The question of deaths caused by medical errors has been in the news recently. Numbers have been tossed about carelessly, sometimes from seemingly authoritative sources, causing controversy. Yet the basic question stands: How many deaths are caused by medical errors?
Famed scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson ignited the latest uproar by tweeting that about 500 Americans die every 48 hours due to medical errors. His source? A hotly disputed 1999 study from the Institute of Medicine.
Response from the medical community was swift, referring to the numbers as “impossibly high.” Critics decried the institute’s reporting as irresponsible, citing its overly broad definition of medical errors, its faulty methodology and other studies that contradict its findings.
While Neil deGrasse Tyson later apologized for his tweet, the central fact remains: Even one death from a medical error is too many.
What Can Go Wrong? Anything.
The list of potential medical errors resulting from doctor, nurse or hospital staff malpractice is long, frightening and, for victims, life-threatening. Examples include:
- Misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis
- Failure to diagnose an illness
- Improper treatment of a disease or illness
- Failure to obtain proper consent prior to a procedure
- Surgical errors, including wrong-site surgery and misuse of surgical tools
- Anesthesia errors
- Emergency room errors
- Medication errors
- Infection
- Birth, labor and delivery injuries
- Miscommunication among health-care professionals
Hurt by So-Called Medical Experts? Contact a Real Legal Expert.
We should feel safe in hospitals. Too often, though, they can be the source of pain and suffering. If you’ve been the victim of a medical error in central New York, you are likely overwhelmed by health challenges, emotional and mental trauma, financial desperation and legal obstacles.
The situation is immeasurably worse if your family has suffered the loss of a loved one due to medical malpractice. The hospital and medical staff are not going to admit any fault, and instead hide behind their lawyers. Their insurance company, meanwhile, will try to pressure you into accepting a financial settlement that comes nowhere close to compensating you for your medical bills and loss of income.
The Syracuse-based medical malpractice attorneys at Cherundolo Law Firm, PLLC, have extensive experience handling cases just like yours. Led by John Cherundolo, a former Acting New York Supreme Court Justice, they know your case means someone has violated accepted medical practices.
They will investigate your case thoroughly, learn who is to blame, hold them accountable, and secure the financial compensation that you and your family deserve. They will treat you with professionalism and compassion so that you can focus on heal. Contact them today for a free consultation. If your injuries prevent you from visiting their office in Syracuse, they will visit you.
