Ransomware attacks can cripple businesses, factories, and important infrastructure. The hackers behind them don’t seem to mind when their extortion attempts hurt others. They’ve even started attacking hospitals, and their criminal activities are costing lives.
NBC News reported that a recent lawsuit alleges a ransomware attack led to a baby’s death at a hospital. The suit claims that hospital administrators didn’t inform an expectant mother that they were dealing with a ransomware attack when she arrived at the hospital to give birth. Because so many of the hospital’s systems were down, the mother alleged that doctors and nurses couldn’t give her important tests and information about her baby.
The mother alleges that she didn’t receive this information because of hospital malpractice and doctors didn’t tell her that the child’s umbilical cord was wrapped around the child’s neck. The suit, filed by a birth injury lawyer on behalf of the mother, alleges that it led to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) for the baby. The infants brain injury ultimately led to their [his or her] death.
Dangers of Ransomware Attacks in Hospitals
Ransomware attacks have only increased over time, and according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, they’ve spiked during the pandemic. These deadly attacks can cripple a hospital’s health records systems and the administrative systems responsible for scheduling and information sharing.
Hospitals can be easy targets for hackers because of the life and death nature of medical care. Hospital administrators may give in to hacker demands so that they can get access to their systems and the important information they store. Unfortunately, this can sometimes embolden the criminal groups that organize these attacks.
A ransomware attack on a hospital could lead to:
- Confusion about appointments scheduling
- Failures to administer important tests
- Loss of patient records
- Delays in care
- Cancellation of important surgeries
- Longer stays in the hospital
- Loss of life
What to Look Out For When Hospital Software is Attacked
If you’re going to the hospital and they’re suffering a ransomware attack, don’t count on them to let you know what’s happening. Hospital administrators may try to show everything is still fine even if their systems are under attack. Watch for scheduling problems, widespread delays in providing care, and trouble accessing your and other patients’ records. If you encounter these problems, it may be a sign that the hospital is dealing with a ransomware attack. You might want to consider seeking care at an alternative medical facility.
ER Legal’s Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you’ve been injured, the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C., want to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Ransomware attacks are dangerous and criminal activities, and hackers need to be held accountable for what they do. But hospitals have an important role too. Hospitals need to invest in cybersecurity and make sure that their systems have enough protection in place. If they don’t, their systems could go down and your life, or the lives of your family members, could be at risk.
At Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C., we believe that when people injure you, they should answer for their actions. That’s why we deliver the deep experience and significant resources that our clients need every day.
Call us or contact us online now for a free consultation about your case. There’s no obligation, and when you’re working with us, we only get paid when you do. Our Philadelphia birth injury lawyers are ready to help you with all aspects of your case.
