West Virginia offers its residents the opportunity to be part of close-knit communities, enjoy beautiful scenery, and lead a laid-back small-town lifestyle. For many, living and working in rural communities is a conscious choice. However, receiving medical care in rural areas is a completely different story. Rural hospitals and clinics often have limited resources, fewer staff members, and fewer specialists, making it challenging to receive safe and high-quality medical treatment. Due to these rural healthcare challenges, patients face a higher risk of medical malpractice.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice in a rural West Virginia hospital, it is essential to understand why that may have been the case — and what you can do to protect your health and your legal rights.

The Reality of Healthcare in Rural West Virginia

West Virginia is one of the most rural states in America. For many families, the closest large medical facility may be hours away. This means that local community hospitals, urgent care centers, and private clinics are typically the first, and sometimes the only, places to turn when medical emergencies arise.

While these institutions are crucial for providing care to local patients, they often have fewer staff and resources than their counterparts in big cities. Rural healthcare facilities commonly struggle with:

• Lack of specialists — Patients may not be able to see a cardiologist, neurologist, or other specialist in a timely manner
• Old equipment and facilities — Outdated technology and limited access to diagnostic equipment
• Short-staffing — Nurses and doctors are spread thin by having to care for more patients
• Financial difficulties — Many rural hospitals face the threat of closure, which places even more strain on staff

These issues can lead to a situation where mistakes are more likely to be made, and patients will suffer as a result.

Increased Malpractice Risks for Rural Patients

When rural healthcare lacks the necessary resources to operate, several specific situations can put patients at risk of medical malpractice. Consider these common scenarios:

Delayed or Missed Diagnoses

It is often the case that in small-town hospitals, patients are misdiagnosed because of the lack of the required diagnostic equipment or a specialist on-site. For example, if an emergency room doesn’t have the tools to perform advanced imaging, it is much more likely for a stroke or internal bleeding to go unnoticed until it is too late.

Delayed Access to Specialists

Chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of sensation could be symptoms of a heart attack, but a patient might not be assessed by a cardiologist until hours later, if at all. This delay could be the difference between receiving life-saving treatment and having to live with permanent injuries.

Overworked and Understaffed 

To keep operating, smaller hospitals will have to rely on fewer doctors and nurses to cover more shifts. As a result, medical professionals are more likely to make mistakes due to fatigue. Some of the most common mistakes are medication errors, charting errors, or failure to monitor patients closely.

Inadequately-Trained Staff

Smaller hospitals that suffer from a lack of staff will often have to make do with traveling nurses and other less experienced doctors and medical staff. While many are experienced professionals, they may not have sufficient time to properly familiarize themselves with the region’s protocols and specific patient needs.

Patient Transfers

If a patient requires specialized treatment, they will likely be transferred to another hospital or medical facility. However, before being transferred to a hospital equipped to handle their situation, patients might be left unattended or even misdiagnosed.

Defining Malpractice in Rural Hospitals

Malpractice is not always easy to spot, and not every bad outcome is a result of it. However, patients are entitled to a high standard of medical care, and malpractice in rural hospitals might include:

• Failure to order certain tests or misreading the results of the ones that have been ordered
• Sending patients home without proper treatment and stabilization
• Treatment delays can cause a patient’s condition to worsen
• Medication errors as a result of understaffing or poor recordkeeping
• Failure to refer or transfer a patient to a specialist in a timely manner

If a mistake like this has caused harm to a patient, they may be able to file a malpractice claim.

The Challenges Associated With Obtaining Justice in Rural Areas

Surprisingly, patients in rural areas often have more challenges when filing malpractice claims against healthcare facilities. Some of the most common are:

Community relationship — Patients are less likely to sue a local hospital where many of their friends and neighbors are employed.

Documentation — Smaller healthcare facilities may not have thorough recordkeeping practices, or their records may be lost or incomplete.

Defense arguments — The lack of resources is often used by hospitals as a defense argument, claiming that they “did the best they could.”

Still, medical providers and hospitals need to be held accountable, regardless of whether the malpractice occurred in Charleston or the most remote region of West Virginia.

How a Malpractice Lawyer Can Help

Malpractice cases against rural hospitals are a serious legal matter. Patients will need skilled lawyers who can investigate their case, collaborate with medical experts, and develop a strong legal strategy. A team of experienced litigators can:

• Analyze medical records for errors and omissions
• Connect with medical experts to testify on the patient’s behalf
• Create a clear timeline of events
• Hold all responsible parties liable, including doctors, nurses, and the hospital
• Pursue compensation for all the costs, including lost income, suffering, medical bills, and long-term care
• Pursue a wrongful death case if a loved one was killed due to medical negligence

For families who have lost a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit might provide financial support and accountability.

What You Can Do Now

If you believe you have been a victim of malpractice at a small-town hospital, you do not have to go through this process alone. The limited resources often used as a defense by the hospitals are no excuse for the harm done to you and your family. Our medical malpractice attorneys have the experience, knowledge, and dedication to find the truth and pursue the justice you deserve. No matter what your case is about, we will be with you every step of the way to hold the negligent providers to account. Contact our office today for immediate assistance.