Today’s medical technology is advanced. But, medical errors are still prevalent. Medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death across the United States. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare practitioner causes an injury to a patient by providing inadequate medical care. Medical malpractice cases are more complex as compared to other personal injury cases. Medical negligence continues to be a big issue in the U.S. People who have the victim of medical negligence should file a lawsuit. By filing a claim, you’ll be able to receive the maximum possible compensation for your pain and suffering.
Facts About Medical Malpractice
To help you know more about medical negligence, let’s go over a few facts.
- Medical malpractice or negligence is the third leading cause of death in the United States
- Medication errors, medical errors, infections, post-surgical infections, bedsores are a few common types of hospital medical malpractice
- About 100,000 deaths occur in the United States due to medical errors each year
- Estimated 19,000 medical negligence lawsuits filed in the United States each year
- 1 out of every 3 patients will be a victim of medical error during a hospital visit
- The annual cost of treating medical errors that can be prevented is 29$ billion
Common Consequences of Medical Negligence
- Birth defects
- Disability
- Infertility
- Chronic pain
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Lost wages
- Wrongful death
Causes of Medical Malpractice
Let’s take a look at some of the top causes of medical negligence lawsuits.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is the #1 cause of medical malpractice. When healthcare professionals are failed to provide the appropriate treatment to a patient to prevent severe personal injury. More than 12 million people are misdiagnosed in hospitals across the U.S.
Surgical Errors- Surgical errors are common causes of medical negligence. 1 out of 3 medical malpractice cases occurs due to surgical errors. Surgical errors can have challenging consequences leading to a fatal injury.
Medication Errors- More than 7,000-9,000 people die as a result of medication errors in the United States each year. Medication errors occur when a healthcare professional prescribes the wrong medication or the wrong dosage to a patient.
Birth Injuries- Birth injury is one of the most devastating causes of medical negligence. The most common medical issues associated with birth injuries include improper use of forceps during childbirth, surgical problems during a C-Section, and oxygen deficit to the infant.
Anesthesia Errors- Anesthesia is given to a patient before sending him/her into surgery. It can be dangerous if not given correctly. The most common anesthesia errors include administering too much or too little anesthesia, failure to monitor the patient after giving anesthesia, failure to inform the patient about preoperative procedures, and failure to research the patient’s medical history.
If you or your family member have sustained fatal injuries due to medical negligence, speak to one of the professional attorneys or lawyers. A professional Medical Malpractice Lawyer Philadelphia can help you obtain adequate compensation for your loss.