Are Hospitals Liable For Hiring Incompetent Doctors?

In many medical malpractice cases, the hospital where the incident occurred is often named in the lawsuit. In some cases it is because the hospital shares some negligence for the patient’s injury. Sometimes it is because the hospital hired an incompetent doctor.

Hospitals can be held legally responsible for hiring and retaining incompetent physicians, including those who are improperly credentialed. In the state of Connecticut, we have a law that mandates physicians to provide information on any medical malpractice judgments to the Connecticut Department of Health before a license to practice can be issued.

Just because a physician has had a medical malpractice judgment against their record, does not mean he or she is an incompetent doctor. A pattern of negligence or poor care that the hospital should have been aware of can make the hospital liable should an injury occur.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health offers this tool to the public to research any person or facility that falls under its jurisdiction.

If you are questioning the level of competency and care that you or a loved one received while at a Connecticut hospital call our office immediately. There is a statute of limitations, typically two years (although there are some exceptions), that restricts the amount of time you have to file a claim