Last Updated on October 8, 2020 by Michelle Wan
Experts estimate that as many as 98,000 people die in any given year from medical errors that occur in hospitals. That’s more than die from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer or AIDS-three causes that receive far more public attention. Indeed, more people die annually from medication errors alone than from workplace injuries. And, although errors may be more easily detected in hospitals, the problems extend to every health care setting, including day-surgery and outpatient clinics, retail pharmacies, nursing homes and home care. Add the financial cost to the human tragedy, and medical error easily rises to the top ranks of urgent, widespread health problems.
The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) seminal study of preventable medical errors estimated as many as 98,000 people die every year at a cost of $29 billion. If the Centers for Disease Control were to include preventable medical errors as a category, medical malpractice would be the sixth leading cause of death in America.
One out of three patients will be a victim of medical error during a hospital stay. There is always going to be human error, but a third of all patients? That is a lot. In 2018, the top malpractice allegations were as follows: 34.1% misdiagnosis, 21.4% surgical error, and 21.1% treatment errors. Many doctors and nurses admit they are overworked. Hospital systems continue to reduce costs, cut training, and increase hours for their employees, creating a perfect storm of system failures in hospitals.
If you or a loved one has suffered from medical malpractice, please contact us today for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys and dedicated legal staff are here to answer any of your questions.
