Medical Malpractice: A Look At Statistics From A NY Personal Injury Attorney

Clients can file for medical malpractice when a doctor or other health care provider treats a patient negligently or in an unskilled manner. The negligence must have been significant, the standard of care lower than expected, and an injury caused in order to sue for medical malpractice. You may be unsure as to whether or not you have a case.

• Once every 43 minutes a malpractice suit is paid out.
• In 2012, NY paid out over $763 billion in malpractice suits
• 31% of malpractice payouts were because if negligence that resulted in death.

Common Malpractice Cases

• Anesthesia Errors: 3% of payouts in 2012. Improper administration of anesthesia can result in liver damage, brain injury and death.
• Childbirth Errors: 11% of malpractice payouts in 2012 were related to obstetrics mistakes. Failure to swiftly perform a c-section when umbilical cords pose a threat, and Erb’s Palsy are common errors that occur during delivery.
• Misdiagnosis or Undiagnosed Condition: 33% of medical malpractice payouts, which totaled over $1.1 trillion in 2012, were due to improper diagnoses.

Appendicitis is a common misdiagnosed condition that is confused with other abdominal conditions, and the patient later suffers serious injury or death. Heart disease is often misdiagnosed and patients with chest pains later go home and die of a heart attack. Cancer that is not properly diagnosed can cause the disease to spread.

Malpractice can occur in all medical situations, including dentistry, surgery, receiving treatments and medication, and monitoring of conditions. If you or someone you love has suffered injury or death at the hands of a negligent health care provider, contact an experienced NY personal injury attorney and we will help you receive the compensation you deserve.