Medical Mistakes in Pittsburgh: What You Need to Know About Hospital Negligence

Every year, thousands of patients across the United States are harmed by medical errors—and Pittsburgh is no exception. Whether it happens in a large teaching hospital or a smaller community facility, a medical mistake can change the course of a person’s life forever. From misdiagnoses to surgical errors and failures in post-operative care, hospital negligence can have devastating consequences for patients and their families. This article explores the landscape of hospital malpractice in Pittsburgh, what trends are emerging locally, and what rights patients have when something goes wrong.

Understanding Hospital Negligence

Hospital negligence refers to preventable errors or lapses in judgment made by healthcare providers or hospital systems that result in harm to a patient. These mistakes can occur at any point in the treatment process—from admission and diagnosis to surgery, medication management, or discharge.

Common examples include:

• Failing to diagnose a condition in time
  
• Operating on the wrong body part
  
• Administering the wrong medication or dosage
  
• Inadequate monitoring of patients post-surgery
  
• Discharging a patient too soon
  
• Allowing infections to spread due to poor sanitation
  

While not every adverse outcome is the result of negligence, it’s important to recognize when medical care has fallen below the accepted standard. When hospitals or staff breach their duty of care, and that breach causes harm, it may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

Pittsburgh’s Hospital Landscape

Pittsburgh is home to some of the state’s largest and most respected healthcare systems, including UPMC, Allegheny Health Network, and VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. These institutions provide care to millions of people annually, but they are not immune to errors.

According to publicly available hospital safety data, facilities in Western Pennsylvania report a range of patient safety incidents each year, including surgical site infections, complications from falls, and preventable readmissions. While some hospitals maintain relatively high safety ratings, others have been flagged for issues such as poor infection control and delays in diagnosis.

A study published in the Journal of Patient Safety estimates that between 210,000 and 440,000 patients each year die from preventable hospital errors in the U.S.—making it the third leading cause of death nationwide. Locally, attorneys and patient advocates report a steady stream of cases involving failure to diagnose sepsis, missed strokes, anesthesia errors, and birth injuries—highlighting systemic concerns across institutions.

Why Medical Errors Happen

Medical errors often result from a combination of factors rather than a single misstep. In many hospital negligence cases, underlying issues such as understaffing, communication failures, and insufficient training contribute to poor outcomes.

For example, a nurse may misread a chart because of unclear handwriting or confusing digital records. A resident may be stretched too thin during an overnight shift and miss key symptoms of internal bleeding. A patient may be sent home without adequate instructions because discharge protocols were rushed. These failures may seem like small administrative oversights, but in the world of medicine, they can be deadly.

In teaching hospitals like those affiliated with UPMC, the constant flow of rotating residents and specialists can also lead to gaps in continuity of care. While most providers act with integrity, high-pressure environments and a lack of standardized procedures can increase the risk of error.

Patient Rights in Pennsylvania

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a suspected medical mistake, it’s important to understand your rights under Pennsylvania law.

First, hospitals and healthcare professionals owe patients a duty to provide care that meets the accepted standard in the medical community. When that duty is breached and injury results, patients may pursue compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

To succeed in such a case, you must generally show:

• A doctor-patient relationship existed
  
• The provider was negligent (i.e., failed to meet the standard of care)
  
• That negligence caused the injury
  
• The injury led to specific damages (e.g., medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering)
  Pennsylvania also requires that a Certificate of Merit be filed early in the litigation process, confirming that a qualified medical expert believes the care in question likely fell below the standard expected.
• The statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Pennsylvania is two years from the date the patient knew or reasonably should have known that an injury occurred as a result of negligence. In cases involving minors or in situations where the injury was not immediately discoverable, the timeline may be extended—but waiting too long can forfeit your rights entirely.

What to Do If You Suspect Hospital Negligence

If you or a loved one has experienced a serious or unexplained injury during medical treatment, there are a few steps you should take immediately:

1. Request your medical records.
   Under federal law, patients are entitled to a copy of their records. These documents are essential in understanding what happened and when.
2. Get a second opinion.
   Another doctor can help confirm whether a mistake occurred and what the likely cause was.
3. Keep documentation.
   Save all medical bills, discharge papers, prescriptions, and written communication with healthcare providers. These can all support your claim.
4. Speak with a medical malpractice attorney.
   An experienced lawyer can help determine whether you have a valid case and guide you through the process of investigation and, if appropriate, litigation.
   

Looking Ahead: Improving Patient Safety

While holding hospitals accountable is essential, the ultimate goal is to improve patient safety and prevent future harm. Across the country, efforts are underway to enhance hospital protocols, encourage open disclosure of medical errors, and invest in technologies that reduce human error.

In Pittsburgh, hospitals are increasingly being urged to share quality metrics, involve patients in decision-making, and create cultures that prioritize safety over reputation. Families who come forward and seek justice not only protect their own rights—they play a role in pushing the system toward better care for everyone.

About Aron Solomon

A Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist for his groundbreaking op-ed in The Independent exposing the NFL’s “race-norming” policies, Aron Solomon, JD, is a globally recognized thought leader in law, media, and strategy. As Chief Strategy Officer for AMPLIFY, he leverages his deep expertise to shape the future of legal marketing. Aron has taught entrepreneurship at McGill University and the University of Pennsylvania and was honored as a Fastcase 50 recipient, recognizing him among the world’s top legal innovators. A prolific commentator on law, business, and culture, his insights regularly appear in Newsweek, The Hill, Crunchbase News, and Literary Hub. He has also been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Fortune, Forbes, CBS News, CNBC, USA Today, ESPN, TechCrunch, BuzzFeed, Venture Beat and countless other leading global media outlets.