You may have heard horror stories about botched surgeries, prescription errors and birth injuries, and many people assume that these mistakes are exceedingly rare. However, a recent study from Johns Hopkins University shows that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States.
JHU researchers discovered that more than 700 people die every day due to medical mistakes. That adds up to 250,000 deaths per year. A small oversight by a health-care worker can have devastating consequences. Victims who are fortunate enough to survive medical malpractice often endure chronic pain and permanent disabilities.
If you suffered an injury or lost a family member due to medical malpractice, contact Morris Bart, LLC. An accident attorney in Shreveport will help you claim compensation for lost income, medical bills and other damages. Our legal team has been representing the injured for more than 30 years. Call 800-537-8185 today to schedule a free consultation.
5 Common Medical Mistakes that Cause Serious Injuries
Most nurses, doctors and pharmacists provide diligent care, but fatigue, poor communication and other factors can lead to tragic errors. Medical workers often have demanding schedules and shifting patient lists. All it takes is one systemic failure to cause a severe injury. Although medical negligence takes many forms, these five errors are particularly common:
- Incorrect or delayed diagnosis;
- Prescription mistakes;
- Birth injuries;
- Surgical errors; and
- Anesthesia mistakes.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Can Patients Reduce Their Risk of Suffering Medical Malpractice?
Many cases of medical malpractice are entirely out of the patient’s control. However, there are steps that hospital patients can take to reduce their risk of suffering medical malpractice:
- Make sure your doctors and nurses know which medications – including prescriptions, supplements and over-the-counter drugs – you are taking;
- Discuss your diagnosis in detail – don’t be afraid to ask questions;
- Double-check every action taken by nurses;
- Make sure your doctors and nurses wash their hands before touching you;
- Speak up if you believe a mistake was made;
- Read the label on your prescriptions to make sure the information is accurate; and
- Ask if any of your medications cause side effects, and double-check your dosage.
4 Categories of Medical Errors
Although there are many types of medical malpractice, the British Medical Journal reports that most errors fall into one of these four categories:
- Diagnosis errors;
- Judgment and skill errors;
- Preventable adverse events; and
- Systemic failures.
If you or a family member suffered an injury or illness due to medical negligence in Alabama, contact Morris Bart, LLC. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and non-economic damages. A medical malpractice lawyer in Birmingham, AL, will handle the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Call 800-537-8185 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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