menu

Scales of Justice

Reputation for Excellence

Medical Malpractice During the Holiday Season

Request Consultation / 856-317-6558
categories
Rating Methodology

Medical Malpractice During the Holiday Season

Medical Malpractice During the Holiday Season

Many people choose to seek elective medical treatment during the holiday season, as they often have time from work and can also have time to recover from procedures without the worry of missing out on social events (which tend to be fewer in number during the post-holiday period). However, people who schedule medical treatment and procedures during the holidays may fail to think about the increased risk of medical malpractice during the holidays. 

Unfortunately, medical providers and facilities have increased risks of errors during the holidays due to understaffing, temporary staffing, and being overworked. Although you should always seek medical attention if you believe you are facing a medical emergency, if you have a choice about when to get medical care or schedule a medical procedure, you may want to consider waiting until after the holidays to help lower your risk of becoming a victim of medical malpractice. 

Why the “Weekend Effect” Is More Prevalent over the Holidays

The “weekend effect” refers to the perceived phenomenon that hospital errors and patient fatalities increase during the weekend and over holidays. Studies have found that rates of errors and patient fatalities are higher over the weekend compared to weekdays. The “weekend effect” is usually attributed to the fact that staffing ratios at hospitals and medical facilities are lower over the weekend, with the staff on duty over the weekend often having less experience compared to staff who normally work on weekdays.

The factors that lead to the “weekend effect” tend to persist throughout the holiday season, even during normal weekdays over the holidays. Many healthcare workers will take extended vacation time from work during the holidays to spend extra time with family, especially if they have children who are out of school on break. As a result, many hospitals and healthcare facilities may operate with lower staffing numbers or may bring in per diem or temporary staff to help maintain required ratios.  

Common Types of Malpractice That Occur During the Holidays

Some of the most common forms of medical malpractice that occur during the holiday season include:

  • Misdiagnosis
  • Emergency room errors, such as triage errors or premature discharge of a patient
  • Medication errors, including prescribing a contraindicated medication, administering the wrong dose, or administering medication to the wrong patient
  • Surgical mistakes, including wrong patient/wrong site surgery, leaving instruments or materials inside a patient, or unnecessarily damaging tissue
  • Birth injuries

Steps You Can Take to Avoid Being the Victim of Medical Malpractice over the Holidays

If you do choose or need to seek medical attention or treatment over the holidays, there are steps and tips that you can follow to help keep yourself safe and reduce the risk of being harmed by errors from medical malpractice:

  • If you can schedule a procedure, avoid scheduling the procedure right before Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve/Day, or New Year’s Eve/Day, as medical professionals may be too focused on ending their shift and starting their holiday.
  • When you find yourself in the emergency room or hospital over the holiday (or during any other time of the year), remember to always ask questions of your doctors and nurses, including what procedure or medication they are administering and why you need the procedure or medication. If something doesn’t make sense to you, do not hesitate to request to speak to an attending physician or request a second opinion.
  • If you need to go to the ER or hospital, it can be helpful to have someone with you who can act as a second set of eyes and ears, especially if you are distracted by physical distress or given heavy medication or sedation.

Contact A Medical Malpractice Attorney for a Consultation About Your Case in New Jersey

Were you or a loved one injured due to medical malpractice in New Jersey? Then you need to talk to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible for guidance on how to proceed. The Haddonfield medical malpractice attorneys at The Law Offices of Andres, Berger & Tran P.C. are prepared to assist you with your legal claim. We represent victims of negligent surgeons, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists throughout New Jersey, including Pennsauken, Voorhees, Lindenwold, and Collingswood. Call us today at (856) 795-1444 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Our main office is located at 264 Kings Hwy. E., Haddonfield, NJ 08033.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

standing around table

Sharon Smith

Mike Berger and staff were professional, pleasant, strategic and knowledgeable. The office always kept me informed about my case and moved the case along quicker than I expected. I would highly recommend them to anyone !!

Kathryn N.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Reliable, honest, driven, knowledgeable, compassionate, and highly respected among colleagues and medical professionals [...] fought for me during times when I wasn’t strong enough to fight for myself. The Andres, Berger & Tran law firm understands Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) [...] thank you for your support and guidance over the years.

