Medical Malpractice is Far More Common Than Malpractice Lawsuits
by
Accident & Injury Medical Malpractice
Summary: In 2016, researchers at Johns Hopkins found that the number of deaths caused by medical error in the U.S. was more than 250,000 per year. That statistic made headlines across the country, but it was little surprise to those familiar with the shortcomings of our healthcare system.
Medical malpractice attorneys know all too well how rampant medical errors are in the U.S. They also understand that only a fraction of medical malpractice victims are even aware they have a legitimate claim and choose to pursue it. Even with the high number of deaths and medical errors in our healthcare system, people are often too intimidated to consider filing a malpractice claim.
While not every case of medical error constitutes malpractice, many errors are caused by carelessness. When a patient is injured by a negligent healthcare professional, they should know they have legal options at their disposal. A good medical malpractice attorney will be able to walk the client through the process of filing and pursuing a claim, all with the goal of obtaining full and fair compensation and getting the client’s life back to “normal.”
Don't Be Afraid to Talk to a Lawyer
When you talk to a lawyer, you should understand a few key pieces of information.
- Not all medical errors meet the requirements necessary for a medical malpractice case, so it is important that you meet with an experienced malpractice attorney who can help you navigate whether you have a case and, if so, who is responsible.
- A medical malpractice claim can be filed against a particular health care provider or any number of responsible providers. There is also the possibility that you might have an “institutional” claim against a healthcare entity like a hospital or healthcare system if there a failure to institute or follow proper protocols.
- A big component of any medical malpractice case is being able to prove it was a healthcare provider’s negligence, and not something else, that caused your injury. Here too, it is critical that you find an experienced medical malpractice attorney who can identify and explain the relationship between the healthcare provider’s carelessness and your injury.
If the healthcare system is going to change, victims of malpractice can’t be afraid to take action and hold negligent healthcare professionals accountable. Unfortunately, many individuals feel overwhelmed by the idea of filing a medical malpractice claim. However, we all need to be reminded that, by reporting errors and filing claims, victims of medical malpractice are both seeking justice for themselves and simultaneously doing their part in bringing about an improved healthcare environment that delivers a better quality of care.
