West Palm Beach Medical Malpractice Attorney: Preventable Medical Errors Kill Thousands

Were you injured because of a preventable medical error? These types of medical mistakes are far more common than most people realize. In fact, an Institute of Medicine (IOM) study more than ten years ago estimated that each year, at least 98,000 people die from preventable medical errors at a cost of over $29 billion.

Since then, there has been little improvement and the number of deaths from preventable medical errors may be even higher; the Harvard School of Medicine reports that adverse events during the course of care contribute to the deaths of 180,000 patients every year. This makes preventable medical errors the sixth leading cause of death to Americans. In fact, medical mistakes cause more deaths than Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, or influenza and pneumonia.

Medical errors also cause serious injury. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement estimates there about 15 million incidents of medical harm occur each year. In 2003, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found 181,000 severe injuries were attributed to medical negligence. A Harvard School of Medicine study found that 18% (almost one-in-five!) patients are injured during their hospital stay. The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found similar levels of injury from medical errors among Medicare patients. And, a Healthgrades study of Medicare patients found that 20 percent of medical mistakes are fatal.

Preventable medical errors include:

• Wrong-site surgeries
  
• Wrong procedures
• Hospital-acquired infections
• Medication errors, including wrong doses or wrong medications
• Incorrect specimen labeling
• Laboratory mistakes
• Pressure ulcers or bed sores
• Patient falls
• Patient neglect

When polled, one-third Americans say that they or an immediate family member has experienced a medical error and one-fifth say that such a medical error caused a serious injury or death.

These are epidemic numbers, yet the American public has been led to believe that medical errors are rare and that medical negligence lawsuits occur far too often driving up the cost of health care. In fact, medical mistakes cost tax payers billions of dollars each year and most of those who are injured or die from medical errors do not file a medical negligence claim. A University of Pennsylvania law professor has said, "We have an epidemic of medical malpractice, not of malpractice lawsuits." Preventing medical errors from occurring is the best way to lower health care costs and protect the health and well-being of the American public.

Have you or a loved one been injured by a preventable medical error? You deserve compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses. West Palm Beach medical malpractice attorney Craig Goldenfarb would like to help. For more information, contact the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. at 1-800-GOLD-LAW and ask to schedule a free consultation with a West Palm Beach medical malpractice attorney.