Mike V.

Mike Berger of Andres, Berger & Tran handled my case over a six year period. He and the team examined every detail to get the best outcome. They were honest, candid and communicative throughout the whole process. It was a long ordeal but could not have been handled more professionally. I highly recommend.

Yadira R.

I just want to say thank you for what you have done for me and my family throughout the years. You made us feel like family, not just clients. You were always very detailed when it came to our cases and tried everything in your power to get us all the help we needed.

Gregory W.

Our family appreciated your unfailing attention to detail. There were last minute snags, we seldom worried that something would fall through the cracks, but you anticipated every contingency. Your firm demonstrated a veracity for the truth, a strong work ethic and overall impeccable character in dealing with our case.

01 / 05

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

case results

View All Case Results

$10million

Settlement/

Gas Explosion

$9.5million

Settlement/

Baby Brain Injury

$9.25million

Settlement/

Anesthesia Malpractice

$7.8million

Settlement/

Anesthesia Malpractice

$7.4million

Settlement/

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

$7million

Settlement/

Anesthesia Malpractice

Areas We Serve

  • Burlington County
  • Bass River
  • Beverly
  • Bordentown City
  • Bordentown Township
  • Burlington City
  • Burlington Township
  • Chesterfield
  • Cinnaminson
  • Delanco
  • Delran
  • Eastampton
  • Edgewater Park
  • Evesham
  • Fieldsboro
  • Florence
  • Hainesport
  • Lumberton
  • Mansfield
  • Maple Shade
  • Medford Lakes
  • Medford Township
  • Moorestown
  • Mount Holly
  • Mount Laurel
  • New Hanover
  • North Hanover
  • Palmyra
  • Pemberton Borough
  • Pemberton Township
  • Riverside
  • Riverton
  • Shamong
  • Southampton
  • Springfield
  • Tabernacle
  • Washington Township
  • Camden County
  • Ashland
  • Audubon
  • Audubon Park
  • Barclay CDP
  • Barrington
  • Bellmawr
  • Berlin
  • Blackwood
  • Brookfield
  • Brooklawn
  • Camden
  • Cherry Hill
  • Chesilhurst
  • Clementon
  • Collingswood
  • Echelon
  • Ellisburg
  • Gibbsboro
  • Glendora
  • Gloucester City
  • Golden Triangle
  • Greentree
  • Haddon Heights
  • Haddonfield
  • Hi-Nella
  • Kingston Estates
  • Laurel Springs
  • Lawnside
  • Lindenwold
  • Magnolia
  • Merchantville
  • Oaklyn
  • Pine Hill
  • Pine Valley
  • Runnemede
  • Somerdale
  • Springdale
  • Stratford
  • Tavistock
  • Wood-Lynne
  • Cape May County
  • Avalon
  • Cape May Point
  • Cape May
  • Dennis Township
  • Lower Township
  • Middle Township
  • North Wildwood
  • Ocean City
  • Sea Isle City
  • Stone Harbor
  • Upper Township
  • West Cape May
  • West Wildwood
  • Wildwood Crest
  • Wildwood
  • Woodbine
  • Cumberland County
  • Bridgeton
  • Cedarville
  • Fairton
  • Laurel Lake
  • Millville
  • Port Norris
  • Rosenhayn
  • Seabrook Farms
  • Shiloh
  • Vineland
  • Gloucester County
  • Beckett
  • Clayton
  • Gibbstown
  • Glassboro
  • Mullica Hill
  • National Park
  • Newfield
  • Oak Valley
  • Paulsboro
  • Pitman
  • Richwood
  • Swedesboro
  • Turnersville
  • Victory Lakes
  • Wenonah
  • Westville
  • Williamstown
  • Woodbury
  • Woodbury Heights
  • Mercer County
