Akron Medical Malpractice Attorney

First, we want to give you some scary statistics that you may not be aware of. Johns Hopkins University researchers say that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the country and cause around 250,000 fatalities annually. Let that number sink in for a minute.

If that is not bad enough, we know that millions of people survive medical errors and are left dealing with the consequences. In some cases, people are permanently disabled due to a medical error.

Think of how many medical professionals you see regularly. We bet the list is extensive: primary care doctor, ER staff, nurses, pharmacists, optometrists, and more. While most of these professionals operate with a high level of care, it only takes one mistake to change someone’s life.

But, what kind of mistakes cause major harm to patients?

Today, we will briefly review some of the common ways people are hurt due to medical malpractice. Please know that this is not a complete list and you should always check with an attorney about your particular case.

Infections: We hear about infections all the time and we know that nearly one in every 30 hospital patients in the US acquires an infection.

Medication Errors: Millions of people are injured due to a medication mistake each year in the US. These errors happen when a patient receives the wrong medication or the wrong dosage of their correct medication. In some cases, we find that patients do not receive their medications at all. Not only do these mistakes happen within a hospital setting, but also at the pharmacy.

Surgical Mistakes: Surgery is a delicate balance between many healthcare professionals at once, all of whom play an important role. A surgical mistake can be devastating and hospitals/surgical centers should have strict protocols in place to prevent errors.

Diagnosing Mistakes: Around 12 million people a year are harmed due to diagnosing mistakes that can lead to a patient receiving delayed treatment or no treatment at all.