It’s now estimated that nearly every American will experience some form of medical malpractice in their lifetime. Here are some of the top causes of medical malpractice:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Childbirth errors
- Prescription errors
- Surgical mistakes
- Improper use of anesthesia
According to a Harvard study, for every 8 medical errors, only one malpractice claim is filed. Without accountability, doctors will continue to make critical mistakes that put their patients’ lives in danger. Here are some of the latest medical malpractice statistics:
- $3.2 trillion – the amount spent on U.S. healthcare
- 17.8% – the percentage of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product occupied by healthcare
- 250,000 – the number of Americans killed by medical mishaps each year (estimate)
- 700 – the number patients who die from medical errors every day
- Medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., behind heart disease and cancer
- 35 million – the number of people hospitalized each year
- 1,000,000+ – the estimated number of injuries each year as a result of malpractice
If you or a family member has suffered an injury or wrongful death from medical malpractice, call a medical malpractice lawyer now, or contact us for a free case evaluation.
The Barnes Firm 1-(800) 800-0000