When you go to the doctor, you expect to feel safe and taken care of. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
The vast majority of doctors are highly educated professionals, but every group has its bad apples, and sometimes the situation can take a terrible turn.
Keep reading to learn the shocking truth about medical malpractice death, and how to find the best attorney to represent you should you decide to pursue a malpractice claim.
Table of Contents
1. Medical Malpractice Is the Third Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.
A study by Johns Hopkins University in 2018 found that medical errors were the third leading cause of death after cancer and heart disease in the United States. Their researchers estimated that 250,000 people or more die each year from medical malpractice.
That sounds extreme, but keep in mind that most medical malpractice errors are not the result of a large event like a botched surgery. Many are caused by hospital neglect, being given the wrong medication, or a misdiagnosis.
2. Medical Malpractice Deaths and Claims Are on the Rise
The number of medical malpractice claims per year has slowly risen in the past few decades. One noticeable trend is that the number of claims seeking restitution above $500,000 has risen by 10 percent since 1997.
An instance of malpractice can cause discomfort or temporary injury, but it also has the possibility to affect you every day for the rest of your life.
Patients who have suffered a life-changing injury due to medical malpractice will seek higher restitution due to the burdensome costs of paying for treatment for the rest of their lives.
Does this mean doctors are making more mistakes today than they were 20 years ago? We can’t say for sure, but it’s a disturbing trend that patients should be aware of.
3. Proving Medical Malpractice in Court Is Harder Than You Think
Even if it seems like a doctor, nurse, or other professional made a big mistake, it’s not always actionable under the law. Typically, a simple human error will not result in restitution.
To win a medical malpractice lawsuit, you don’t need to prove malicious intent on the part of the doctor, nurse, or other professional. Rather, you need to prove that their error was a result of dangerous or wilful negligence.
That’s why medical malpractice claims can be so difficult to win, and why we recommend that you don’t go it alone.
4. You Need a Lawyer for a Medical Malpractice Death Claim
Because of the high threshold to prove medical malpractice under the law, we strongly urge you to pursue the best attorney you can find who specializes in this area.
There are many lawyers out there who will claim that they can give you a win, but these lawsuits are so specific and tricky that you really need to do your research. You should pick the most experienced attorney you can find.
Only about two percent of victims of medical malpractice file a claim. Think about how many actionable claims are out there, but have not yet been pursued. One of them could be you.
Get Help With Your Malpractice Claim
Fortunately, there are professional, experienced, and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyers out there.
If you have suffered as a result of a loved one’s medical malpractice death, you should reach out to a medical malpractice attorney to assess your situation and whether you have a claim. After all, it never hurts to ask.
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