Washington state law provides recourse for you to obtain compensation if a court finds a doctor responsible for an injury to you or loved one. Similar laws could also provide you with methods to reclaim losses caused by a medical institution, such as a hospital.
Just as in general medical malpractice cases, the law in this state is specific when it comes to which hospital errors might qualify for malpractice. Simply because you or someone you care for experienced a side effect or an injury in a hospital due to a medical procedure, this does not mean that the hospital committed any malpractice.
On the other hand, there are injuries you might sustain in a hospital is that you might not think of as malpractice. For example, if you were to slip and fall on a wet floor in a hospital, you might be able to handle your injury case under a very specific premises liability code.
As explained by FindLaw, another thing to consider beyond the injury’s medical costs is the pain and suffering you have endured due to the hospital’s error. To communicate your need, you would usually want to present your case by describing the economic results of the pain and suffering along with the subjective reality of what you endured. This combination of descriptions would help a judge or jury understand the extent to which you suffered and come up with a realistic sum to compensate you.
If this seems intimidating, remember that not every injury would necessitate taking a hospital to court. A large institution might come to a quick settlement if you were to present a well-organized case during negotiations. Every case is different, so please regard this as educational information rather than legal advice.