Battling the Myths of Medical Malpractice
Fact 1. Medical malpractice happens often.
Annually, it is estimated that anywhere from 40-80,000 individuals die as a result of medical malpractice. From simple errors with very little repercussion, to catastrophic tragedies – Medical malpractice occurs on a daily basis across the country.
As the victim of medical malpractice, it is important to seek help. Your health care providers, insurance companies and even family and friends can perpetuate the falsehoods and guilt surrounding medical malpractice. The bottom line is if you have suffered an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, they deserve to pay.
A large part of what I do as an experienced medical malpractice attorney is to educate my clients and their loved ones! Medical malpractice is not preying on the human aspect of health care – Every physician and health care professional will lose a patient or have an unpredictable scenario come into play.
Medical malpractice claims ensure careless, negligent individuals are held accountable.
Fact 2. Malpractice claims DO NOT drive up healthcare costs or drive up insurance rates, driving out the good doctors.
Being bullied by the insurance industry and folklore surrounding medical malpractice is the foundation of many thought processes on the topic. Decent, law abiding citizens in general are not confrontational, and will avoid causing issues – Even at the expense of a lifetime of pain and suffering or worse – the loss of a life. Financial falsehoods only serve to perpetuate this behavior.
The cost of malpractice insurance is a FRACTION of the costs caused by medical malpractice and other errors. Conservatively, costly medical errors and malpractice is about 50% higher than the cost of medical malpractice insurance – and that is a low estimate.
Furthermore, the results and continuity of care required after a medical mistake can be a burden on the tax payers, not on the healthcare system or insurance. Malpractice related insurance payouts are less than a single (1) percent of all costs related to insurance and healthcare in the US. This has remained consistent for almost two decades, and we still see rising costs and blame in our insurance rates each year.
Trust me when I tell you, even the good physicians are not opposed to legitimate medical malpractice claims – Bad doctors give a bad reputation to any health care institution.
Fact 3. Doctors are not always investigated and/or disciplined by a medical board.
In Ohio for example, a physician may or may not be reported, investigated or disciplined by the Ohio state medical board. How is this possible?
Similar to other crimes and criminal activity, reporting it can be the difference in preventing future occurrence. Holding a negligent medical professional accountable can save a life in the future.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of medical malpractice, call me immediately. As your Ohio medical malpractice attorney, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 877.944.4373
