Preventable medical errors are the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately 98,000 deaths a year and costing 29 billion dollars according to a study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).
It is estimated there are nearly 15 million incidents of medical harm each year in this country. These statistics are scary because they prove that negligence by medical providers happens far more often then most of us think. Why do these numbers catch most people by surprise? For the last decade insurance and healthcare companies have been waging an active campaign to portray medical negligence cases as frivolous and doing nothing more than causing the cost of healthcare to rise, and driving medical professionals out of the field. However, nothing can be more opposite from the truth. In 2006 researchers at Harvard University found that 97% of negligence claims involved injury, and 80% resulted in major disability or death.
When you consult with a medical expert you expect them to be competent and to be able to recommend a course of treatment. And everyday in this country lives are saved and sicknesses cured by those in our medical community. However, as the statistics above show, there are healthcare providers out there who are not competent and fail to meet the standards of care which are expected of medical professionals.
When a physician or other healthcare provider is determined to be negligent, it means that they have failed to use the same degree of skill and learning, under the same or similar circumstances, that are used by other members of the medical community. Common ways that negligence occurs is through failures to make timely diagnoses, delays in ordering appropriate treatment, and errors in medication doseages and surgical procedures.
Medical Malpractice is a Personal Injury
Some people delay seeking legal advice after suffering from a bad medical procedure because of personal feelings toward their health provider or out of concern about litigation’s effects on rising healthcare costs. It may be of some interest of you to know that studies have found little correlation between malpractice payouts and premiums paid by medical professionals. In fact, a May 2007 study by the Missouri Insurance Commissioner found that while malpractice claims and payouts declined, those savings were not passed along in the form of lower malpractice premiums or healthcare costs. Instead the surplus amassed by these insurance companies increased to an all time high! (Source: No Basis for High Insurance Rates, May 2007).
We Can Help
If you believe you or someone you know has been a victim of medical negligence do not delay in contacting an experienced medical malpractice attorney. They will carefully investigate and confirm whether the standard of care was breached in your case. If the facts prove that you received satisfactory medical care, you will have comfort in knowing your healthcare provider acted in your best interest. However, if it is determined medical negligence occurred, having an experienced advocate on your side can allow you to focus on your recovery knowing you have an someone ready to work hard to help you receive fair compensation for your injury.
For your free consultation, call (913) 677-1999
