Patients in a hospital are entitled to a certain basic level of care. If conditions, events or conduct in that hospital result in harm to a patient, that individual has the right to sue the hospital for malpractice. However, it can become difficult to determine whether the hospital or doctor is liable. Contacting an experienced attorney, like the lawyers at Finkelstein & Partners, LLP, is the best way to proceed in any medical malpractice case. Hospitals, like other entities, are liable for the negligence of their employees. However, most doctors are not employees. They are independent contractors, which makes the hospital not liable for their actions. Therefore, if your injuries were caused by a doctor who was an independent contractor, the claim would be brought against the doctor and not the hospital. Nurses, medical technicians and support staff are usually employees, so if your injuries are a result of negligence from these individuals, the hospital can be sued. Complications can arise when a patient is injured by a doctor who is an independent contractor, but the hospital should have been aware of the doctor’s incompetence. When this occurs, a claim can be brought against the hospital for negligent supervision or negligent hiring and firing practices and another claim against the doctor for malpractice. Read more.....