Medical Malpractice: Facts You May Not Know | Citrus County Medical Malpractice Lawyers Whittel & Melton

Unintentional injuries and mistakes made by medical health professionals are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 200,955 patient deaths in 2020 alone.

When we get sick, we go to a trusted physician for medical treatments and procedures that will improve our health, not worsen our condition. Sadly, numerous patients die every year in hospitals across the U.S. due to preventable medical errors. Lawsuits against doctors and hospitals alleging medical negligence vary by state, but annually there are about 85,000 medical malpractice claims filed each year.

Here are five medical malpractice facts that are less widely known, but should be something on everyone’s radar:

1. Most medical malpractice claims arise from the misdiagnosis of an illness, injury, or disease. The most commonly misdiagnosed cancer is lymphoma as the symptoms associated with this blood cancer are also associated with less severe conditions.
2. Medical negligence can happen at any time over the course of a patient’s care: during the diagnostic phase, during treatment, during a surgical procedure, through prescribed medications, and even during follow-up care.
3. A good amount of medical malpractice cases stem from sexual misconduct from a medical professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or caregiver.
4. One out of every three patients will be a victim of medical malpractice while in the hospital for treatment.
5. One out of every 5 patients will be given incorrect medical dosages during their hospital stay.

What You Need to Know About Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Anytime a person suffers harm because of a medical error, they can file a medical malpractice lawsuit for financial compensation for their lost wages, medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and pain and suffering.

In order for a lawsuit to be successful, there are 3 things that must be proven by your Medical Malpractice Lawyer in court. 1.) a physical or emotional injury must have been caused by a medical professional; 2.) sufficient evidence must be linked to the injury and the medical professional in question; 3.) a breach of duty by the medical professional must be demonstrated showing that a medical professional of the same education and training would have acted differently when faced with a similar situation./p>

Medical malpractice cases are often complex and can take years to resolve. These are cases that require the legal know how of a skilled medical malpractice lawyer. If you have been the victim of a medical error or negligence by a medical provider or hospital in Citrus County, our Citrus County Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you understand if you have a claim worth pursuing. We take all medical malpractice claims on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no legal fees until your case is won. Let us help you – call us now at 352-726-0078 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.