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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.
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:
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 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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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