Navigating cases of healthcare malpractice can be a challenging and overwhelming experience. However, understanding how a lawsuit can help you is crucial in seeking justice and compensation. When medical negligence causes harm to you or a loved one, a lawsuit becomes a powerful tool to secure necessary support.
Your decision to file a lawsuit can have broader implications beyond your individual case. It serves as a mechanism to highlight areas of concern within the healthcare system, preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Unfortunately, even in developed countries like the United States, incidents of medical malpractice persist, impacting thousands of lives. For instance, in 2022 and the first three months of 2023, there were 5,313 reported cases of medical malpractice in California alone.
The data, sourced from the National Practitioner Data Bank, indicates a concerning reality of substandard medical care. In this blog, we’ll explore the ways in which pursuing legal action can benefit you in cases of healthcare malpractice.
Medical Device Malfunction
When medical devices malfunction, it poses a significant risk to your health and safety. If you’ve experienced harm due to a malfunctioning medical device, pursuing a lawsuit is a direct way to seek accountability. Taking legal action empowers you to hold manufacturers responsible for the faulty design, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings associated with the malfunction.
Due to malfunctions in medical devices, a large number of patients suffer chronic injuries. A prominent example is the Bard PowerPort device, which has been linked to serious complications. According to TorHoerman Law, individuals using PowerPort devices face an increased likelihood of severe complications or injury resulting from catheter failure.
Individuals affected by these devices are not without options. Those who have suffered injuries or severe consequences are turning to legal action. With the assistance of lawyers, individuals are filing a Bard PowerPort lawsuit to seek compensation for the harm they’ve endured. Seeking legal recourse empowers victims to hold accountable parties responsible and secure needed support after a medical device malfunctions.
Medication Errors
Medication errors pose a significant threat to patient safety, as highlighted by a 2022 OECD report. The report found that about 20% of hospitalized individuals experience harm related to medications.
Moreover, roughly 10% of hospital admissions may be attributed to such medication-related issues. These errors can range from incorrect dosages to administration of the wrong medication, jeopardizing the well-being of patients in healthcare settings.
In cases of medication errors, a lawsuit can be a vital means of seeking accountability. Legal action empowers patients to hold healthcare providers responsible for the harm caused by preventable mistakes in medication management. Through a lawsuit, individuals can pursue compensation for medical expenses, additional treatments, and the emotional distress resulting from medication-related harm.
A lawsuit in cases of medication errors serves as a catalyst for improvement in healthcare practices. It encourages healthcare providers to implement robust systems to prevent such errors in the future. Initiating legal action not only addresses individual grievances but also contributes to the broader goal of enhancing patient safety in the healthcare industry.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can have severe consequences, impacting your health and well-being. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence have found an increase in cases of diagnostic errors. An estimated 795,000 Americans die or face permanent disability annually due to diagnostic errors.
A lawsuit in cases of misdiagnosis serves as a means to seek justice for the physical and emotional toll you may endure. The potential compensation from a lawsuit can assist you in covering medical expenses, ongoing treatments, etc.
The lawsuit can prompt changes in healthcare practices and policies, preventing similar incidents from befalling others. Your decision to pursue legal action sends a powerful message, emphasizing the importance of accurate and timely diagnoses.
Failure to Follow Standards and Protocols
Healthcare providers are expected to adhere to established standards and protocols to ensure patient safety. When failures to follow these standards occur, patients may suffer harm due to preventable mistakes. In such cases, a lawsuit becomes a critical tool for holding healthcare professionals accountable for deviations from accepted practices.
Initiating a lawsuit for failure to follow standards and protocols allows patients to seek justice for the consequences of substandard care. Legal action holds healthcare providers responsible for their deviation from established norms. By taking legal recourse, patients can advocate for their own rights while promoting higher standards within the healthcare system.
A lawsuit serves as a mechanism to prompt changes in healthcare practices and policies. Legal action against healthcare providers failing to follow standards sends a strong message, emphasizing the crucial importance of adhering to established protocols. This, in turn, encourages healthcare facilities to reinforce their adherence to standards, fostering an environment of enhanced patient safety.
Summing Up
A lawsuit can be a powerful ally for individuals navigating the aftermath of healthcare malpractice. Through legal action, patients can pursue compensation for damages, encouraging a safer healthcare environment. Beyond individual cases, lawsuits contribute to the broader effort to improve standards, prompting positive changes and ensuring better care for all.
