If you were injured or if your condition worsened after receiving treatment at University of Michigan Health–Sparrow or McLaren Greater Lansing, you’re not alone. These are two of the busiest medical facilities in mid-Michigan, treating thousands of patients each year. And while most people receive quality care, mistakes do happen and the consequences can be life-changing.
At The Clark Law Office, we help patients and families get answers after a medical error. Whether you experienced a surgical complication, misdiagnosis, or a birth injury, we can help you understand your rights and determine whether you have a valid malpractice claim under Michigan law.
- Been discharged too early despite lingering symptoms
- Experienced complications after surgery or childbirth
- Felt like your concerns were ignored or minimized
- Been given the wrong medication or delayed treatment
- Sensed that your care was rushed or disorganized
If any of this sounds familiar and it happened at Sparrow or McLaren Greater Lansing, you’re not being paranoid. You’re being smart. Studies show that medical errors are one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death in the U.S., and many patients don’t realize they’ve been harmed until it’s too late. The next section highlights the most common types of hospital mistakes that could be grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Medical Errors That Can Lead to a Malpractice Claim
Not every bad outcome means malpractice occurred. But when a preventable mistake causes serious harm, you may have a valid claim. These errors often happen in high-pressure environments like emergency rooms, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units and many go unreported unless the patient takes action. Below are some of the most common medical mistakes that form the basis of malpractice lawsuits in Michigan:
| ⚠️ Type of Error | 🏥 How It Happens | 🤕 Potential Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 🪓 Surgical errors | Wrong-site surgery or tool left behind | Long-term disability, repeat surgery |
| ❌ Misdiagnosis or delayed dx | Failure to run tests or misread results | Disease progression, lost treatment time |
| 💊 Medication mistakes | Wrong drug, wrong dose, or bad interaction | Overdose, allergic reaction, organ damage |
| 👶 Birth injuries | Delayed C-section or mishandled delivery | Cerebral palsy, nerve damage, HIE |
| 😴 Anesthesia complications | Improper dosage or airway issues | Brain injury, cardiac arrest, coma |
These aren’t just “bad luck” situations, they’re often preventable errors caused by negligence, rushed care, or poor communication between hospital staff. If something like this happened to you or a loved one, you have the right to ask questions and explore your legal options.
Does It Matter If the Hospital Is Sparrow or McLaren?
From a legal perspective, your rights as a patient don’t change based on which hospital you were treated at but the details of your case might. Both University of Michigan Health–Sparrow and McLaren Greater Lansing are major medical providers in mid-Michigan. While they differ in size, structure, and ownership, the legal standards for malpractice are the same: if a provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and caused harm, they can be held liable.
🏥 Here’s what you should know:
- Sparrow is now part of the University of Michigan Health system and remains one of Lansing’s busiest hospitals
- McLaren is a private, nonprofit system with its own internal policies and risk management team
- Both facilities rely on large networks of doctors, nurses, residents, and specialists. Mistakes can happen in any department, from the ER to labor and delivery
Whether you were treated at Sparrow’s downtown campus, McLaren’s surgical center, or an affiliated urgent care clinic, you have the right to hold negligent providers accountable. The key is knowing whether what happened to you crosses the line into malpractice and taking the right steps if it does.
How to Know If What Happened Was Actually Malpractice
Not every bad outcome is considered malpractice under Michigan law. To qualify, the injury must have resulted from a provider’s failure to meet the accepted medical standard of care, not just a simple complication or unexpected result. If you’re unsure whether you have a case, ask yourself the following:
| ❓ Question to Ask | ✅ Yes = Possible Malpractice |
|---|---|
| 🧪 Was the treatment below accepted standards? | ✔️ |
| ⚠️ Did the error directly cause harm? | ✔️ |
| 🚫 Could the injury have been prevented? | ✔️ |
| 🧑⚕️ Would a reasonable provider have acted differently? | ✔️ |
⚠️ Note: Only an experienced medical malpractice attorney can give you a definitive answer based on your records, expert input, and a full case review. But if you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, it’s time to speak with a lawyer.
What to Do If You Suspect Medical Malpractice in Lansing
If you believe something went wrong during your care at Sparrow or McLaren, don’t wait for the hospital to admit a mistake. These institutions have legal teams and risk managers whose job is to protect their interests, not yours. Here’s what to do if you suspect you were the victim of medical negligence:
- Write down everything you remember. Include dates, names of providers, symptoms, and what was said to you.
- Request your medical records. These will be critical in showing what treatment was provided and what may have been missed.
- Avoid signing paperwork or settlements. Some facilities offer early resolutions that limit your legal rights.
- Get a second opinion. If another provider confirms that something went wrong, it strengthens your case.
- Speak with a Lansing medical malpractice lawyer. An attorney can help you determine whether you have a claim, how strong it is, and what compensation may be available.
Even if you’re unsure whether malpractice occurred, don’t ignore your gut feeling. It’s better to ask questions now than to wait until the legal window has closed.
Talk to a Lansing Medical Malpractice Lawyer Who Knows the Local Hospitals
At The Clark Law Office, we’ve spent years helping patients throughout the Lansing area recover after serious medical mistakes. Whether your case involves a misdiagnosis, surgical complication, or preventable injury at a local hospital, we understand how these claims work and how to hold providers accountable. We’re familiar with the systems in place at University of Michigan Health–Sparrow and McLaren Greater Lansing, and we know what it takes to push back against large institutions and their insurers.
If you’re looking for guidance after a hospital-related injury, don’t wait. Reach out to an attorney who understands medical cases in Lansing and can help you take the next step with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice in Lansing
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice in Lansing
Possibly. If you were sent home too soon and suffered preventable complications as a result, that could be grounds for a malpractice claim. A legal review can help determine if the discharge violated the standard of care.
Can I sue a hospital in Lansing if a doctor made a mistake?
Yes, in some cases. While doctors may be independent contractors, hospitals can still be liable if their staff contributed to the error or failed to respond appropriately.
What’s the time limit for filing a medical malpractice claim in Michigan?
Generally, you have two years from the date of the alleged malpractice—or six months from when the injury was discovered, whichever is later. Certain exceptions may apply, so it’s best to act quickly.
What if I don’t have proof that something went wrong?
You don’t need proof upfront. An experienced attorney can obtain your medical records, consult with experts, and investigate what happened to determine whether negligence occurred.
Does it matter whether the error happened at Sparrow or McLaren?
Not when it comes to your legal rights. Both hospitals are held to the same standard of care under Michigan law. What matters is whether the provider failed to meet that standard and caused harm.
