Despite decades of efforts to improve patient safety, medical errors still plague U.S. hospitals with surgical patients most at risk. A recent BMJ study shows that more than one-third of all patients admitted for surgery experience adverse events, with one in five of those events being caused by medical errors. These shocking numbers illustrate one of the biggest challenges in medicine today: how to keep patients safe in an increasingly complex medical landscape.
If you or a loved one was seriously harmed because of the negligent care of a medical professional, contact a local medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your legal rights. You may be able to pursue a medical malpractice claim to recover damages.
The Devastating Impact of Medical Errors
Medical errors including medication errors, surgical errors, and communication breakdowns can have a life-changing effect on victims, including disability or death.
The recent study examined data from more than 1,000 surgical patients in Massachusetts hospitals, and found that almost 40 percent suffered adverse events. The most common issues were related to surgeries, including healthcare-associated infections and medication errors. Half of these events were considered serious or life threatening. Even more shocking, about 80 percent of these errors were considered potentially or definitely preventable errors. These numbers show that despite advancements such as electronic medical records and pre-operative checklists, patient safety is far from assured.
Why Medical Errors are Still Such a Pervasive Problem
While the healthcare system has taken a number of steps to improve patient safety through new technologies and education, modern medicine is complex, which presents challenges for health care providers. Patient populations are more diverse and sicker than ever, making medical care delivery more challenging.
In addition, public and professional awareness around this problem is inadequate. It’s time for the medical community to address these longstanding problems with a renewed sense of urgency. Increasing transparency, more robust safety measures, and routine case reviews for adverse events could help reduce preventable harm.
Patient Strategies to Minimize Medical Errors
While most of the responsibility lies with hospitals and medical professionals, patients can take proactive steps to protect themselves. Experts suggest:
- Keeping a detailed record of medications and dosages.
- Asking questions about surgical risks and post-operative care.
- Bringing a trusted friend or family member to the hospital to act as an advocate.
The Role of Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Medical errors that result in injury can leave families with overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. In these situations, a medical malpractice lawyer can be an advocate for the injured party and their family. Medical Malpractice attorneys specialize in pursuing compensation on behalf of families who are suffering due to negligent medical care that led to adverse outcomes.
Medical malpractice cases are often complex, requiring expert knowledge of healthcare standards and local malpractice laws to navigate effectively. Lawyers can investigate the circumstances surrounding an injury, gather evidence, and consult medical experts to build a strong case. Their goal is to secure settlements or verdicts that compensate victims for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
In cases involving catastrophic harm or wrongful death, settlements can be a lifeline, providing financial stability and justice for families. In addition, continued pressure for patient safety reforms will ensure that more families do not suffer similar losses in the future.
Seek the Help of a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If you were injured because of medical negligence or lost a loved one due to a preventable medical error, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced medical malpractice attorney fight for justice on your behalf. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a medical negligence lawyer. Call the most experienced practicing medical malpractice attorneys Bellingham has at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing people injured by medical negligence in Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County, and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
