When you go to a healthcare provider, you expect them to provide the best care possible. However, there are times when the services provided fall short, which could result in serious injuries and medical malpractice claims.
In the United States, approximately 251,000 people, about half the population of Wyoming, are killed each year due to medical errors. This figure makes medical malpractice the third leading cause of death in America, after heart disease and cancer, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Here are the most common medical malpractice claims in the US.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis can lead you down a path of unnecessary treatments and further harm, causing your condition to worsen.
This error tops the list of medical malpractice claims in the US, accounting for nearly one-third of all claims, according to Fierce Healthcare.
Surgical errors
Surgical mistakes happen more frequently than you might expect, as surgeons are the most commonly sued healthcare professionals.
About one-quarter of all malpractice claims against healthcare providers are due to surgical errors, including operating on the wrong body part, accidentally leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or performing the incorrect procedure.
Prescription errors
Medication is supposed to help you get well. Receiving the wrong prescription, the incorrect dosage, or a combination of both can create harmful consequences that range from minor discomfort to life-threatening conditions.
Over 1.5 million Americans experience this form of medical malpractice annually, causing $3.5 billion in damages.
Accidents can happen at any time in life. Thus, it is crucial to know your rights in case injury occurs.
It is also important to remember that you have the right to competent medical care and to hold responsible parties accountable when safety standards are not met.
If you or someone close to you has been a victim of medical malpractice, it is critical to act immediately, not just to seek justice for yourself, but to also prevent similar harm from happening to others.
