What You Should Know About Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence and malpractice are serious issues with serious consequences. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice or negligence, our lawyers may be able to help you.

According to a 2000 report by the Institute of Medicine, medical negligence accounts for nearly 100,000 deaths annually. This figure does not include deaths because of preventable medical negligence in doctors’ offices, private clinics, and similar medical facilities.

Establishing A Medical Malpractice Claim

It is important to remember that a dissatisfactory medical outcome is not necessarily equivalent to medical malpractice or negligence.

To successfully establish a medical negligence or malpractice claim, our lawyers must show that the defendant failed to act with reasonable care and deviated from good and accepted standards of medical practice. Further, we must show that the plaintiff was injured because of the defendant’s negligence.

Financial Entitlements In Medical Malpractice Cases

Victims of medical malpractice may recover for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and past and future loss of wages. If the case involves a wrongful death; loss of financial support, insurance benefits and marriage benefits; and end-of-life costs and other costs associated with death, it may also qualify along with the decedent’s conscious pain and suffering.

Hospital Error Statistics

Hospital error statistics released by the Institute of Medicine show that between 44,000 and 98,000 people die in hospitals annually because of preventable medical errors. These errors may include medication mistakes, errors in surgery, improperly administered anesthetics and other similar issues. Any of these scenarios may be grounds for a medical negligence or malpractice suit.

Medication Errors

When medical professionals over- or under administer medication or administer the wrong drugs, the consequences can be harmful and even deadly. Overdoses, allergic reactions and other serious problems are the possible results of such an oversight.

Surgical Errors

Errors in surgery can lead to anything from amputating the wrong limb to hemorrhages and even death during surgery. Any such scenario deserves the immediate attention of a medical malpractice lawyer.

Anesthesia Errors

Errors involving under administered anesthesia prior to surgery can mean excruciating pain during a procedure. Overadministered anesthesia is even more serious as it can easily lead to death.

Contact Our Medical Malpractice And Negligence Lawyers

If you have been a victim of medical malpractice or negligence, it is crucial that you act quickly to protect your financial future. Let our firm battle on your behalf through negotiation with the insurance companies or in court. Contact us today.