Medical Malpractice is a Leading Cause of Death in the United States
Medical Malpractice is a Leading Cause of Death in the United States
Many people would be shocked to learn that medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States. But it’s an unfortunate fact. A 2016 Johns Hopkins study found that more than 250,000 patients die annually because of a medical error. Other research claims the actual figure is even higher, with up to 440,000 deaths, since many medical mistakes are hard to track and often go unreported.
A 2017 survey by the University of Chicago and the Lucian Leape Institute revealed that around 21 percent of adults nationwide have personally experienced a medical error. Health care professionals at all levels can be responsible for medical mistakes, whether it is an overworked physician assistant or a surgeon with decades of experience. According to research published in 2018, new registered nurses with under a year of patient care experience play a role in between 49 to 53 percent of medical errors.
Medical Malpractice Deaths are Preventable
Injuries and deaths caused by medical malpractice are all the more distressing because they are preventable. At the outset of their practice, almost all American doctors take an oath to adhere to the guiding principle behind the Latin phrase primum non nocere (meaning “first, do no harm”). When doctors are negligent, they run afoul of this core principle.
People seeking care should never be injured or lose their lives because of the carelessness of medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and physician assistants.
We Handle All Types of Medical Malpractice Claims
Sometimes it is obvious when a medical error occurs. But more often, it is not at all clear to the patient or the patient’s family what exactly caused his or her condition to worsen. Too often, when patients suspect a mistake has happened, they have trouble getting answers to their questions from the hospital or medical personnel. When medical malpractice causes an injury or death, the injured person or grieving family deserves compensation for the loss. As a family-owned law firm, we understand that after such a serious event, you need someone in your corner to fight for your rights.
If you have experienced a personal injury due to the carelessness of others, you shouldn’t have to worry about fees and case screeners. An attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will talk to you about your case at no cost.
The breadth of experience that our law firm offers means that we have represented clients in a wide variety of cases. We represent clients in medical malpractice cases including:
If you suspect medical malpractice has caused you harm, then you should call us for a free consultation about your rights. We can advise you as to whether a medical malpractice lawsuit is in your best interest, and if we represent you in such a lawsuit, we can and will use the legal process to uncover the facts about what happened and get you the answers and compensation you deserve. We have decades of experience handling medical malpractice lawsuits, so we are confident that we can obtain the best outcome possible in your case.
Misdiagnosis is one of the most common types of medical mistakes
And misdiagnosis is still believed to be severely underreported. About 12 million people are misdiagnosed per year, with potential for severe harm in about half of those cases. According to Johns Hopkins, 40,000 to 80,000 deaths occur annually in U.S. hospitals due to complications related to misdiagnosis.
Research published in the journal Diagnosis in 2019 indicated that more than 100,000 U.S. patients die or suffer permanent disabilities each year due to delayed or incorrect medical diagnosis. Infections, cancers and vascular conditions accounted for almost 75 percent of all serious harm related to misdiagnosis. Over one-third of the misdiagnosis errors resulting in death or permanent disability were linked to cancers.
Misdiagnosis can be difficult to uncover fully without a lawsuit. When we represent you in a medical malpractice lawsuit, we will not rest until we find the facts and get you the compensation you deserve.
We are honored to be able to provide families with the legal services they need to obtain compensation. We pledge that our attorneys will treat you with respect, compassion and empathy while working determinedly to hold the negligent party accountable. We believe in providing the level of attention you would expect from a family-owned, family-oriented law firm. We believe in being there for you and your family when you need help the most.
Our promise is simple. You will not pay attorney’s fees unless we make a financial recovery for you in your medical malpractice case. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
When we say we will be there for you, we mean it. You will have an experienced lawyer handling your case. We believe that you should be able to talk to a decision-maker at the firm, not a case screener. An attorney will analyze your situation and advise you of your rights.
There is never a cost to speak with an attorney about your case. Don’t delay getting your free legal consultation: if you fail to pursue your claim in time, your rights could be lost forever.
