In May 2016, a study published in the British Medical Journal revealed errors in health care facilities may be the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. The new research, a fresh look at four large studies, found that medical mistakes kill an estimated 251,000 patients in the U.S. every year – a substantially higher number than previously reported.
Seventeen years ago, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published a landmark report concluding that mistakes in medical care were responsible for as many as 98,000 annual deaths in the U.S. Medical errors can be prevented. Great strides have occurred in treating cancers, and death from heart disease has been steadily declining. The medical profession now needs to address medical errors.
For nearly four decades, our firm has successfully represented people whose lives were forever altered by inexcusable medical errors. Prescription medication mistakes, interactions and overdoses lead to heart attacks, strokes and other permanent organ damage. Incorrect and delayed diagnoses impair patients’ chances of successful treatment or a cure. Unnecessary surgeries and avoidable surgical mistakes have disturbing outcomes. Bad prenatal care and bad delivery room practice lead to dire consequences. We are committed to holding medical care providers responsible.
Tragically, the widespread problem of medical errors in the U.S. is not going away. The medical profession does not appear capable of curing this problem. The award-winning medical malpractice attorneys at Anapol Weiss will continue to fight for justice when careless acts cause catastrophic injury to patients.
