Medical Error Continues to Be a Leading Cause of Death
According to a 2017 report compiled by The Commonwealth Fund, our healthcare system consistently ranks far below other high-income countries in areas like Access, Administrative Efficiency, and Health Care Outcomes, despite the fact that we spend more on healthcare than almost any other nation. Over time, this “care gap” has led to alarmingly high rates of medical malpractice, and according to one study performed at Johns Hopkins University, medical error may be the third leading cause of death among U.S. adults.
The National Medical Malpractice Advocacy Association (NMMAA), a non-partisan civil rights organization focused on patient advocacy and healthcare transparency, has designated the month of July as Medical Malpractice Awareness Month. In honor of that observance, our legal team has compiled a few facts you may not have known about medical error in the United States.
Facts about medical malpractice:
- It’s estimated that there are up to 440,000 preventable patient deaths by medical error every year. That translates to 1,200 deaths every day.
- Surveys of physicians have shown that more than 92% of healthcare professionals admit they have committed grave medical errors (or near-misses) with patients.
- Up to 90% of all medical mistakes are caused by human error or negligence.
- 12% of all preventable medical errors lead to a severe injury, permanent disability, or death.
- Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) account for 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths every year, according to the CDC. Many HAIs can be prevented with proper hygiene and sterilization techniques in the healthcare setting.
- The courts still side with doctors over medical malpractice victims: Even in cases with very strong evidence of error, the physician will not be found negligent 50% of the time.
At Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A., we have a tradition of fighting for injury victims that dates back 70 years. Our Fort Lauderdale law firm has won millions in record-setting verdicts and settlements because of our dedication, drive, and tenacity. If you believe that you may have been the victim of a preventable medical error, we have the experience to represent you and hold the right parties accountable.
Our medical malpractice attorneys can help you with the following claims:
- Missed or delayed diagnosis
- Lab test and diagnostic errors
- Surgical errors
- Healthcare-acquired infections
- Incorrect medical treatment
- Electronic Medical Record (EMR) errors
- Prescription and medication errors
- Defective medical devices
For more information about how our team can assist you, contact Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A. at (954) 467-8800 today.