  • Groveville
  • Hamilton Square
  • Hightstown
  • Hopewell
  • Lawrenceville
  • Mercerville
  • Pennington
  • Princeton
  • Princeton Junction
  • Robbinsville
  • Trenton
  • Twin Rivers
  • White Horse
  • Yardville
  • Ocean County
  • Barnegat
  • Barnegat Light
  • Bay Head
  • Beach Haven
  • Beach Haven West
  • Beachwood
  • Cedar Glen Lakes
  • Cedar Glen West
  • Crestwood Village
  • Dover Beaches North
  • Dover Beaches South
  • Forked River
  • Harvey Cedars
  • Holiday City South CDP
  • Holiday City-Berkeley CDP
  • Holiday Heights
  • Island Heights
  • Lakehurst
  • Lakewood
  • Lavallette
  • Leisure Knoll
  • Leisure Village
  • Leisure Village East
  • Leisure Village West
  • Manahawkin
  • Mantoloking
  • Mystic Island
  • New Egypt
  • North Beach Haven
  • Ocean Acres
  • Ocean Gate
  • Pine Beach
  • Pine Lake Park
  • Pine Ridge at Crestwood
  • Point Pleasant Beach
  • Point Pleasant
  • Seaside Heights
  • Seaside Park
  • Ship Bottom
  • Silver Ridge
  • South Toms River
  • Surf City
  • Toms River
  • Tuckerton
  • Vista Center
  • Waretown
  • Salem County
  • Alloway
  • Carneys Point
  • Elmer
  • Hancocks Bridge
  • Olivet
  • Pedricktown
  • Penns Grove
  • Pennsville
  • Quinton
  • Salem
  • Woodstown
  • Philadelphia
  • Bella Vista
  • Callowhill
  • Chinatown
  • East Passyunk
  • Fairmount
  • Fishtown
  • Graduate Hospital
  • Logan Square
  • Market East
  • Midtown Village
  • Northern Liberties
  • Old City
  • Pennsport
  • Powelton Village
  • Queen Village
  • Rittenhouse Square
  • Society Hill
  • Spring Garden
  • Spruce Hill and Cedar Park
  • University City
  • Washington Square West
  • Bucks County
  • Bristol
  • Brittany Farms - The Highlands CDP
  • Chalfont
  • Churchville
  • Cornwells Heights
  • Croydon
  • Doylestown
  • Dublin
  • Eddington
  • Fairless Hills
  • Feasterville
  • Hulmeville
  • Ivyland
  • Langhorne
  • Langhorne Manor
  • Levittown
  • Milford Square
  • Morrisville
  • New Britain
  • New Hope
  • Newtown
  • Newtown Grant
  • Penndel
  • Perkasie
  • Plumsteadville
  • Quakertown
  • Richboro
  • Richlandtown
  • Riegelsville
  • Sellersville
  • Silverdale
  • Spinnerstown
  • Trevose
  • Trumbauersville
  • Tullytown
  • Village Shires
  • Warminster Heights
  • Woodbourne
  • Woodside
  • Yardley
  • Montgomery County
  • Ambler
  • Arcadia University CDP
  • Ardmore
  • Audubon
  • Blue Bell
  • Bridgeport
  • Bryn Athyn
  • Bryn Mawr
  • Collegeville
  • Conshohocken
  • Eagleville
  • East Greenville
  • Evansburg
  • Flourtown
  • Fort Washington
  • Gilbertsville
  • Glenside
  • Green Lane
  • Halfway House
  • Harleysville
  • Hatboro
  • Hatfield
  • Haverford College CDP
  • Horsham
  • Jenkintown
  • King of Prussia
  • Kulpsville
  • Lansdale
  • Maple Glen
  • Montgomeryville
  • Narberth
  • Norristown
  • North Wales
  • Oreland
  • Penn Wynne
  • Pennsburg
  • Plymouth Meeting
  • Pottsgrove
  • Pottstown
  • Red Hill
  • Rockledge
  • Royersford
  • Sanatoga
  • Schwenksville
  • Skippack
  • Souderton
  • Spring House
  • Spring Mount
  • Stowe
  • Telford
  • Trappe
  • Trooper
  • West Conshohocken
  • Willow Grove
  • Woxall
  • Wyncote
  • Wyndmoor
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
View Rating Methodology

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey