It’s human nature to make mistakes; but in the medical field, a small mistake can lead to catastrophic damage. In 1999, the Harvard Medical Practice Study published a report entitled To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System that explored and evaluated the accidental harm done to patients while in the care of American hospitals.

This study found that up to 98,000 deaths occur annually due to medical error, a figure that has been studied for decades by medical professionals.

While great effort has been made in the years following this study to improve conditions, The Journal of American Medical Associates estimates that the number of deaths due to adverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT) is actually increasing, with the number of injuries suffered per year estimated at a much higher figure.

If you have been adversely affected by medical neglect or error, let’s explore what constitutes medical malpractice, what a malpractice lawsuit can do for you, and the benefits of hiring a legal team to fight for you.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other registered health professional makes a catastrophic error in care resulting in the patient’s suffering, whether from a long-term health complication or an undue financial burden.

These cases involve either accidental or purposeful harm inflicted and hidden by a health professional.

Examples of medical malpractice can include internal injuries from surgical errors, infant health complications from a labor delivery, errors in distributing medication, incorrect diagnosis resulting in unnecessary treatments, failure or refusal to treat a patient, and much more.

How Can A Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Benefit Me?

According to a study on deaths due to preventable medical errors, only 8,000 individual payments went out to victims of medical malpractice in Illinois during the 13-year period between 1990 and 2003.

If hundreds of thousands of victims are suffering each year, why are these numbers so low? Many aren’t able to file, choose not to, or they don’t have a legal team powerful enough to take on the medical industry.

When you contact a top law firm and file a medical malpractice lawsuit, you will benefit physically, mentally, and financially. A lawsuit can bring you peace of mind, help you seek justice for your injuries, and allow you to decrease your mountain of debt.

Why Should I Seek Legal Help?

Did you know that Doctors win almost 80% of medical negligence cases brought against them in the state of Illinois? In order to fight your medical malpractice lawsuit using the most efficient and aggressive means possible, you must enlist the help of a qualified law professional.

If you have been the victim of malpractice, your doctor is likely going to be the last one to admit fault. You need a legal team that can gather evidence of foul play, document your physical or financial injuries, and fight for compensation for your suffering.

This is not a battle you want to fight alone; consider calling a personal injury attorney today to discuss how to move forward after a medical malpractice incident.

Conclusion

To err is indeed human. However, in the medical field, an error can lead to a long-term disability or even death. In over 20 years, the rate of accidental injury and death related to adverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT) is increasing, not decreasing.

As this rate increases, so does the likelihood that you or a loved one will experience an injurious or fatal medical error when you’re seeking the life-saving treatment you need.

When you are the victim of medical negligence or error, don’t wait to call a medical malpractice lawyer. Assemble a strong legal team that can take on the medical industry and fight for compensation after a traumatic incident.