What Is My Risk of Death from a Medical Error?: It’s Higher than You Might Imagine

Half a Million People Die Every Year as a Result of Medical Errors

Reputable studies have confirmed that 440,000 people die every year because of preventable medical errors. That means more than the entire population of Wichita, Kansas is killed yearly by a preventable medical error. Preventable medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States and cost billions of dollars a year. The lost lives are priceless.

The Hard Facts

✓ 440,000 patients die every year from preventable medical errors. [FN1]

✓ One in three patients who are admitted to the hospital will experience a medical error. [FN2]

✓ Studies of wrong site, wrong surgery, wrong patient procedures show that “never events” are happening at an alarming rate of up to 40 times per week in U.S. hospitals. [FN3]

What Can I do If I am a Victim of a Medical Error?

Fortunately, our civil justice system gives families of patients who have died or have been injured by medical malpractice an avenue to seek accountability. It also provides an incentive to health care providers to improve their patient care. Removing accountability and incentive leaves people at risk for more injuries from negligent medical care and does nothing more than pad the insurance industry’s bottom line. When a physician fails to follow their own rules or live up to reasonable standards, patients and their families suffer. Whether it is undiagnosed illness, failure to follow procedures, or neglect, the careless mistakes can have life-altering consequences.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of suffering from a medical error or you have lost a loved one, you need experienced medical malpractice attorneys to competently guide you. We have decades of medical malpractice experience, substantial resources and a network of experts to bring your medical malpractice claim to trial and obtain a recovery for you. Remember–You always get two lawyers for the price of one. You always get the no fee promise. If we do not win your case, you owe nothing.

If you or a loved one have been a victim of medical malpractice, contact Wall Huntington by calling 316-265-6000 or by completing our online inquiry form for a free evaluation of your situation.

Citations

FN1 Journal of Patient Safety
FN2 Health Affairs
FN3 Archives of Surgery