Emergency Room Errors Can't Be Ignored - Neither Should Your Rights
When emergency rooms fail to provide timely and appropriate care, the results can be catastrophic. Misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, premature discharge, and medication errors are among the most common emergency room mistakes — and they can cost patients their health, independence, or even their lives.
At Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, our Grand Rapids‑based medical malpractice attorneys focus exclusively on complex negligence cases, including emergency room malpractice across Michigan. We know how to uncover what went wrong, hold hospitals and providers accountable, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one suffered harm from an ER mistake, we are here to help. Our attorneys will investigate what went wrong, hold hospitals and providers accountable, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Call us today at 616‑278‑0888 or request a free case review.
How Frequent Are Emergency Department Errors?
Emergency Departments are usually fast-paced environments. The most serious cases are treated first. Emergency Medicine physicians act as coordinators for care when they are not performing life-saving measures. The environment is ripe for errors. In one study, a hospital committed medical errors in 1.24% of all cases. That means that for every 100 patients, an error was committed with more than 1 patients. Of those errors, a whopping 33.7% happened in the emergency department!
Common Types of Emergency Room Errors We Handle in Michigan
Emergency departments are fast‑paced environments, but that is no excuse for negligence. When ER staff fail to follow standard protocols, patients suffer preventable harm. At Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, we investigate all forms of emergency room malpractice throughout Michigan, including:
- Triage Errors - Failing to properly assess the severity of a patient's condition that leads to a delay in those needing immediate care and treatment
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Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis – Failing to recognize life‑threatening conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, infections, or internal bleeding.
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Medication Errors – Administering the wrong drug, wrong dosage, or failing to account for drug allergies or dangerous interactions.
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Premature Discharge – Sending patients home too soon, without proper testing or stabilization, leading to worsening symptoms or death.
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Failure to Order or Interpret Tests – Missing critical imaging, lab results, or failing to act on abnormal findings.
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Communication Failures – Poor handoffs or misunderstandings between providers, inadequate documentation, or ignoring patient complaints.
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Procedural Mistakes – Errors in intubation, IV placement, or other urgent interventions that cause injury.
- Failure to Review Medical History - Not obtaining or reviewing the patient's medical history can cause a healthcare provider to miss important information that can impact diagnosis and treatment
- Failure to Monitor - Inadequate monitoring of vital signs or failing to recognize a change in condition can lead to negative outcomes
These errors often lead to serious and permanent injuries, and hospitals rarely admit fault voluntarily. That’s where our team steps in — we hold negligent providers accountable and fight for the justice you deserve.
Read More About Emergency Room Error Cases
An Overview of ER Malpractice Law in Michigan
Pursuing an emergency room malpractice claim in Michigan requires navigating strict legal rules. At Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, we guide you through every step to protect your rights.
Statute of Limitations for ER Malpractice in Michigan
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the malpractice to initiate a claim by serving a Notice of Intent. If the malpractice was not immediately discoverable, you may have additional time under Michigan’s “discovery rule,” but this window is limited. Acting quickly is critical — waiting too long can bar you from recovery.
Notice of Intent (NOI)
Before filing a lawsuit, Michigan law requires serving a Notice of Intent to File a Claim (NOI) at least 182 days before filing suit. This notice must outline the nature of the malpractice, the standard of care that was breached, and how it caused harm. Our firm prepares detailed NOIs supported by medical expert review to strengthen your case from the start.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
In ER malpractice cases, liability may extend beyond the treating physician to include:
- Consulting physicians for failing to appropriate diagnose, treat, or admit the patient
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Hospital systems for systemic failures or understaffing
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Nurses or technicians who failed to follow protocols
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Radiologists or lab professionals who misread or failed to report critical results
Understanding these rules — and identifying all responsible parties — is essential for building a strong case.
If you believe you were harmed by an emergency room error in Michigan, our attorneys are ready to evaluate your claim, preserve evidence, and ensure all deadlines are met.
Why Choose Hoffer & Sheremet for Your Michigan Emergency Room Malpractice Case?
At Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, medical malpractice isn’t just one of many practice areas — it’s what we do. We are a boutique Michigan law firm dedicated exclusively to representing victims of serious medical negligence, including emergency room malpractice.
Focused Experience in Complex Malpractice Cases
Unlike general personal injury firms, our attorneys concentrate on medical malpractice litigation. We work with leading medical experts, dig into hospital records, and uncover the truth about what went wrong in the emergency department.
Direct Access to Experienced Attorneys
When you hire our firm, your case will not be handed off to a junior associate or paralegal. You’ll work directly with our experienced trial attorneys, who provide clear communication and strategic guidance every step of the way.
Results‑Driven Representation
Our firm has a proven record of success in Michigan medical malpractice cases, holding hospitals, doctors, and nurses accountable for the harm they cause. We prepare every filed case for trial — because we know that strong trial preparation leads to better settlements and verdicts.
Client‑Centered Advocacy
We know how overwhelming it can be to face life after a devastating emergency room error. Our mission is simple: to give you the answers, accountability, and compensation you need to move forward.
If you or a loved one was harmed by emergency room negligence, contact us at 616‑278‑0888 or request a free case review today.
Recommended Related Pages:
Would you like to learn more about Michigan Emergency Medicine Malpractice and Litigation? Check out our Learning Center and Related Pages linked below!
- Medical Malpractice 101: Our comprehensive litigation guide to Medical Malpractice in Michigan
- Recoverable Damages in Medical Malpractice Cases
- Navigating the Legal Landscape: Understanding Negligence, Medical Malpractice, and Birth Injury Litigation
- Navigating the Complexities of Emergency Room Errors: A Guide to Understanding and Legal Action
Examples of Areas We Cover
I think my doctor made a mistake. What next?
If you believe that you or a loved one suffered injury and damages due to negligence at the hands of medical professionals, contact Hoffer & Sheremet. The next steps would typically include the following:
- Gather and review medical records;
- Retain expert witnesses;
- Speak to treatment providers about your prognosis;
- Interview you and close loved ones regarding the impact the injury has had on your life;
- Calculate your medical expenses, out of pocket expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings and other economic damages;
- Send a demand letter to the hospital and medical providers to attempt pre-suit settlement;
- Serve a Notice of Intent on the hospital and medical providers;
- At the expiration of the Notice of Intent waiting period, file the Complaint and Affidavit of Merit to initiate litigation;
- Conduct discovery;
- Handle motions, court proceedings, and facilitation;
- Go to trial if there is no settlement.
Get the compassion and compensation you deserve.
At Hoffer & Sheremet, our team will truly get to know you, your family, and how the malpractice affected your life. We listen to you. Our unique team approach helps us get you the best settlement you can. If you believe that you or a loved one suffered injury and damages due to negligence at the hands of medical professionals, contact Hoffer & Sheremet today for a free consultation, or fill out the form below.