Doctor Malpractice
Doctor malpractice has become a significant problem in the United States and occurs when a physician acts negligently. In fact, doctor errors are not uncommon: A 1999 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report revealed that medical mistakes cause about 98,000 deaths a year. And statistics show that errors in the healthcare setting are responsible for hundreds of thousands more injuries annually.
These numbers are distressing, especially since doctor malpractice is underreported because 1) patients may be unaware they’ve been the victim of malpractice, and 2) doctors are afraid of the legal and professional repercussions. In January 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the findings of a large-scale doctor error survey. According to doctors surveyed:
- 56% reported involvement with a serious error
- 74% reported involvement with a minor error
- 66% said they’d had a “near miss”
At Burke & Eisner, our attorneys represent the victims of doctor malpractice and our goal is to help injured individuals and families obtain fair compensation.
Have You Been Injured by Doctor Malpractice?
There are many types of doctor malpractice, but some of the more common instances of doctor malpractice involve:
- Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis
- Surgical errors such as operating on the wrong body part or wrong patient
- Inadequate sterilization
- Leaving instruments in the body after a surgical procedure
- Misinterpretation of x-rays or other diagnostic imaging scans
- Failure to treat a patient in a timely manner
Individuals who are harmed by doctor malpractice may suffer a variety of health consequences, ranging in nature from minor to severe to fatal. Infection, nerve or organ damage, paralysis, coma, and bleeding are among the more common consequences of medical errors.
Doctor Malpractice & Your Legal Rights
All medical professionals, especially doctors, are obligated to adhere to certain standards of care for the health and safety of their patients. Although malpractice is not always intentional, doctors should take precautions to minimize the risk of an error. Unfortunately, there are doctors who abuse drugs and alcohol, and there are doctors who are just careless. Of course, there are numerous other factors that contribute to doctor malpractice, but whatever the cause, victims have legal rights.
Specifically, individuals harmed by doctor malpractice may be entitled to compensation for:
- Costs associated with medical treatment
- Lost wage reimbursement
- Permanent disability expenses
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
When doctor malpractice results in death, families may be able to recover money for their loved one’s funeral expenses as well as for their own losses and suffering.
A statute of limitations applies to all malpractice claims, so if you suspect you have a case, it’s in your best interest to act as soon as possible. Contact Burke & Eisner today. One of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys will evaluate your claim free of charge and advise you of your legal options.
Three ways to Contact Us:
-- Fill out the Contact Us form in the Upper Right part of this page.
-- Use the Contact Us form located on the Instant Answer Page
-- Call us: 1-800-838-0800
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