as our fee. You owe us nothing unless we are successful in recovering compensation for you.

Can I Sue for Wrongful Death If a Loved One Passed Away Due to ER Malpractice?

Yes, you can sue for wrongful death if ER malpractice results in the death of your loved one. Our compassionate Chicago wrongful death attorneys can help you recover compensation for your monetary and emotional losses, including medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, grief, loss of parental guidance, and loss of love and affection.

What Are the Causes of Emergency Room Errors?

An emergency room is a fast-paced environment that is constantly changing. ER staff must provide critical care to patients they have never treated. Hospitals are responsible for having policies, standards, and systems in place so staff can carry out their duties effectively. Emergency room errors often happen because of the following:

Understaffing
Poorly trained staff
Lack of clear policies and procedures for triage, discharge, and patient care
Poor communication between departments
Old, defective, or outdated equipment
Improper supervision of medical residents and trainees
Unsanitary conditions
Inadequate patient tracking procedures
Lack of on-call physicians
Physician and nurse fatigue from excessively long shifts

Contact an ER Malpractice Attorney in Chicago for a Free Case Evaluation

Since 1992, our experienced Chicago emergency room medical malpractice lawyers have won over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements, including numerous record results. We are committed to listening to your story and fully understanding how much you have lost because of ER malpractice. In addition to allowing us to provide the compassionate support you need, it enables us to evaluate the full extent of your losses and pursue the maximum compensation.

Schedule your free consultation today by calling (312) 332-2872 or contacting us online using our contact form.

Testimonials

I want to send my heartfelt thanks to John Perconti and the Levin & Perconti staff in taking our case.

Not only were they so professional but also so caring and thoughtful. It was very difficult going over the facts in our mother's case but they were so compassionate and understanding and allowed us to be with them every step of the way. We were able to sit in on the depositions and we were really able to see how hard they worked on our behalf.

Mr. Levin, Mr. Perconti, and the firm handled a medical malpractice suit for my family.

During that time, my family and I suffered the loss of my mother. Mr. Levin and Mr. Perconti were more than just our lawyers. Words can’t really express our gratitude.

Margaret, Daisy and Bryan. This magnificent cohesive team led by Margaret represented us for my mom's nursing home wrongful death case.

They were most patient and responded timely to many questions throughout the entire process. All demonstrated professionalism and extensive knowledge of case and state laws. Their in-depth investigative work uncovered details which were unknown to us and yet sadly confirmed our suspicions. We would recommend the Levin and Perconti Law firm and especially this team.

Mr. Levin, Mr. Perconti and the firm handled a medical malpractice suit for my family.

During that time, my family and I suffered the loss of my mother. Mr. Levin and Mr. Peconti were more than just our lawyers. Words can’t really express our gratitude. My family and I will always be grateful for the compassion that they showed us. I want to thank you for what you did for my family, and for always being there for us.

Our deepest appreciation to the law firm of Levin & Perconti, and in particular to Margaret Battersby Black, in the handling of the lawsuit we field n behalf of our sister who sustained life-threatening injuries as a nursing home resident.

Margaret’s representation, guidance, and professionalism gave us the sense that we could put our trust in Levin & Perconti and the final outcome proved that to be true.

Legally Reviewed by

Michael F. Bonamarte, IV

Managing Partner

Since 2005, Michael Bonamarte IV has been a passionate advocate for victims of negligent conduct, corporate malfeasance, and medical malpractice. He has won numerous awards and recognitions, including Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers’ Rising Star. He has presented for the American Association for Justice, the AAJ Nursing Home Litigation Group, the John Marshall Law School, and numerous other legal associations. He regularly lectures at Chicago-area aging organizations about nursing home abuse. His writings have been published by the American Bar Association, the Chicago Daily Bulletin, and numerous other prestigious publications.

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Notable Results

$11.5 MILLION

SETTLEMENT

child who suffered a catastrophic hypoxic-ischemic brain injury as a result of a negligent neonatal resuscitation and intubation

$17.7 MILLION