
Best Lawyers in America
O'Steen MacLeod Combs PLC is recognized by Best Lawyers as one of the top law firms in America. Our firm was designated as a Tier 1 law firm in Personal Injury Litigation in the organization's "Best Law Firms" rankings for 2025.
Top-Rated Law Firm
O'Steen MacLeod Combs is rated AV Preeminent by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. This is the highest possible designation and is reserved for law firms with the strongest legal ability and highest ethical standards.

Medical Malpractice Claims for Hospital Emergency Room Errors
Medical mistakes happen more frequently in emergency rooms than any other medical setting. Although one reason for this is the frantic pace of ERs and the wide range of medical conditions evaluated in this setting, other institutional factors affect the care provided in hospital emergency rooms.
Approximately 60 percent of emergency room mistakes are a result of human error. This sometimes occurs because emergency rooms often are staffed with part-time healthcare providers who lack the experience or training to work in an ER. Decisions must be made quickly and under pressure and this relies on sound decision-making from the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Other mistakes are attributed to organizational issues that go beyond the frontline workers and reflect corporate failures.
Arizona Courts Apply Heightened Burden of Proof for Emergency Room Lawsuits
Arizona law makes it more difficult to pursue a medical malpractice action against an emergency room or ER physician than other malpractice lawsuits.
In most medical medical malpractice cases, the patient or patient's family need only prove the claim by a "preponderance of the evidence." In lay terms, this means they must demonstrate that malpractice was more likely to have occurred than not. With respect to ER care, a patient must prove the malpractice by "clear and convincing evidence." This represents a higher burden of proof.
We understand the special complexities of medicine and law that apply to medical malpractice cases against ER providers. We have the best experts to evaluate and prove claims where a patient was harmed due to care at an emergency room that fell below the standard of care. We also have the resources to stand toe-to-toe with the largest healthcare providers and insurance companies.
Please call or email us for a confidential, no-obligation consultation about your medical malpractice matter. Our experienced staff of medical malpractice lawyers are ready to help you now, regardless of where you live.
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a hospital emergency room, please contact us for a free consultation to discuss your potential medical malpractice claim. You can call us toll-free at 800.883.8888 or complete our online contact form.
Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Free Consultation
Please call or e-mail us for a confidential, no-obligation consultation about your medical malpractice matter. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers are ready to help you now, wherever you live. Put our more than 50 years of legal experience on your side. We would like to help you.

Our Lawyers Can Help
In the context of all medical services delivered in Arizona, serious medical errors are relatively uncommon. But, when they occur, the consequences can be devastating—emotionally and financially—to those affected. Our medical malpractice lawyers have helped victims to receive everything they deserve for their losses.

Our Law Firm's History
O'Steen MacLeod Combs originally was formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1974. This innovative law firm, which described itself as a "legal clinic," was dedicated to providing affordable legal services to people who traditionally had little or no access to lawyers. Since then, our injury lawyers have helped thousands of individuals and families protect their legal rights.