The healthcare landscape in Pennsylvania is rapidly evolving, and with that comes a new wave of legal complexities. One critical shift is the increasing independence of nurse practitioners (NPs). As midlevel providers gain more autonomy—especially in primary and urgent care—patients may interact with NPs more than physicians. But what happens when that care results in a misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or worse?

If you've suffered harm due to nurse practitioner negligence, you may wonder: can NPs be held legally accountable in the same way as doctors? The short answer: yes. But the legal path is nuanced. This article explores when and how you can file an NP malpractice lawsuit in PA, your legal rights, and what to expect if you're pursuing a midlevel misdiagnosis claim.

The Growing Role—and Legal Responsibility—of NPs in Pennsylvania

Under Pennsylvania law, nurse practitioners (also called Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners or CRNPs) are licensed to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage treatment plans. In many rural and suburban areas, they serve as a patient’s primary care provider. As of recent legislative changes, CRNPs can work with minimal physician oversight under collaborative agreements—and some are pushing for full practice authority.

But with greater responsibility comes legal accountability. When an NP fails to recognize symptoms, misinterprets diagnostic tests, or overlooks critical health warnings, the results can be life-altering. The law allows injured patients to sue nurse practitioners for malpractice just as they would any licensed healthcare provider.

Common Examples of Nurse Practitioner Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis by an NP may not always result in harm. But when it does, the consequences are often serious. Common scenarios that may form the basis of a legal claim include:

• Failure to diagnose a serious condition (e.g., stroke, cancer, infection)
• Incorrect prescription or contraindicated medication
• Misreading lab tests or imaging results
• Delayed referrals to specialists
• Dismissing patient-reported symptoms

If an NP’s actions fell below the accepted standard of care—and that failure caused or worsened your condition—you may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term damages.

How NP Malpractice Cases Are Handled in PA

In Pennsylvania, NP malpractice lawsuits follow a similar process to physician-related claims. However, there are unique considerations:

Standard of Care: NPs are held to the standard of care of a similarly trained and credentialed nurse practitioner—not a physician.

Collaborative Agreements: If a supervising doctor was supposed to be involved in care but wasn’t, both the NP and physician could be liable.

Facility Liability: If the NP was employed by a hospital or urgent care center, the facility may also be named in the lawsuit.

You’ll need to file a Certificate of Merit, which states that a qualified medical expert believes the NP deviated from standard care. This is a crucial step in validating your claim in Pennsylvania courts.

Could Your Experience Be Grounds for a Malpractice Claim?