While you know there are risks associated with any medical procedure, you should never have to worry about getting injured due to a preventable error. However, we know medical mistakes happen regularly in the US. If you need a Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer, you can count on The Weitz Firm to be by your side. We will work to secure the compensation you deserve. Today, we want to talk about whether or not medical mistakes in this state are dropping, or whether they are just not being reported.
The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority says that they learned or around 350 incidents of people being killed or seriously injured due to medical care in the state last year. Regina Hoffman, the PPSA executive director, says that it is about half as many as in 2005.
Hoffman is quick to point out that this drop in hurt patients is not proof that there are fewer medical mistakes. She says that reporting is not even across the board and that many hospitals make far fewer reports than others, despite state laws that mandate the reporting of harmful events.
We know that Johns Hopkins researchers estimate that 250,000 people die each year in the US due to medical mistakes. Based on their research, we have to question whether or not the reporting requirements for Pennsylvania are strict or accurate enough.
Reports of medical error deaths are only part of the overall picture. Many millions of patients survive medical mistakes each year in this country and are left dealing with the consequences. This can include major medical expenses, emotional and psychological damages, and lost income.
Some of the common causes of medical mistakes in the US include:
A Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney can help determine whether you have been the victim of medical malpractice. Remember, it is not just doctors and surgeons who make medical errors. Think about how many medical professionals you see each year: optometrists, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, regular hospital staff, and more. All of these professionals have a duty to protect patients.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a medical mistake, you may be eligible for compensation. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we firmly believe that careless and negligent healthcare professionals should be held responsible for their actions. Let our team investigate what happened so we can secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:
If you need a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling 267-587-6240.
We are highly selective in the cases we undertake to ensure that can give each client his full attention. You can schedule an appointment for a personal injury consultation at our Philadelphia office by calling us, or by filling out our online intake form.
