Facts About Medical Malpractice

It’s no secret that medical malpractice is a growing – and a very real – problem here in the United States. With medical malpractice holding down the #3 spot when it comes to leading causes of death in the U.S., it is clear we have a problem. Medical malpractice shows up in all different shapes and forms, from negligence during surgery and misdiagnosis to medication errors. Medical malpractice is certainly not something anyone wants to suffer through, but it happens all the time, leaving patients in much worse condition than when they started. In many instances, medical malpractice can have long-lasting effects that impact the victim’s overall quality of life in a very real way.

Hospitals and other medical centers are supposed to be places of healing that we go to when we are hurt or sick and need the assistance of a knowledgeable, well-educated medical professional. However, every single year thousands of Americans die as a result of avoidable medical errors. While the majority of doctors and other medical professionals are capable, caring, and trusting people who work hard to ensure the health of their patients, this isn’t always the case. Medical errors can be extremely devastating, to both the patient and their loved ones.

In order to give you a better idea of just how serious of a problem medical malpractice is in the United States, let’s go over some of the most interesting facts about this issue:

• It is estimated that more than 100,000 people die in the U.S. every year as a result of medical misdiagnosis
• Nearly 200,000 Americans die in hospitals because of preventable errors
• Approximately 15,000-19,000 lawsuits are filed each year in the U.S. claiming medical malpractice or negligence
• The most common types of hospital medical malpractice are:
  • Medication errors
  • Medical errors
  • Infections
  • Objects retained during surgery
  • Post-surgical infections
  • Pressure ulcers/bed sores
• Two-thirds of physicians who make 10 or more medical negligence payments are never disciplined
• Almost half of all U.S. hospitals have never reported a disciplinary action against one of their doctors
• 80% of all medical malpractice lawsuits brought to court end up with no payouts for the victims
• In order for there to be malpractice, two things must be proven:
  • It must be proven that the doctor made a mistake
  • It must be proven that the mistake resulted in harm
• 80% of the problems that occur in our healthcare system are a result of human error and therefore preventable
• Approximately .3 percent of healthcare spending in the United States is spent on medical malpractice
• The yearly cost of treating medical errors that could have been prevented is about $29 billion
• 1 out of every 3 patients will be a victim of an error during a hospital visit

Medical malpractice lawsuits are not easy to prove and can be quite challenging due to the large amount of money behind hospitals and doctors in general. If you or a loved one is the victim of medical malpractice, please contact Rad Law Firm today. Our knowledgeable Dallas medical malpractice lawyers will go over your case and ensure you understand your rights and how to proceed.