Medical malpractice happens more often than you expect. You hear news about patients that had their conditions worsen just because of one mistake done by a nurse, physician, or any medical worker. But what will you do if one day it happens to you? It is why it is vital to have basic knowledge about these things. If you want to know more about medical malpractice, you have come to the right place. We suggest keeping reading to understand better the likelihood of getting involved in a medical malpractice case and what you should do once you are already in the middle of it.
Medical Malpractice Statistics
A recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University showed that about 250,000 Americans die every year because of medical errors or mistakes. With these findings, medical errors became the third most leading cause of death in the United States.
Furthermore, statistics also show that at least 15,000 medical practitioners receive medical malpractice lawsuits filed against them, with general surgeons and obstetricians having the highest risk of getting sued. In total, an estimated 85,000 medical malpractice suits are being filed annually.
Experts suggest that every medical practitioner has a higher chance of getting sued the longer they stay in practice. Previous cases show that 1 in 3 physicians receive lawsuits at least once in their career.
These numbers only show that things are unpredictable and that anyone can be the next patient to suffer medical malpractice.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is the act where a medical professional or institution committed negligence or errors that harmed a patient or caused them to suffer even more. For a mistake to be considered as medical malpractice, these grounds should be involved:
• The professional or institution failed to provide services at a standard of care.
• The negligence or error caused injuries to the patient.
• The injuries caused severe damages like physical and emotional sufferings, disability, loss of income, etc.
There are also different types of medical malpractice:
• Misdiagnosis
• Surgical errors
• Birth injuries
• Prescription drug errors
• Delayed diagnosis
• Failure to treat
What To Do When You Are A Victim Of Medical Malpractice?
If you find yourself in a situation where you think a medical provider has been negligent that it caused suffering to a patient, either you or your loved one, immediately contact a lawyer. Keep in mind that not all attorneys will be able to handle your case. You have to find an expert in medical malpractice lawsuits and have years of experience dealing with them. It is to ensure that you are working with a competent lawyer who has a higher chance to win your case for you.
Your lawyer will provide legal advice on the measures you have to take and assist you in submitting the lawsuit to the court. He or she must be able to build a case that can prove that the medical staff has failed to fulfill its duty at a medical standard of care. This includes collecting pieces of evidence and statements from witnesses. It is also your lawyer’s responsibility to represent you during negotiations and court proceedings and ensure that you receive a fair amount of compensation.
If you are from the area and looking for a reliable lawyer to help you with your case, check out medical malpractice lawyers Maryland. Before hiring a lawyer, make sure that they are credible and trustworthy.
Medical Malpractice Claims Conclusion
Accepting accidents and damages due to medical errors and negligence is really hard since they could have been prevented. Yet, every time we enter a hospital, we expect our health workers to take care of us, and them committing any mistake never crossed our minds. However, although they are preventable, these things really do happen. And when this happens to you, hire a team that can help you win your case and get through the suffering.
