Tired Doctors Cause Patient Injuries in Bloomington

Understanding the Dangers of Fatigued Doctors

When doctors are tired, their cognitive abilities, decision-making skills, and reaction times suffer. Fatigued doctors may misdiagnose conditions, prescribe incorrect medications, fail to order necessary tests, or make surgical errors. These mistakes can have tragic consequences for patients, leading to severe injuries, life-altering complications, or even death.

Why Doctor Fatigue Happens

Doctor fatigue can occur for several reasons:

• Long Shifts: Doctors, especially residents and emergency room physicians, often work extended shifts without sufficient breaks.
• On-Call Duties: Surgeons and specialists may be called in at any hour, interrupting rest and sleep.
• Staffing Shortages: Hospitals may be understaffed, requiring doctors to work beyond their scheduled hours.
• Mental and Physical Demands: The emotional strain of dealing with life-and-death situations can be exhausting.
• Poor Sleep Environments: Doctors may try to rest in on-call rooms that are noisy, uncomfortable, or lacking proper sleep conditions.

How Common Is Doctor Fatigue? 

Physician fatigue is an epidemic in the United States. One national survey found that more than 45% of physicians reported at least one symptom of burnout, and over half suffer from physician fatigue. This makes them more than twice as likely to make mistakes when providing care to patients. In fact, out of approximately 6,700 doctors surveyed, an alarming 10% admitted to making a significant mistake in the previous three months while caring for patients. 

Which Doctors Are More Likely to Be Fatigued?

Certain types of doctors are at a higher risk for fatigue due to the nature of their work. Emergency room physicians, who frequently work long, unpredictable shifts, are among the most likely to experience fatigue. Surgeons, who may be required to perform complex procedures for hours without rest, are also at risk. Resident doctors, who often work 80-hour weeks during their training, experience significant fatigue, which can impair their judgment. Additionally, doctors in intensive care units, obstetricians on-call for deliveries, and those in high-demand specialties like neurology or cardiology may also face extreme fatigue. The high-pressure environment, long hours, and constant need to be alert all contribute to fatigue among these professionals.

How Tired Doctors Cause Patient Injuries in Illinois

Whether in a local emergency room, a hospital operating room, or a private practice, fatigue can impact a doctor's ability to provide safe and effective care. This is because tired doctors often experience symptoms like disorientation, the deterioration of cognitive function, memory loss, and impaired decision-making.

Common injuries caused by tired doctors include:

• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Fatigue can cause doctors to overlook symptoms or misinterpret test results.
• Medication Errors: Exhausted doctors may prescribe the wrong medication, the wrong dosage, or fail to account for dangerous drug interactions.
• Surgical Mistakes: Fatigue can lead to poor coordination, incorrect procedures, or even leaving surgical instruments inside a patient.
• Communication Failures: Tired doctors may miscommunicate with other healthcare professionals, leading to treatment errors.

The True Cost of Medical Mistakes Caused By Fatigue

Medical errors caused by tired doctors can be financially, physically, and emotionally damaging for patients and their families. Victims may face:

• Extended Hospital Stays: Due to complications from a misdiagnosis or surgical error, patients may require prolonged stays in the hospital.
• Additional Surgeries or Treatments: To correct mistakes made by a fatigued doctor, patients might require additional surgeries or ongoing medical treatments.
• Permanent Disabilities: Nerve damage, paralysis, brain damage, or organ failure may occur because of mistakes made by tired doctors.
• Loss of Income: If the injury prevents the victim from working, income loss could be substantial.
• Loss of Life: In extreme cases, mistakes made by tired doctors can be fatal. 

Your Legal Rights After Getting Injured by a Tired Doctor

If you were injured by a tired doctor in Bloomington or a nearby hospital in Illinois, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Filing a medical malpractice claim against the physician, the hospital or clinic, or both, can help you recover payment for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Proving that fatigue was a factor can be challenging, however. 

Overworked doctors and the hospitals and clinics they work at or for will go to great lengths to protect their reputations. Sometimes they modify work schedules, or even cover up medical mistakes. If you plan to file a lawsuit against the party who injured you, you’re going to need to hire an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. 

How Attorneys Prove Doctor Fatigue Caused Your Injury

When you hire Strong Law Offices in Bloomington, our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to prove that doctor fatigue played a role in your injury. We may obtain:

• Work Schedule Records: To show that the doctor worked excessive hours without adequate rest, we’ll gain access to records of the physician’s work schedule, including periods during which they were on call.
• Testimony from Medical Experts: Experts in the field of medicine can explain how fatigue impacts medical decision-making, and tie the doctor’s errors to your injuries.
• Medical Records: Documenting the error and its impact on your health is vital. If you cannot prove how the physician’s mistake caused you to suffer injuries, you won’t have a case.

Get a Free Consultation Today

If a tired doctor caused your injuries, do not wait. Contact Strong Law Offices today for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your options, and fight to secure the compensation you deserve. Call 309-393-2928 or complete our online contact form to get started.