Medical Malpractice Lawyers NYC helping People Who Sustained Damage due to Medical Errors
When you check into the hospital or undergo a medical procedure your focus is on getting better. But, a new study released by BMJ in early May 2016, a weekly peer medical journal and is one of the world’s oldest general medical journals, demonstrates that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States.
According to researchers, over 250,000 people every year die as a result of medical errors. The first two most common causes of death are heart disease and cancer. More people die every year because of a medical mistake than are killed in car accidents. Although the medical community has known for years about the growing danger of medical errors, this study was a shock to the medical establishment. “Medical error” is not even listed as an official cause of death in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The ICD is the standard for maintaining medical records. It is the official list of codes that are used in billing and health record management. But, you won’t find a code for death caused by medical error.
Problems Associated With Medical Errors
While 250,000 deaths a year is a stunning figure, most medical errors do not kill patients. But, even when a medical error is not fatal, the results can still be devastating to the patient and their family. Some medical errors can result in paralysis. Having to undergo multiple additional medical procedures to correct the problem, drug overdose, chronic pain, and many other forms of pain and suffering.
Most money is poured into efforts to discover new cures and treatments. However, one of the most common medical errors is mistaken diagnosis. When a patient is not properly diagnosed they are not given access to the treatments that may save their life. A patient’s condition may steadily worsen over months while with the right treatment they would be healthy in a few weeks.
Causes of Medical Errors
Medical errors are so common not because doctors are getting worse, but because the healthcare system has consistently failed to provide a systemic response to the problem. Often errors are a side effect of fragmented insurance networks, poorly coordinated care, and failure to implement even low-cost follow-up procedures.
Patients are rarely seen by a single medical professional throughout the course of their treatment. A single failure to make a note in a medical chart may cause the next care provider to miss a critical piece of information. The breakdown in communication can delay the healing process, or in the worst of cases, result in permanent disability or death of the patient.
What You Can Do If Suffered Damages Due To Medical Errors ?
It is important that patients and their families become their own health care advocates. Talk to your doctors about the treatment plan. Make sure to speak up when you feel something is not right. When you are handed over to a new set of medical professionals, make sure they are on the same page as your previous medical team. Keep a record of all your previous treatments.
If you or a loved one has suffered because of a medical error and medical malpractice in New York , you need to understand your rights. Your priority is to get healthy. However, you also need to understand your legal rights. New York Medical Malpractice Lawyer of The Rybak Firm, PLLC., provide Free Consultations with one of our Medical Malpractice Attorney to help you understand your rights.
Pointing out medical errors may help prevent future mistakes. It can potentially save someone else’s life.
Medical Malpractice Lawyers Near Me
Our offices are located in Brooklyn, NY. We serve the whole NYC Metro Area and represent clients in every borough of New York City. Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers are able to travel to you if you can’t meet at our offices. We also provide free transportation to and from our offices.
Our office address is:
1810 Voorhies Ave
Suite #7
Brooklyn, NY 11235