Medical Malpractice Causes More Deaths Than People May Realize

Did you know that medical malpractice is a leading cause of death in the United States? That’s right, medical malpractice is right at the top of the list of common causes of American deaths, right alongside such notorious killers as cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is estimated that between two hundred thousand and four hundred thousand patients die every year in American hospitals as a result of preventable medical errors.

Many people are completely unaware of just how many people die as a result of medical malpractice. Those who are most likely to know are those who have lost a loved one to medical malpractice, or who have been injured as a result of medical negligence. Unfortunately, the general lack of awareness about the frequency with which medical malpractice occurs means that many people are not aware of the risks that may be present when they obtain medical care.

For generations, people have been very trusting of those who work in the medical profession. When people see the amazing things that doctors can do, and when they hear stories about medical miracles, their faith in the medical profession becomes even stronger. While it is true that modern medicine saves lives and that doctors are, by and large, highly skilled individuals who dedicate their lives to helping people, the blind faith with which many people approach medical treatment is part of the reason that medical malpractice happens as often as it does.

When patients take an active role in their health care, they may be able to prevent themselves from becoming victims of medical negligence. Things like asking your doctor questions about an upcoming medical procedure if you are unsure of what to expect, or calling your doctor after your surgery if something looks or feels different than what he or she has told you that you might expect can go a long way towards making sure that you get the care that you need. When it is time for a surgery, be prepared to advocate for yourself, or being someone to advocate for you and voice concerns as they arise. Patients who are aware of what should be going on before, during, and after a procedure can call attention to things which seem awry, and they may be able to stop an act of medical negligence before it happens.

Sometimes, everything goes well during a procedure, but a person may die from becoming ill with a severe infection as they recover from their surgery in the hospital. Patients who educate themselves about preventing illness and infection in a hospital setting can takes steps to keep themselves safe and, hopefully infection free. Likewise, knowing how to navigate receiving medications from the pharmacy and learning how to read medication labels carefully and take medications properly can help you to catch pharmacy errors before you become injured by ingesting too high of a dose of a medication or the wrong medication.

If you or someone that you love has been injured by medical malpractice, it is essential that you get help from a Tennessee Medical Malpractice Attorney right away. The knowledgeable Tennessee Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC are here to help you. We believe that the victims of medical negligence deserve top quality legal representation. To learn more about how we can help you, please call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a time to discuss your case.  At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.

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