How often would you say that medical malpractice happens? When you go to the hospital or the doctor’s office, is it really something that you’re worried about?
If you’re like most people, this fear rarely crosses your mind. Even if you know that minor mistakes may happen, you probably don’t worry about serious or even fatal errors. However, it may be wise to take a look at what the statistics tell us.
A top-three cause of death
Concerning studies have found that medical errors may actually be the third leading cause of death for Americans, trailing only the well-known threats of cancer and heart disease. Despite getting much less press, these errors continue to happen.
Part of the reason for this is that a “medical error” can mean a lot of different things. It could mean a doctor who accidentally gives a patient the wrong medication. It could be a surgeon who abuses alcohol and makes mistakes during a procedure. It could be a nurse who is supposed to monitor a person’s vital signs and simply forgets to do it.
The trouble is that people in a medical setting are already likely in a fragile state. They’re injured. They’re sick. They’re having a procedure done. Doctors need to be held to a standard, and it’s clear that falling short of that standard can be deadly.
Have you been injured or lost a loved one?
If a loved one has died due to a medical mistake or if you’ve been left with serious injuries, you must know what legal options you have. While money won’t restore your health or your loved one, it can help provide for your future.