Safe Patient Transport
When legal professionals contact us about a safe patient handling matter, they require careful analysis to understand what protocols were established, whether they were followed, and what factors were relevant to an incident. These cases may stem from incidents involving patient lifts, transfers, or repositioning — tasks that require proper technique, appropriate equipment, and adherence to established protocols to minimize risk of injury to both patients and healthcare workers. Our firm provides comprehensive forensic evaluation of patient handling incidents, with expertise in clinical standards, OSHA guidelines, and healthcare ergonomics practices.
Attorneys typically require understanding of whether appropriate mechanical aids and equipment were available, whether staff possessed adequate training, whether the facility's safe patient handling program was implemented as required, and what factors contributed to the incident. We begin investigations by reviewing incident reports, training records, staff statements, and available video footage. We also evaluate the equipment available and used, the patient's clinical condition and mobility status, the physical environment, and facility policies and procedures. Our forensic analysis systematically identifies what factors were relevant to the incident, including equipment availability, training adequacy, protocol compliance, staffing levels, and institutional practices.
Our team includes nurses, industrial hygienists, and biomechanical specialists with expertise in healthcare settings and patient handling practices. We evaluate how facility policies and safe patient handling programs were implemented and assess compliance with applicable standards of care and regulatory requirements. This comprehensive approach enables objective assessment of what circumstances and practices were relevant to the incident and what deviations from applicable standards occurred.
Our forensic reports are thorough, well-documented, and grounded in regulatory standards and scientific methodology. We explain technical and clinical findings in clear language accessible to legal counsel, judges, and juries. Our findings are presented objectively to assist attorneys in understanding the technical aspects of the case. Our experts are experienced in providing deposition and courtroom testimony, presenting findings and analysis clearly and professionally.
Regardless of whether the engagement involves representation of an injured healthcare worker or a healthcare provider, our analysis maintains objectivity and is based on applicable standards, regulatory requirements, and documented evidence.
If you are working on a safe patient handling legal matter and need expert forensic analysis to evaluate workplace safety practices, equipment and training adequacy, protocol compliance, ergonomic factors, or contributing circumstances, we are available to assist. Please contact us to discuss how our expertise in patient handling practices, occupational safety, and healthcare standards can address the specific technical and forensic questions in your matter.
Causes of patient injuries can include:
- Medical malpractice: When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient
- Negligence: Failure to properly monitor a patient, communicate with other healthcare providers, or ensure safe equipment use
- Inadequate training or staffing: Insufficient training of healthcare professionals or understaffed medical facilities can lead to mistakes
- Equipment malfunction: Faulty or outdated medical equipment that causes harm to patients
- Patient-related factors: Pre-existing conditions, allergies, or non-compliance with medical instructions can contribute to injury
Yes, patients can sue for injuries caused by defective medical devices or drugs. These cases are often pursued under product liability law, where the manufacturer, distributor, or designer of the product can be held liable if the device or drug was defectively designed, manufactured, or labeled. Common examples include implantable devices, faulty prosthetics, or drugs with dangerous side effects that were not properly disclosed.
Healthcare facilities can take several steps to prevent patient injuries, such as:
- Training staff regularly on patient safety protocols, infection control, and handling medical equipment
- Implementing proper patient safety protocols for falls, medication administration, surgical procedures, and infection prevention
- Using technology like electronic health records (EHR) to reduce errors in medication or diagnosis
- Regularly maintaining and inspecting equipment to ensure it is functioning properly
- Engaging patients in their own care by ensuring they are well-informed and involved in decision-making
An expert is crucial in patient injury and medical malpractice cases. They provide testimony to establish:
- The standard of care: What a competent healthcare provider should have done in the same circumstances
- Breach of standard: Whether the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care
- Causation: Whether the injury was directly caused by the healthcare provider’s actions or negligence and/or if a medical product was also involved in the incident
Yes, patient injuries can lead to legal claims even if the healthcare provider was not negligent. Strict liability laws may apply in cases involving defective medical devices or products. However, proving negligence is typically required in medical malpractice claims, where the patient must demonstrate that the provider deviated from accepted practices or standards of care.
Ph.D. — Vice President, Biomechanical & Biomedical Engineer
Andrés J. Calderón, Ph.D., has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering. He has worked in the fields of biomechanical and biomedical engineering for over 16 years.
CIH, CSP — Vice President, Industrial Hygiene & Safety Specialist
Michael E. Goldberg, CIH, CSP is a Board Certified Industrial Hygienist with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Occupational Environmental Health and Safety and a Masters of Science Degree in Environmental Health and Industrial Hygiene, with over 19 years…
BS, RN, RNFA, BC-NC — Registered Nurse
Maureen O’Donnell is a Registered Nurse First Assistant and Board-Certified Nurse Coach with over 20 years of nursing experience and a special focus in perioperative services as well as overall health and wellness.
