Medical errors lead to approximately 250,000 deaths each year in the United States, making it the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. These shocking statistics highlight the dire consequences that medical malpractice can have on patients and their families. Let’s take a look at what these consequences are.
Financial Burden by a Medical Malpractice Error
According to Adam Zayed, an experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyer, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in patient injury or death. The financial toll taken by medical errors adds up to $20 billion annually. This includes health expenditures, disability, lost income, and additional costs to employers.
For the injured patients and their families, a malpractice case often leads to exorbitant medical bills, lost wages due to inability to work, and expensive legal fees. With over 96% of successful medical malpractice claims settled out of court, many victims walk away with inadequate compensation for their suffering. The average settlement between 2009 and 2014 was $329,565. Although substantial, this amount rarely covers a lifetime of medical expenses and loss of income capacity for seriously injured victims.
Medical Malpractice Can Led To Physical Harm
In many cases, medical malpractice leads to temporary or permanent disability. Surgical errors account for a quarter of all medical negligence claims, leaving many patients disfigured or dependent on assistive devices. Medication errors, misdiagnosis, and anesthesia-related mistakes also frequently cause lasting physical harm.
Sometimes, the damage is irreparable. Seven in every thousand babies are born with birth injuries in the US. Birth injuries due to doctor or hospital negligence can mean a child grows up with cerebral palsy, paralysis, or other disabilities requiring intensive care. Missed cancer diagnoses rob patients of precious treatment time. Such medical errors alter the course of patients’ lives forever.
Psychological Trauma Due To Medical Malpractice
For a patient disabled by medical malpractice, depression, and other psychological effects often follow. Coping with chronic pain, changed physical appearance, and loss of abilities negatively impacts self-esteem and mental health. Post-traumatic stress disorder is also common among medical malpractice victims.
If a loved one dies from medical negligence, their family not only grieves the death itself but also the horrific way in which they lost them. The anger, guilt, and sadness associated with preventable patient deaths lead to anxiety, depression, and difficulty moving forward for surviving family members. These psychological wounds may never fully heal.
Increased Costs and Decreased Access to Cover Medical Malpractice Cases
To cover high medical malpractice payouts, doctors and hospitals raise their fees and insurance premiums. These increased costs get passed on to consumers and insurers. One estimate found that medical liability adds $55.6 billion to the nation’s healthcare costs annually. That means patients end up paying more out of pocket for medical bills. Higher malpractice insurance premiums also lead providers to order excessive tests and procedures to protect themselves from potential lawsuits.
Rising overhead costs and costly malpractice insurance also drive physicians out of high-risk specialties like obstetrics and surgery. These provider shortages reduce patients’ access to essential medical care. Thus, medical malpractice has far-reaching influences on healthcare costs, utilization, and access.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney
If medical negligence has impacted you, talk to a medical malpractice attorney. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options. They will handle the complicated litigation process while you focus on healing. Although financial compensation cannot undo the damage caused, it can provide for your ongoing medical expenses and lost income.
The widespread effects of medical errors on mortality, costs, and population health demonstrate why patient safety must become the top priority. Preventing medical mistakes will require systemic healthcare changes. Until then, medical malpractice will continue destroying lives, eroding patient trust, and reducing the affordability and accessibility of medical care.
