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With an estimated 44,000 to 98,000 preventable inpatient deaths occurring each year in the U.S., it’s no surprise that many people are wondering what’s going on.
Medical malpractice in the United States is more common than you may think. These medical malpractice statistics shed some light on just how often patient safety is compromised through medical negligence:
- Each year in the U.S., nearly $4 billion is paid in medical malpractice claims
- Florida ranks in the top five states for the highest number of medical malpractice lawsuits
- Florida is the third-largest state in terms of medical malpractice premiums
- In a recent year, Florida had payouts of over $203 million for 670 malpractice suits
- The average claim value for medical malpractice cases is $304,000
That’s a lot of money for a lot of avoidable medical errors. Why are there so many reported medical malpractice claims? Our Palm Beach Gardens medical malpractice lawyer takes a deeper dive.
The most common medical errors in Palm Beach Gardens
Medical errors and instances of negligence that cross the threshold to malpractice fall into several broad categories. If you or someone you love suffered harm due to one of these types of malpractice, you may be eligible for a large settlement.
Medical misdiagnosis
When a doctor makes the wrong diagnosis, the patient may miss a life-saving window for early intervention treatments. Or, you may be diagnosed with a condition you don’t have and be subjected to painful, invasive, and unnecessary medical procedures.
Surgical errors
A surgical error is one of the scariest types of malpractice. The surgeon may operate on the wrong part of the body, or one of the techs or surgical nurses may leave an instrument or surgical supply inside a patient. Uncontrolled bleeding and nerve damage are other common surgical errors. Improperly administered anesthetic also falls into this category.
Prescription mistakes
There are several ways patients can be harmed by medication mismanagement. The doctor may prescribe the wrong dosage, a medication to which the patient is allergic, or drugs that interact negatively with one another.
Or, the pharmacy may be responsible for the error, including giving the wrong medication. Any of these mistakes could be fatal to the patient or cause irreparable harm to their heart, liver, or kidneys.
Hospital-contracted conditions and injuries
Falls are one of the most common types of facility-caused injuries. Short staffing, improperly performed lifts and transfers, or inattention to patient needs can all result in patients trying to get up and walk by themselves when they really shouldn’t. Staff negligence may also include removing central lines, failure to properly administer antibiotics, or not turning patients to prevent bed sores.
Failure to uphold strict cleanliness standards causes infectious diseases to quickly spread, especially in a facility where patients have compromised immune systems.
Birth injuries
What should be a time of joy is instead a scary, sometimes fatal, nightmare for mother and baby. Childbirth malpractice includes failure to diagnose placental abnormalities, failure to order a C-section in emergencies, surgical errors, uncontrolled bleeding, and negligent baby care.
Proving medical malpractice usually requires a strong case, based on the testimony of medical experts, plus clear evidence that the care you received failed to meet the standard of care indicated by the American Medical Association.
Talk to a Palm Beach Gardens medical malpractice lawyer today
Proving medical malpractice isn’t easy. You’ll need medical records, testimony from independent medical experts, and evidence that the provider failed to meet the standard of care expected under Florida law. You don’t need to figure this out alone.
Have you suffered injury due to surgical errors or harm because a medical care provider failed to provide the expected standard of care required of their position? We can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath today at (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.