Medical malpractice

The tragedy of medical malpractice isn’t something that many people like to talk about, but it’s important for Americans
of all ages to know how to protect themselves in these situations. Medical malpractice is defined as any act of
negligence or omission by a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or other medical staff. In many cases, these
incidents can cause serious and even permanent injury, and in some cases, families may be left to grieve if a loved one
dies due to malpractice.

Those who are dealing with a death in the family or have been left with injuries due to a doctor’s negligence need to
make sure they have the best personal injury lawyers on their side to help them get the treatment they deserve. Here’s
what they should know about medical malpractice and finding the best personal injury lawyer for their case.

How often does medical malpractice occur?
According to numbers from 1984, between 44,000 and 98,000 Americans die in hospitals from preventable medical errors
each year; however, some researchers estimate that this number is fairly low. More recent statistics vary depending on
the study, but the numbers are assumed to be far higher than they once were. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention state that 75,000 people die in hospitals due to infections. Across all medical settings and from all causes,
another study reveals that the number could be as high as 400,000 preventable deaths each year under a doctor’s care.

How often do medical malpractice lawsuits occur?
While there is no single statistic that indicates exactly how many die from these errors, other statistics surrounding
medical malpractice show just how rarely lawsuits are ever carried out. Despite the high number of errors occurring in a
hospitals and doctor’s offices around the country, only one in eight of these errors ever results in a claim.
Approximately 80% of such claims are caused by human error, making medical malpractice the sixth leading cause of
preventable death in the U.S. Four out of every five of those cases leads to serious injury or death, meaning that there
are many more people out there who never get help for this problem.

What is a medical malpractice attorney, and why might you need one?
Personal injury attorneys who handle medical malpractice cases are aware of the issues surrounding medical care gone
wrong. They can assess the injuries or conditions that a person might have and be able to determine how they may be
compensated for their injuries or loss. The best personal injury lawyers might also cover ways to prove emotional
distress if medical malpractice has caused a significant decrease in quality of life for a victim.

Have more questions about medical malpractice? Make sure to speak with an attorney about these issues before taking any
other action against a medical facility or staff member.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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