Are Medical Mistakes a Leading Cause of Death in America?

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Shapiro Law Group

Every year, tens of thousands of patients in American hospitals die from medical mistakes. What is frightening is how high the number is, and medical mistakes are one of the leading causes of death in the country.

According to the Journal of Patient Safety, as many as 210,000 to 440,000 people who go to the hospital for treatment die from a preventable cause. According to the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, medical mistakes contributed to the deaths of 180,000 people in 2010.

What Are The Most Common Mistakes?

Of the several medical mistakes that can be made, physicians and surgeons usually make them. Mistakes among physicians include diagnostic errors, medication errors and birth injuries. In fact, a large number of successful medical malpractice suits are filed to compensate patients who were diagnosed too late to treat a serious medical condition.

Mistakes among physicians include operating on the wrong patient, performing the wrong procedure or leaving surgical tools in a patient.

What Can I Do If I Have Been the Victim of a Medical Error?

Proving negligence in medical malpractice can be extremely difficult, and it will take someone who has experience dealing with cases. An attorney can go through the difficult process of sifting through medical records and hiring other professionals to help build your case.

Medical malpractice lawsuits require a lot of evidence to demonstrate that a physician or hospital harmed a victim through medical negligence. Shapiro Law Group has decades of experience fighting for victims who have lost loved ones and faced serious injury through medical malpractice.

Shapiro Law Group – Serving the Tampa Bay Area

What Our Clients Say

“My dad lost his fingers on one hand due to malpractice after a successful surgery that did not involve fingers. For months we were told it was because of debris in his blood. It was not. Mr. Shapiro and his associates were relentless in getting the medical records until the "missing" page was sent. Then they had the hard and arduous job of finding a doctor willing to testify. An informative video and audio with the doctor's testimony was presented. Case closed. Because of their due diligence, a satisfactory settlement was reached. Mr. Shapiro's law firm worked hard, were extremely thorough, professional, and kept in constant communication throughout the whole stressful ordeal. Mr. Shapiro still remembers my parents and keeps in touch with my mom, even after 15 years have passed. That alone is impressive.”

Patti A.

“The Shapiro Law Group represented our daughter, family, and reputation in winning our daughters case that was due to a catastrophic injury. We interviewed many lawyers and felt Mr. Shapiro would ultimately do what was best for our family. Being involved in a lawsuit is very difficult, emotional, and exhausting. If it weren’t for the Shapiro Law Group fighting for our daughter and family, I don’t know where we would be now. They are very thorough, knowledgeable, and know what needs to be done. Lawsuits can take a very long time, and we knew that Shapiro Law Group would not give up. They did whatever was necessary to help our daughter. We can’t thank Mr. Shapiro enough for all he has done for so many! During a very difficult situation in our lives, the Shapiro Law Group went above and beyond in guiding our family in helping our daughter. We would highly recommend this firm. Thank you,”

Stephanie P.

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D. Harrison