By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    mosquito misting spray to fight malaria
    Avoid Malaria with Mosquito Misting Systems
    June 12, 2023
    Medical Surveys
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    Glutathione
    What Are The Benefits of Glutathione?
    January 22, 2024
    Latest News
    6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
    September 10, 2025
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Tips for Older Travelers
    April 14, 2012
    Anti-RUC Suit Challenges Process for Setting Doc Pay Scales
    October 25, 2011
    Math Matters: Dosing Errors Can Be Deadly
    May 1, 2012
    Latest News
    Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
    September 9, 2025
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Tragedy in Numbers: 5 Facts About Medical Malpractice
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Tragedy in Numbers: 5 Facts About Medical Malpractice
Policy & Law

Tragedy in Numbers: 5 Facts About Medical Malpractice

James Wilson
James Wilson
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

 

Doctors and medical professionals have a professional obligation to provide their patient with a level of care that promotes the health and well-being of the patient. This understanding is the basis of every visit we make to a medical professional. We want them to uphold their duty to help improve our physical health and well being.

Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Every year, thousands of Americans suffer at the hands of their doctors, leaving them physically injured or incapacitated. Preventable mistakes cause lasting harm. Here are the shocking statistics behind medical malpractice in the US.

440,000

More Read

The Shortage of Healthcare Workers and Deliverers
What Paul Krugman Doesn’t Know About Health Reform
Musings on 2012 Health IT
How the Pharmacy Management System Helped The Healthcare Industry?
The Downer of High Altitude Sickness

Every year, between 210,000 and 440,000 patients experience complications caused by human error that ultimately leads to their death. This makes preventable medical errors the third-leading cause of the death in the United States, behind only heart disease and cancer. More people die from medical errors than drug overdoses. Be aware of the statistics of wrongful death from medical malpractice and if you or your loved one falls victim to malpractice, be aware that you may be entitled to compensation.

80%

Medical malpractice is far more widespread than most people imagine. In fact, 80% of problems that arise in the US health system are due to human error. The top five areas where human errors occur, and medical malpractice allegations are made, are within the diagnosis, surgery, treatment, obstetrics, and anesthesia.

30%

Unfortunately, the patient and their family are only informed that a medical error occurred in 30% of cases. This means that there is a culture of cover-up within the medical system. Doctors try to avoid telling their patients about mistakes out of fear of being sued.

However, if they are caught trying to cover up an incident of medical malpractice, the consequences can be far more damaging. If you detect you or your loved one was the victim of a medical error, or that your doctor or medical professional is trying to cover anything up, contact a skilled medical malpractice lawyer to find out how much you could be entitled to.

$195,000

The average payout for a medical malpractice case in 2013 was $195,000. With 95% of cases being settled out of court, the good news is that if you have suffered at the hands of your doctor or surgeon, there is support and compensation available.

Every year, between $17 and $29 billion is dished out to victims of medical malpractice in hospitals in the United States. If all the instances of medical malpractice led to a claim, the figure would be far higher. Currently, only one in eight preventable medical errors results in a malpractice claim.

One in Six

Among doctors that have five or more medical malpractice cases against them, only one in six receives disciplinary action from state medical boards. This suggests that although malpractice is commonplace, very little is being done at a local level to tackle the problem and bring the number of preventable accidents down.

Medical malpractice attorneys and lawyers are here to ensure the right people are held accountable for their mistakes and to offer you support on your crusade to get the justice you deserve. They cannot reverse the mistake, but they can ease the financial burden that incidents of medical malpractice have placed on you and your family.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By James Wilson
James is a freelance writer and blogger. He loves to write on wellness, tech and E-Health.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Repeal and Do What Exactly?

March 31, 2012
immigrant healthcare
Policy & Law

Can Criminal Records Keep Immigrants from Getting Healthcare?

December 13, 2023

High Quality, Low Cost HealthCare Video Interview Series: Dr Ricardo Bello Talks Reducing Readmissions @MontefioreNYC

April 2, 2013

China – Future Obesity Treatment Market

March 7, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?