Although you might see coverage of a high-profile multi-million dollar medical malpractice lawsuit from time to time, surgical errors, misdiagnosis cases, and other instances of medical malpractice are much more common than you might think. Many patients adversely affected by the actions or neglect of a doctor or hospital never pursue their cases and find justice—and many, many more patients never even know or understand that they are victims of medical malpractice, our personal injury attorney adds.
Here Are Some Recent Statistics Concerning Medical Malpractice:
· An estimated 225,000 people die each year from some form of medical malpractice, from incorrect dosages to surgical errors, to wrong diagnosis. This is the third most common reason for death in the United States.
· Only 2% of those who suffer from medical malpractice ever file claims for compensation. Even fewer ever receive compensation for their injury, failing health, or pain and suffering.
· A 2002 study by Healthgrades found that an average of 195,000 hospital deaths in America were due to potentially preventable medical errors.
· One statistic shows that 12,000 people per annum die from unnecessary surgery.
· Between the years of 1990 and 2003, 8,151 medical malpractice payment reports were made against doctors in Illinois.
· Between the years of 1990 and 2003, 2,570 medical malpractice reports filed against physicians in Indiana.
· Between the years of 1990 and 2003, 1,012 medical malpractice reports were filed against medical professionals in New Mexico.
· According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, a full half of medical malpractice suits are filed against practicing surgeons.
· The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that 106,000 patients die each year because of the negative effects of their medication.
· The Institute of Medicine estimates that medication errors are the most common of medical errors, with 1.5 million people suffering injury from these mistakes each year.
